My heart and prayers go out to the people of Lahaina, Hawaii. I cannot imagine what they are going through. Many have lost their loved ones, homes…everything. I have never been in a position where I have ever experienced such loss in my life. Oh, I have had trials and thank God for them now. But I must be real and say that during the hardship/trial, at first, I couldn’t thank God for it. All I wanted was for it to be over as if it was a bad dream and all I needed or wanted to do was wake up. And when I awakened, all would be okay, and my life could go on. But, many times, it wasn’t a dream at all. It was real, and it was hard.
The treasurer of our ministry lives and works in Lahaina. She is like a daughter to me and before she became our treasurer; she was a member of our spiritual family in Europe for several years. As I prayed and waited, a thought came to mind. During our time in Europe, the US Army gave her command of a company as she served as an officer. It came time for them to deploy. The war in Afghanistan was still ongoing. Our church family adopted her entire company, and our mission was to pray for them, and send lots of love (cookies, etc.). Our prayer was specific in that we asked for the safe return of all her soldiers, with no casualties or injuries. A year later, everyone one of them returned. They suffered no casualties or injuries. The faithfulness of the Father.
Again, as I prayed and waited about two hours before I would hear from her, another thought came to mind that I just brushed off. Could it be that despite other homes being destroyed that hers was spared? A text from her arrived, saying that her home was spared, and she and her family were alright! Her neighborhood in Lahaina has its own water service and her home is solar powered. They have life support. The faithfulness of the Father.
Please don’t misunderstand me. I do not intend to downplay the devastation that others there have had and are enduring. My daughter is at work sharing and helping them. That is her nature to do so. The process of filing claims is required. There are pics that need to be taken to accompany the claims. Until they can rebuild, displaced people need a place to stay for an extended period. She is helping with all of that! I will be the first to say that sometimes I don’t understand all the whys. But one thing I know is that the Father is faithful, and I trust Him with all my heart!