Lessons I learned from Hurricane Rita

By pastorscott

Originally posted 9-26-05

1. If I am going to run from a hurricane, I had better run to where it cannot go! We moved up and around the coast and so did the hurricane. It made landfall a couple of hundred miles north and east of the original predictions. Next time it’s “go west” for me.
2. If I have to be cooped up with nine people, I’d just as soon do it with people I like. That’s what we did. We were with family and were guests of our son’s in-laws. Better to not have it happen at all, but if it has to happen, it is best to be with good folks. Beyond that, we are all believers in Jesus. I didn’t hear a cross word from anyone through the entire event – and, on the other hand, we had a lot of fun talking about everything from southern gospel music to sharing what God is doing in our churches.
3. If I have to go through a hurricane, being with resourceful people is a great blessing. Everyone in our party had resources to give to the group. Our hosts already had needed items to share. My son’s little battery powered TV was a real plus. My sister’s five gallon can of fuel helped me get home without having to try to find an open gas station. My ham 2-meter capability gave us important information. It seemed that everybody had something that came in useful.
4. If I have to go through a something like this, I want to do it with those I not only like, but love. As I said, I don’t want to run to any place along the coast again, but all things considered, I would rather be with my loved ones in a storm, than to be sitting somewhere, high and dry, worrying about them and wondering what is happening to them.
5. If I have to go through a storm, having my granddaughter Sarah keeps things fun and interesting. I sure wouldn’t put Sarah in harm’s way just for my sake, but she was more fun than I can describe. She is supposed to be in her “terrible twos” but she really hasn’t discovered that yet. She entertained us by strutting around the house singing “Old McDonald” and the “ABC Song” and “Twinkle, Twinkle” and thoroughly enjoyed being with both sets of grandparents, one great-grandparent, and my sister – her aunt – who is one of her favorite people.
6. If I have to lose my “stuff” I can handle it. When we drove off on Wednesday evening we didn’t know what we might come back to. We just prayed, putting it all in God’s hands and drove off without looking back. It was more than desperation or spiritual bravado – it was really how we felt. While we are appreciative for what we have, we know we are simply stewards of it. If it has to go, we can let it go.
7. Finally, if the storm moves, I will thank God for his protection, but not claim that my, or anyone else’s prayers persuaded God to move the storm so it would hit someone else instead of me. Driving home we saw the destruction hurricane Rita caused. I wouldn’t wish, or pray, that on anyone. My storm prayers are for personal protection, not only for me and mine, but for all who are being impacted by it — although I might be so bold as to throw in a suggestion that God simply command “peace, be still”!

My hurricane Rita story

By pastorscott

Originally posted 9-26-05

Before the storm
With the eye of, then category 5, Rita forecast to make landfall near us, we decided to follow family members and go to southwestern Louisiana. After making preparations to leave we got on the road about 9:00 Wednesday night. It took us a bit over an hour to clear the traffic that was evacuating from south of us, but driving through Houston and getting on I-10 to go east was pretty easy. I-10 was crowded, but moving. We saw lines at gas stations and food stores, but as we made progress east, we were able to stop and fuel with no problems. A trip that would have normally taken us less than four hours ended up taking seven and a half.

Having gone to bed at 4:00 a.m., I woke up mid-morning to the news that the storm had turned early, and was now expected to make landfall north of Galveston. That was a good news/bad news situation for us, as having the storm come in farther north would spare our home area the worst of things, but it also moved the storm closer to where we were staying.

The rest of Thursday and most of Friday had a bit of a “family reunion” feel too it. But not quite. The TV was on the Weather Channel and the computer was being used to keep an eye on the storm. Also, we checked on water and food supplies, and made sure everyone had a flashlight. By Friday afternoon, the storm was expected to come in even farther up the coast, near Beaumont — about 90 miles from us. The storm had weakened a bit, and it appeared that it would come in as a strong “3.” Everyone would sleep at one house that night, that is, if they slept at all.

In the storm
Early Friday evening the wind began to blow, with some strong gusts. At 7:00 the power went out and conditions decorated with bands of torrential rain and strong wind. There were nine of us in the house and, in the darkness several went to bed. My son had a battery powered TV, so he spent most of the night watching it and keep us updated. The only problem was that the best TV signal was from a Lake Charles station. They had evacuated from their studios and were operating from a temporary location. Their on air picture was of three people sitting around a table with one microphone. Their “graphics” was a small white board with written messages. Their “remote” capabilities consisted of holding a cell phone up to the lone microphone so those watching could hear what was being said.

