I'll start the next part of the story with a simple observation.
People of my generation have abandoned the "archaic" idea of going to church. Even those who believe and identify themselves as Christians. I've heard this generation referred to as the "unchurched" generation. People my age simply don't seem to find any relevance in the tradition.
Here is where I disagree. Going to a church and worshipping something greater than yourself with a small group of other people creates a bond, a kinship. You build a tribe, a community with people that can be very different than you but you have one amazingly important thing in common. Something that overcomes differences in fashion, music and race. A common belief that makes you want the best for the other person. Without my church tribe this flood would have been devastating to my wife and I.
People of my generation have abandoned the "archaic" idea of going to church. Even those who believe and identify themselves as Christians. I've heard this generation referred to as the "unchurched" generation. People my age simply don't seem to find any relevance in the tradition.
Here is where I disagree. Going to a church and worshipping something greater than yourself with a small group of other people creates a bond, a kinship. You build a tribe, a community with people that can be very different than you but you have one amazingly important thing in common. Something that overcomes differences in fashion, music and race. A common belief that makes you want the best for the other person. Without my church tribe this flood would have been devastating to my wife and I.
My dogs in comparison to their little dog As we were states away from our rapidly flooding house, one thing I thankfully didn't have to worry about was my dogs. My dogs are not small and easily cared for. One is close to 80 lbs and the other is fuzzy ball of neurosis, fearful still of the abuse that my wife and I rescued her from. My associate pastor Pablo Rodriguez and his family took in my dogs without hesitation, knowing that my dogs were difficult, stressed out and were suffering from separation anxiety. realizing that my house was without power and unguarded they pulled anything of value that could be stolen while we were gone and made sure the food in my fridge wasn't left to rot. I am extremely grateful that these were stresses I didn't need to worry about.
although I maybe should have worried a little...
The greatest relief of all was another family from my church that runs a company cleaning and sanitizing construction sites was immediately available to begin clean up, including starting work before the rains had even let up. The Mancilla family pulled out our destroyed furniture and carpeting, documented damages, waded through waist deep water and sewage, worked and sweated, and mourned with us through our losses. This is family. This is community. This is worth not getting to sleep in on a Sunday morning. To make connections with other human beings that saw that someone in their tribe had a need and jumped at the chance to help, to bless, to make things better.
When Christ walked on earth, He taught us to pray. Part of the prayer He taught was "...on earth as it is in Heaven." We are to pray to bring Heaven to earth. These families...this family of mine...prayed with me, worked with me, to bring just a little bit of heaven... to make things just a little bit better.
I didn't come home to rotten food and a basement filled with water and sewage. I came home to a damp empty and a little bit smelly but sanitized basement. I am blessed.
Even though I lost thousands of dollars worth of "stuff". Even though I had to buy furnace/water heater/washer/dryer. Even though my house is now worth much less in property value. Even though I still have many many hours of work ahead of me...Because of my community I can say confidently that I am very very blessed.
When Christ walked on earth, He taught us to pray. Part of the prayer He taught was "...on earth as it is in Heaven." We are to pray to bring Heaven to earth. These families...this family of mine...prayed with me, worked with me, to bring just a little bit of heaven... to make things just a little bit better.
I didn't come home to rotten food and a basement filled with water and sewage. I came home to a damp empty and a little bit smelly but sanitized basement. I am blessed.
Even though I lost thousands of dollars worth of "stuff". Even though I had to buy furnace/water heater/washer/dryer. Even though my house is now worth much less in property value. Even though I still have many many hours of work ahead of me...Because of my community I can say confidently that I am very very blessed.
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