Hope in the Middle of Loss/Panama City, Fl

We want to try to share a little of our experience as we served as Billy Graham Chaplains alongside Samaritan’s Purse in the devastated area of Panama City, Florida from Hurricane Michael. Although we no longer hear about the destruction, lack of jobs, loss of homes and belongings, and the homelessness, it is still there and will be for many months and years to come. The week was full of meaningful and sometimes, intense ministry with salvations, several rededications, and many assurances of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The best way to describe the area is as if a bomb had exploded and decimated a 70 mile wide corridor. With 125-130 mph sustained winds, gusts to 180, and as many as 80 to 90 tornadoes, every home was either significantly or totally destroyed, especially the pre-manufactured homes. Roofs were literally ripped from the homes and many had trees, sometimes multiple fall on them. The rain then completed the job by soaking the homes which resulted in massive issues of black mold. Our Samaritan’s Purse teams removed downed trees, tarped roofs, and completely gutted mold-filled homes down to the studs. They worked tirelessly every day with such joy. Some of them were college students on their Christmas breaks, as well as families who have chosen to give of their time to help others who have lost so much. Perhaps the most noticeable lack, was of Christmas decorations. We saw very few and they stood out against the stark contrast of the building debris that filled the ditches, blocked sidewalks, and littered the landscape, and the twisted, broken trees - everywhere - by the hundreds/thousands.

Many of the homeowners stayed during the storm and we had more than a few tell us they thought they wouldn’t make it. Tales of neighbors’ homes flying by, trees falling - one to within inches of puncturing a woman’s chest. One pastor and his wife, with two young children, had to move from room to room for safety as the storm ripped away at their house. Some of the Christians sang praise songs as the storm raged. And so many were more concerned about their neighbors than themselves. We heard a story of God’s small whisper in the storm telling one woman where to leave her trailer and where to park her car to be safe.

Of course the heartbreak are the homeowners who will have to have their homes totally demolished and removed. A woman we prayed with was one of those. She accepted Jesus as her Lord and Savior and now has greater peace. A 93 year old WWII veteran rededicated his life to the Lord. Another situation was the wife of an Air Force veteran who is completely disabled whom she cares for. Her greatest pain was not that we had to gut her home but an earlier set of tragic events that have made her bitter and angry. We prayed for her and shared the hope she could find through Jesus. We left her with a wonderful team of Samaritan’s Purse volunteers to pray and be the hands and feet of Jesus as they complete the gutting of her home. There are so many many stories in which lives have been encouraged or transformed through the compassion of those serving in the area.

Not surprisingly, we were emotionally poured out from the week but we are humbled that we have been used by the Lord to bring His presence and peace to many hurting souls. At our church here in NC yesterday morning, all we could do is weep as we worshiped and remembered vividly those we had served and loved on, and those who had prayed for us. Our emotions are still a little raw. The good news - we know God’s Got It.

Many have asked what’s next. Our next deployment is 3 months in New Zealand with Ambassador Trust starting the 28th of December. Pastor Gary in Highlands, NC will be praying us out this Sunday. We will be serving primarily the city of Christchurch in the South Island. There is still much physical, economic, and emotional pain and devastation from the 2011 and 2016 earthquakes, particularly an increase in suicide.

Please pray for Panama City, and those left hurting after the earthquakes in New Zealand.