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?

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