Does it take a Disaster?

We once lived in a newer home in a suburban community with 1/3-acre lots and 6-foot tall privacy fences enclosing the back yard. We spoke pleasant greetings to our neighbors on each side in the front of the house, but had no idea who lived behind our backyard fence.  One day a strong wind came and blew down two sections of the back fence.  My young sons peered across the now open two backyards at the kids peering back at them and exclaimed, “It’s Johnny and Matt!”  Their friends from school lived directly behind us and we never knew it.  Do we live in our own little bubble not experiencing the joy of friendship until we are shaken?

Pattie and I just finished two weeks of volunteer flood recovery work in Ellicott City, MD.  We believe God has called us to help others and show a small example of the unconditional love He has for us to others in their time of need.  Most often, we are the ones who are blessed more by this mission than those we serve.  I expect Ellicott City was like most American communities.  A few people know a neighbor or two, but most just receive the friendly nod as we go about our business. On 30 July, a sustained micro burst of rain sent three feet of rushing water down Frederick road through and around homes as it grew to ten feet entering the small business district.  The disaster was over in an hour.  Few people have flood insurance that will cover these type events and no magic government arrives to help the local homeowner. Neighbors helped neighbors survive and then went door-to-door checking on each other. Gayle, a young lady with a big heart and a hearty spirit, began writing down the damages at each home and organizing volunteers to begin the cleanup.  Her efforts were incorporated into the Red Cross’, local church’s, and national faith based group’s relief response list. 

Pattie and I are trained and credentialed by the Southern Baptist Disaster Relief (SBDR) organization. A local Baptist church pastor requested SBDR support a few days after the flood and we deployed to set-up Incident Command and assess damages. 

As recovery efforts began, I saw the community come together with neighbors helping neighbors.  Local donations were collected at a central point for residents and volunteers who could take what they needed.  Gayle organized a Thursday night dinner in an open grassy area near the center of the community.  Local restaurants donated catering services each week. Residents stopped work, ate together, and discussed immediate needs and future plans.

We were blessed to meet, help and pray for:

• The Muslim widow that had nowhere else to turn for help.
• The Hindu man who was discouraged and overwhelmed.
• The Chinese immigrants who have difficulty communicating their needs.
• The Atheist who is confident in doing things on her own.
• The elderly black man who writes scriptures on card board in front of his house.
• The salty former Brit with his dry sense of humor.
• The two Grumpy Old Men that live next to each other.
• The two pastors of an unconventional community church that are meeting needs.
• The homeless man who came out of the woods each day and just started helping.
• The volunteers who said “We are here” and did what was required.
• The local Baptist Church that opened their doors as a command center.
• The young natural leader (rarer than a unicorn) with a big heart. 

I suspect a year from now when most of the rebuilding is complete and people are going about their business, there will be a date set and these people will come together in that small grassy area to share a meal and tell their stories.  Does it take a disaster to bring together our neighborhood, community and nation?  Do we live such an easy existence that we can afford to separate ourselves from our neighbors over personal priorities, petty issues, and superficial differences?

Thanks for keepingupwiththejonesrv.

Outdoor Sports People

Comedian Jeanne Robertson tells the audience “We are NOT outdoor sports people” referring to herself and husband “Left Brain.”  She has a humorous story of a group of middle-aged people rafting down the Colorado River that you should listen to if you want a good laugh (http://www.jeannerobertson.com).  Pattie and I are in our early 50’s and want to experience new and enjoy favorite outdoor activities as long as possible; but I would not say we are outdoor sports people.  Pattie likes to hike more than I do and I like to ride bikes a lot more than she does.  Fortunately, most campgrounds offer opportunities for both.

As we headed east toward the Maine coast, we stopped for a few nights at the military recreation area at Great Pond. Maine. They offer several hiking trails as well as kayak and canoe rentals.  The campground is on the lakeshore after you drive down 7 miles of rough road between Maine blueberry farms.  It offers water and electric hook-ups with a central dump station and beautiful sunset views.  

We did some dirt road exploration in the Jeep and came across Alexander’s Old Blueberry Farm a family owned blueberry farm and small gift shop.  The owners were very friendly and explained the farm’s history and how blueberries are harvested.  We bought some fresh blueberry jam and it is wonderful.  They have mail order, so we will remember them at Christmas time.

When planning our travels for this summer, we made Acadia National Park in Maine our top priority.  Since it is such a popular destination, we made reservations well in advance at the Schoodic campground.  This all-new campground offers 100amp electric and water, but only a central dump station.  It also does not have a laundry or shower facilities.   The Acadia park system offers wonderful views of the Maine coastline, hikes and groomed bike trails.  Pattie and I enjoyed the ones near Schoodic Point and made the hour drive over to Bar Harbor to take a whale watch cruise and enjoy the trails there. The whale watch was fun as humpback whales and seals surrounded us.

The Bar Harbor Area Carriage Roads offer over a hundred miles of bike trails.  The Carriage Roads are compressed gravel and wide enough for bikers to operate in both directions with pedestrians traffic. All was going well until Pattie slipped in a turn and went down hard on her left knee.  I had stopped up a hill around a curve and did not see it.  Another biker rode up and told me she had wrecked. Before I got to her, two trauma nurses who were out riding had already stopped and were administering aid.  I yanked the first aid kit from my bike and the nurses used it to stop the bleeding while another person handed me a phone to the ranger station.  The rangers came in a car and drove Pattie back to the Jeep while a ranger and I rode the bikes out.  An hour later we were in the emergency room getting the gravel picked out of the wound and putting in stitches.

With outdoor sports out of the equation, we headed south to Freeport. ME to visit the LL Bean store and enjoy some urban dining. 

From there we headed over to Sebago Lake Family Campground for a few days to rest and visit with our friends Bill and Julie.  Back in the late 1980s, we met Bill and Julie at the Maine Mountains Jeep jamboree and we would Jeep and camp around the area while we were stationed in New Hampshire.  It was great to see them again and get caught up.

We decided it was time to find a spot to sit still and let Pattie heal up until the stiches come out.  The Hansom AFB, MA FamCamp offers full hook-up sites adjacent to the base, so we paid for two weeks and began looking for a medical facility to perform the follow-up on her knee.  It is nice to be near an Air Force base.  We can use the gym, shop at the BX/commissary and other services.  I was able to take the Jeep over to the Auto Hobby Shop and change the oil and rotate the tires.  It is a treat for me to have a shop where I can work on the Jeep, as I like to take my time and look everything over and make sure it is in top condition.  I was also able to drive up to Portsmouth, NH where the 260^th Air Traffic Control Squadron gave me a tour of the control tower and radar facility where I served back in the late 1980s. 

Another benefit of FamCamp is meeting fellow veterans.  On the row behind us, Mark and Holly from “On the Go Ministries” are camped.  We have enjoyed fellowship and coffee with them in mornings.  They are headed to Maine next and we gave them some suggestions of things to do and NOT to do while there.

Thanks for keepingupwiththejonesrv!

Full timer tip:  First aid kits in the RV, TOAD, Bike, and backpack are important. Keep them well stocked and inspect them annually.