*I posted this on facebook on October 15 in response to the flooding in Robeson County, NC due to Hurricane Matthew*
Laying here in bed with tears in my eyes as I reflect on this day. This day that the Lord made.
All week I have had a burden for finding out if deaf people are in the shelters in Robeson County. All week I have sent messages on fb, made phone calls, sent emails and prayed FEMA or the Red Cross would be there for them. Last night, I got an email confirming deaf in shelters and since my previous plans had changed and I was already set on heading towards Robeson County, I figured I would stop by the shelters to see if I could help in some way.
When I arrived at the shelter, the Red Cross met me at the door. I used "the interpreter card" and they led me right to the family. We chatted for a moment and the man asked if I would go with him to register with FEMA. He expressed being emotional and frustrated being at the shelter for 5 days. They have possibly lost everything. Everything. Just as we finished registration, FEMA interpreters arrived. I quickly said my goodbyes and left.
I have to admit I kind of felt disappointed. I wanted to chat with them more and really hear their story. But I left, thinking either I should have gone earlier or shouldn't have gone at all since the interpreters arrived shortly after I did. We drove back to Laurinburg which is a good 30 min drive to visit with family. I made a last minute decision to venture into a gift shop to buy a gift for a dear friend of mine. The owner helped me pick out a gift and we started talking about the flood and the devastation just one county over. I told him I was an interpreter and how I went to the shelter and met a deaf couple there. When he realized this, his face lit up and his eyes widened. Suddenly, he started describing the couple and called them by name. When I confirmed the couple he was describing was in fact who I met, he yelled! He said, "my brother has been looking for them!!!! His church has been going to each shelter to find their church members and taking them back to the church to care for them. They have found everyone except this one couple!!! We thought the worst. God sent you here to tell me this. I'm calling my brother right now!"
Chills went up my body. Could it be that God loves this couple so much that he put a passion in my heart 2.5 hours away to travel there just to meet them and tell this gentleman where they are so that their church family could find them?? Sounds just like something He would do. Just when I was discouraged, thinking I wasn't helping, He showed me once again how awesome He is.
I almost didn't go today. But I guarantee you, I will never again ignore those little promptings from within.
I'm not sure what happened to that family or even if they are still in the shelter but I will NEVER forget this day. Ever. God did this. #thisishope
Laying here in bed with tears in my eyes as I reflect on this day. This day that the Lord made.
All week I have had a burden for finding out if deaf people are in the shelters in Robeson County. All week I have sent messages on fb, made phone calls, sent emails and prayed FEMA or the Red Cross would be there for them. Last night, I got an email confirming deaf in shelters and since my previous plans had changed and I was already set on heading towards Robeson County, I figured I would stop by the shelters to see if I could help in some way.
When I arrived at the shelter, the Red Cross met me at the door. I used "the interpreter card" and they led me right to the family. We chatted for a moment and the man asked if I would go with him to register with FEMA. He expressed being emotional and frustrated being at the shelter for 5 days. They have possibly lost everything. Everything. Just as we finished registration, FEMA interpreters arrived. I quickly said my goodbyes and left.
I have to admit I kind of felt disappointed. I wanted to chat with them more and really hear their story. But I left, thinking either I should have gone earlier or shouldn't have gone at all since the interpreters arrived shortly after I did. We drove back to Laurinburg which is a good 30 min drive to visit with family. I made a last minute decision to venture into a gift shop to buy a gift for a dear friend of mine. The owner helped me pick out a gift and we started talking about the flood and the devastation just one county over. I told him I was an interpreter and how I went to the shelter and met a deaf couple there. When he realized this, his face lit up and his eyes widened. Suddenly, he started describing the couple and called them by name. When I confirmed the couple he was describing was in fact who I met, he yelled! He said, "my brother has been looking for them!!!! His church has been going to each shelter to find their church members and taking them back to the church to care for them. They have found everyone except this one couple!!! We thought the worst. God sent you here to tell me this. I'm calling my brother right now!"
Chills went up my body. Could it be that God loves this couple so much that he put a passion in my heart 2.5 hours away to travel there just to meet them and tell this gentleman where they are so that their church family could find them?? Sounds just like something He would do. Just when I was discouraged, thinking I wasn't helping, He showed me once again how awesome He is.
I almost didn't go today. But I guarantee you, I will never again ignore those little promptings from within.
I'm not sure what happened to that family or even if they are still in the shelter but I will NEVER forget this day. Ever. God did this. #thisishope