The blink of an eye or so it seems, is all the time it takes for our life... our world as we know it to be turned completely upside down.
Sometimes this happens by our own doing, other times not. Either way it can hurt so much we feel as though our entire being has been devoured and spit out. But through all of this....how we handle the pain...anguish...the disappointment....and who or what we look to for guidance to help get us through this dark....most painful period in our life, is what is going to get us through it or bury us deeper.

The disaster survivors that I've worked with over the past 18 years have experienced many of these same feelings and emotions. Many have lost family members....others have lost "everything" they owned.
Just imagine for a second.... Look all around you... see the pictures of the children....your daughters favorite doll.....the pictures of family members no longer with us....the family heirlooms...the things that can never be replaced...
Now close your eyes.... You may be in your retirement years now...but if not, imagine you are. You've lived a modest life, you've worked hard and paid your house off... you don't have much to go on but you feel pretty confident that you'll be ok through your remaining years... WHEN IT HAPPENS... in the blink of an eye the powerful storm has flooded your house as well as all your neighbors houses up to and in some cases higher than the roofs. You've been responsible, you have insurance.... but you couldn't get flood insurance... and why would you anyway? You are nowhere near a flood zone. You are in your 60's...70's...80's...90's... You thought you had planned for the remainder of your life and now its ALL gone! You are in shock... many of you are past the years of picking up and starting over... What do you do?....Who do you turn to in this time of devastation?
GOD is the one constant... the rock... the never changing force we need to look to... HE is the One that can and will get us through these times that seem as though they'll never end. It doesn't mean its going to be easy... but what will you....what will I.... learn from these challenges?
There are times we will never know the "why" of things while we're here on earth. Will we allow them to make us stronger or pull us down? Will we use what we've been through to help us understand what others are going through? Will we even be....dare I say it?? ..... Less judgemental? No matter how you think you would handle a situation... please take my word for it.... YOU REALLY HAVE NO IDEA.... until you experience it yourself.
When you encounter that rude salesperson... restaurant server... or whomever you might come in contact with (I'm talking to myself as well).... Remember... you have NO IDEA their situation or even how you would handle it if you were in their shoes.

The Disaster Response Team is comprised of wonderful volunteers who are willing to "be there" for these disaster survivors who may have just lost everything. To be there to listen... to assure... to hug.... to provide emotional, spiritual and physical support to those who have nowhere to turn. Home cooked meals are provided to the communities in the disaster areas.... volunteers come from all over the U.S. to help "clean up" as well as helping to rebuild lives and homes. Building material, new clothing and household supplies are provided for those without/under insured. If you haven't been a volunteer with The Disaster Response Team (DRT) please consider it. It will change your life forever. If you have volunteered... then you know what I mean and we are so thankful to you.

DRT is in desperate need of funding to continue. The economic times have been rough on everyone and we understand that.... it's also been rough on donations coming into DRT. Please consider making this mission a priority in your 2011 budget... Please ask your church congregations to make it a monthly priority as well.
We are always in need of volunteers in the disaster areas... whether you can come for a day...week... month... you are so needed.
We are especially in need of volunteers willing to be trained as coordinators and who can be at a disaster at least 3 weeks at a time.
Please consider and pray about these needs. YOU are needed!