Meanwhile, we were seeing wind gusts of 70-90 mph with lots of rain. The wind, and the sound of rain being driven against the house, was so loud that little else could be heard, however, there were some “extra sounds” that suggested damage being done in the area. To the south, a couple of city blocks away we could see a constant display of sparks showering down from a power pole. We tried to sleep, and when not asleep, to pray. Without power, and with all the windows closed because of the rain, the house was uncomfortably hot.

The center of the storm came in right on the Texas-Louisaina state line. This brought it closer still. We were also on the “dirty side” of the storm which meant we got, in addition to the wind, the rain and the tornados associated with a hurricane. Apparently, it was small tornados that did the bulk of the damage in the community we were in.

Damage Assessment
Saturday morning brought more powerful wind and rain, but by mid-morning there were a few breaks in the action. An outside survey revealed a downed small tree in our yard, a wrecked old barn nearby, and another metal building nearby that had been flipped over. After two more very powerful bands of wind and rain, one which ended our phone service, things began to clear. Sprint will love this, but my Sprint cell never lost service, even though you had to more or less stand very still outside and hold the phone just right to keep the connect. At one point, that was our only want to communicate. Most damage throughout the area was apparently from downed trees. People began to venture out to move limbs and see what had happened. A few well prepared souls fired up generators, but most everyone just opened up the windows. There was a strong breeze that made it livable in the house.

With the windows opened, and the storm passed, Saturday night brought a better night’s sleep. We were glad to be in a house with a gas stove, so cooking was possible. Also, the community’s water system was never compromised, so we had good running water.

Journey Home
On Sunday morning we were thinking about how we would get home. Clearly, the path of destruction lay between us and home. At first I thought about taking a more northern route in an attempt to miss the possible traffic. However, after chatting with a few of the local ham operators on 2 meters, I was assured that if I had the fuel we could get back to Houston on I-10.

We made our way back to the freeway and found things pretty much wide open. The only slow down was a few convoys of tree-trimmer or other types of service trucks being moved into the area. Most of the time we ran about the speed limit with no problem at all.

The worst of the storm
As we drove west, the damage of the hurricane became more and more prevalent. At first we saw tree limbs down, peeled back tin roofs, and the like. As we progressed into the heart of the storm’s path, we saw that hardly a highway sign was untouched, with some broken off at the top. The level of damage increased to the point that around Lake Charles we couldn’t spot a single building that didn’t have some damage. Entire forests were down.

Every off ramp was manned by law enforcement. A few ramps had lines of cars waiting to go through the checkpoint. Basically, people were being allowed to flow through Lake Charles, Vidor, Orange, and Beaumont, but not to exit. That was fine with us, as that is just what we wanted to do. Still, the destruction was a sobering reminder of the power of the storm. West of Beaumont, we saw a staging area with, I imagine, thousands of National Guardsmen set up for rescue and relief efforts. There were helicopters, trucks of ice, etc.

Home
Driving south on Highway 146 was also wide open. Somewhere along 146 we saw the first open gas stations. People were lined up waiting to get fuel. We also saw a Taco Bell that was open and few non-chain restaurants doing business.

By the time we got to Alvin, I was able to pull into a gas station that appeared to be having a slow Sunday afternoon. We got gas, drove home to find things about as we had left them, and went out to eat.

Conclusion
I wanted to write the story while it is fresh on my mind. I will probably have some reflections on this, but will add them upon, uh, reflection!

Hurricanes and the Return of Christ

By pastorscott

Originally posted 9-23-05

We are ready to wait out hurricane Rita in an area that is expecting lots of rain and winds of 50 to 60 mph. Not the perfect place, but out of the worst of the storm.

I got an email from a friend I haven’t heard from in a long time. He isn’t in the path of any storms but it was clear that he is upset and concerned in the face of so much unrest in the world. Katrina, Rita, terrorism, the war in Iraq, rising fuel prices — these are days of uncertainty. He wonders if this is the beginning of the end of the world.

I can’t answer that question, although I do think that storms and such are just part of living in a world where bad things happen to even good people. My best advice is to get ready and stay ready for the sure Return of Christ. We don’t know “when” but we do know that it is a “sure thing” — Jesus is coming back and the world, we know it, is going to be totally changed.

