A Defining Moment
But God demonstrates His own love towards us, in that
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
In the days following Hurricane Katrina, Chaplain Carol Hall was summoned to a local military base where New Orleans evacuees had been bused. Relief organizations and church volunteers gathered to render aid during a transition and relocation operation. Chaplain Hall was invited to help quell rising frustrations and offer comfort the thousands of people temporarily relocated to the base.
On their way to the chapel, she passed rows of empty buses and thousands of people sitting in the blazing sun. Bewildered and exhausted family members huddled with children amidst mountains of plastic bags, representing their remaining possessions. They dared not move because they had been told to be ready and wait. The Red Cross provided meals, but most people wouldn’t leave their spot near the buses for fear they would miss their ride or get separated from family and belongings.
Chaplain Hall was asked to wait inside the base chapel in case the evacuees came in there asking for help. She was accustomed to ministering in the city’s workplaces, so Hall declined the opportunity to sit in the chapel. “I would prefer to be out amongst the people,” she said.
“Aren’t you afraid?” the director asked. “It may not be safe.”
“Heaven’s no," Hall responded, "I’m not afraid.”
She returned to the crowd and talked with the people, listening to emotional pleas of the bus drivers and the evacuees. Their greatest frustration was finding someone in authority to get a plan into action.
“In no time," Hall shared, “I found the relevant authorities and got information and directions. Suddenly, I was entrusted with leadership responsibilities to execute the plan. Amidst hugging and ministering to people, I did everything from putting housing together with families to administering first aid.”
Hours later, when the last person climbed aboard the bus, Chaplain Hall returned to the base chapel. She was heartbroken to see twenty Christians sitting in the shelter of the Chapel waiting for people to come to them. They had come to volunteer, but missed the opportunity to minister.
Carol Hall continues to encourage people to assist all of the hurricane victims, but challenges Christians to do more than supply water, meals, clothing and shelter.
“Evacuees lost their identity when the hurricane destroyed houses, jobs, family and friends”, Hall says. "Only Christ’s ones can extend the loving compassion that brings a measure of comfort and healing to people. Otherwise, they may forever battle with the unresolved shock, loss, displacement, and emotional and spiritual upheaval. This can be the church’s defining moment!”
LIFE Outreach faithfully ministers to the tangible and physical needs of people, but also cares for their souls. Like Chaplain Hall, we believe Christians must get connected and be personally involved with people. We preach, both in word and deed, a message of love, hope and salvation in Christ Jesus.
Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,
Nor have entered into the heart of man
The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.
1 Corinthians 2: 9
This Week
We must move beyond our self-consciousness and meet people face-to-face. Shake their hands. Pray for and with them. Comfort and embrace them in their pain and their joy. Most of all let’s eagerly offer the message of hope--salvation through Jesus Christ.
Prayer
"Jesus, help me to go to people instead of waiting for them to come to me."
