This past week, our church in Knoxville hosted 200 evacuees from New Orleans in anticipation of a potential disaster caused by Hurricane Gustav. It was amazing to see and hear how they were flown from Louisiana in such a humane way, then given a clean and relatively comfortable place to sleep that was not crowded, and three wholesome meals a day. They even had EMT’s, nurses, and doctors present for any medical needs they may have had. Our church also provided services for the adults, and an instant VBS for the kids. I cannot imagine how difficult it would be to leave my life and home, go to another state to live with people I do not know, and wonder if I would even have a place to go back to once it is all over. However, given the circumstances, many of them were very appreciative of their accommodations.
I think of the site in Guatemala where we have been working. 15,000 people were displaced from their homes due to a mudslide that collapsed portions of the surrounding mountains. There was no Red Cross, FEMA, or any other agency to help them. Many of them literally ran for their lives. There are 12-15 overly-crowded shelters where they are now stationed. Most have no bed to sleep on, very little food to eat, and virtually no access to medical treatment. Some went back to the mountain regions, only to pull dead bodies from the mud. Our last team there brought thousands of pounds of food, soap, clothing, and even mattresses to sleep on. We held services, and prayed with many people. There are people in this world that cannot help themselves, and they have little hope for the future. Someone needs to be the hands and feet of Jesus. They need His love. This is why Global Infusion exists.
