SHORT-TERM MISSIONS &
DISASTER RESPONSE

"For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45

After seven months of living away from home, this past Saturday was move-in day for the Moots! Well, sort of.

Just after receiving their certificate of occupancy last week, the Moots began to excitedly plan to collect their salvaged belongings and donated furniture from different storage locations and move into their newly restored home this past Saturday. You can almost imagine how it would play out—like a Hallmark movie, right? Bright and sunny, birds chirping, warmly welcoming them back to their home like an old friend. Smiles abound. Music in the background and a much-needed flop onto the couch for a nap. After all, the end is always like that.

Yeah, so that's a movie story and not exactly how it went down. On Friday word came that the moving truck was canceled due to a COVID outbreak, and, as predicted, Saturday, the rain came. The sun seemed to quickly go down on the movie story.

Then the church family showed up to work—without hesitation for the wet, muddy, miserable day. Totes and boxes were carried in lines resembling a colony of ants toward the house. Friends inside cleaned, prepared, and sorted, filling in the much-needed holes of the Moots' lives—as they had been for the past seven months. The rain and truck cancelation didn't dampen the loving mood of the day. Word came, too, of a virtual gift shower in the near future to be given by the church ladies. And, although the family isn't moved in entirely and there is more to do, they moved forward, closer to the end goal of making this newly renovated house their home. They couldn't be more thankful.

Glenn shares with us, "We are so grateful to be to this point, and will use our newfound perseverance to persevere with you to the end. We are at this milestone because of you and others who take to heart what the Lord tells us in 1 John 3:17, 'But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him?' Hear the essential message of vocation in Romans 12, 'For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function, so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them.' Thank you for sharing your gifts with us."

A few of our OPC Disaster Response volunteer "regulars" rejoice with the Moots:

Steve Hill, electrician, "'Be strong and courageous...’ Our Lord's words come to mind as I have seen them fulfilled in the Moots Family. Incredible courage [is] given by our Lord, to get up, look up, and move forward. Our Lord is the one enabling, the one leading, and most definitely the one who is carrying us ALL in this journey with them. What a privilege it has been to walk a portion of the path with Glenn, Michelle, and Rebekah—my beloved family in Christ. Carrie, Joshua, and I will continue to pray for you all as you near the finish line! Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord, PRAISE the LORD! In His precious Hands, Steve Hill"

Judy Hirdes, "WOW! That is so wonderful. Wish we could be there to help with the moving."

David Nakhla, OPC Disaster Response Coordinator, "So wonderful! Praise the Lord! And, yes, thank you all for your service in many ways toward the body of Christ. I Cor 12:26a - 'If one member suffers, all suffer together.'"

Rhonda Sarafolean, Hospitality Coordinator, "That's great news!"

Mike Greene, Site Coordinator, "I would like to say it has been my greatest pleasure and privilege to have been able to support these two good families during this difficult period. Also, it has been a special blessing to me to have been able to work with so many volunteers who have given of their time, exceptional skills, and financial resources to get these families back on their feet again. Their commitment to this worthy cause has set an example of what the Christian faith is all about, i.e., how we serve one another and come alongside one another during difficult periods. Also, I would like to thank each of you on the Disaster Relief Committee for your support. I have greatly valued your input and advice, without which I could not have been able to have done my job. Many thanks! Blessings to all of you during this Christmas season!"

Please continue to pray for Glenn, Michelle, Andrew (recently married), and Rebekah as they adjust to normal life again and begin to reestablish their new home as a warm and open place to welcome others.

For the OPC Disaster Response office, closing out this effort seems strange, but wonderful. There have been many amazing stories in this effort where God let us know He was with us. Provisions came from "nowhere." May we not be proud, just thankful, that the Lord moved so many to love as Jesus loves—sacrificially.