However, there is even more here. When we give our lives to Christ things are not the same afterward. First, our relationship with God is changed — we have “made peace” with our Maker. Second, we are changed. God begins a process of transforming our lives. The result of this is the possibility of our facing uncertainties with new eyes. That is where the famous “peace that passes understanding” comes in.

One more thing though — the peace of Christ is not automatic, even for Christians. We have to receive that peace. If we don’t, we are in no better shape, peace-wise than anyone else.

Unplanned blog break

By pastorscott

Originally posted 9-20-05

We are now under threat from hurricane Rita. While we are not under mandatory evacuation orders, we are just a few miles from where it is happening. With that in mind, we are going to pull the plug here and move away from the possible destruction. While in exile I may have internet access, if so, I may do some blogging there. Otherwise, I am about to take an unplanned blog break.

Seeing the system work

By pastorscott

Originally posted 9-3-05

As I have said, things are pretty fluid so far as those displaced by the hurricane.

Just a few minutes ago I was talking to a New Orleans family. He works for the Children’s Hospital in the computer department and, somehow, they have found their way to our community. They said they had just heard from their insurance company and that they now had assurance that they could rent an apartment here and it would be paid by insurance. They had a flyer from one of the nicer apartment complexes here offering Louisiana people apartments for zero deposit and no lease.

I know that there are thousands of stories to be told, but it is nice to see that people who work a steady job, own a home, and pay for insurance actually have resources at a time like this. I mean, I consider myself to be one of those people and it could be me in that situation.

By the way, he had no doubt that he would be living in N.O.
again.

Not refugees and not victims — ‘displaced’ or ’survivors’ or even just ‘Louisianan’

By pastorscott

Originally posted 9-3-05

I read an article in the local paper in which it was mentioned that the man being interviewed twice interrupted the reporter to say, “Just call us ‘Louisianans’ — we aren’t refugees.”

Then I had a conversation with a fellow pastor and career military chaplain and he mentioned that he gave a talk today to a group of volunteers advising them that the people they are working with are “survivors” and not “victims.” Names mean something. To call someone a refugee or a victim is to strip them of dignity. To make them “survivors” has a victorious feel to it. If nothing else, they are simply people who were “displaced” by the storm.

I think this is much more than just trying to be politically correct — it is the difference between seeing people as powerless people who must be protected and cared for and seeing them as people who have gone through a lot and simply need a helping hand for awhile.

Clothes Gluttons

By pastorscott

Originally posted 9-3-05

I started off the day thinking of how I needed to make a financial donation to a relief organization.

Then, I heard for sure that people were coming to the Astrodome, just 40 minutes from me and I wondered if our area Nazarene churches could put together packages of hygiene items for those being moved to the Astrodome.

Then I got a call that our motels had several New Orleans families in them and that there was going to be a community meeting about it.

While at the meeting I met two New Orleans families who heard about the meeting and showed up. Looking at their precious baby and being told by a lady that she was concerned about renewing a prescription she needs made it all seem very personal.

Someone had been so kind as to put out cookies for our meeting, and so far as I know they were untouched. I went and got the plate and offered it to them. A little girl was sure happy to see the cookies. And they thanked me for offering them cookies that I had nothing to do with.

In the final view, this is all personal. Each person, individually, has needs.

Then I got to thinking that is what living the Christian life is all about. I have something good to share with people, and what I have to give has cost me nothing, but cost Christ everything.

It has been a humbling afternoon.

It has been a humbling afternoon

By pastorscott

Originally posted August 31, 2005

I started off the day thinking of how I needed to make a financial donation to a relief organization.

Then, I heard for sure that people were coming to the Astrodome, just 40 minutes from me and I wondered if our area Nazarene churches could put together packages of hygiene items for those being moved to the Astrodome.

Then I got a call that our motels had several New Orleans families in them and that there was going to be a community meeting about it.

While at the meeting I met two New Orleans families who heard about the meeting and showed up. Looking at their precious baby and being told by a lady that she was concerned about renewing a prescription she needs made it all seem very personal.

Someone had been so kind as to put out cookies for our meeting, and so far as I know they were untouched. I went and got the plate and offered it to them. A little girl was sure happy to see the cookies. And they thanked me for offering them cookies that I had nothing to do with.

In the final view, this is all personal. Each person, individually, has needs.

Then I got to thinking that is what living the Christian life is all about. I have something good to share with people, and what I have to give has cost me nothing, but cost Christ everything.

It has been a humbling afternoon.