Praise You in This Storm

I just returned from a trip to Tuscaloosa, Alabama, to take relief supplies to the area which was devastated by the tornadoes last week. The supplies were gathered very quickly, with the bulk of them coming from Restoration Church International, in Gaffney, and Restoration Church, in Spartanburg. My good friend, Pastor Joey Turner had talked with a precious brother who was donating his 18 wheeler, and a driver. In addition, someone from the Marshall Tucker Band provided another truck, which was filled at the church in Spartanburg, and went down the evening before us. Pastor Kevin King, from the church in Spartanburg, was originally on staff at a church in Tuscaloosa, which was serving as a hub for distribution. Kevin joined us there, at Daystar Church, and we unloaded about half of the semi truck there, and then took the remaining supplies to Double Portion Church. A precious elderly pastor there eagerly accepted the donations.

Also accompanying us on the trip was a team from the church in Gaffney, and Randy Brown, from New Harvest, the church I pastor. In addition, other pastors from the SC area met us there in Tuscaloosa.

The next morning we met briefly at Daystar, and planned further efforts for assistance. We also toured some of the areas which were hit by the storm. It was difficult to look at the destruction without feeling great sorrow. Houses, buildings, vehicles, demolished. Knowing that some of the areas we were in had bodies that had not yet been recovered. The stench of death was evident. A Chuckee Cheese where a child's birthday party was being held was completely demolished, taking the innocent lives of 30 children. Search teams were in some of the areas we were in. People were unaccounted for.

Our prayers are needed for the people of Tuscaloosa. My heart goes out to them. One sign painted on a house said, "We love you, Maw Maw and Paw Paw." Another sign said "We will praise you in this storm." Sometimes that is difficult to do, isn't it?