3 Points to Ponder
- “Storms will hit each of our lives. Are you establishing relationship strongholds today to help anchor you through those storms?”
- “You don’t have to look far to see people hurting. How can you help someone today who needs a bit of encouragement?”
- “God is constantly working through all things to bring about spiritual maturity. As you look at the difficulties in your life, what is He trying to teach you? What are you learning?”
2 Quotes to Share
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” -James 1:2-4
“Although the world is full of suffering, it is also full of the overcoming of it.” – Helen Keller
1 Story of Impact
A couple of weeks ago, some Many Hands representatives and I visited Abaco Island, part of the Bahamian Outer Islands. In 2019, Hurricane Dorian swept over the island, reaching the island as a category 5 hurricane. To make matters worse, the whole storm system stalled over the island resulting in sustained 180+ winds for 52 hours, six tornados, and three 25-foot waves crashing into the shoreline. The shantytowns of The Mudd and The Peas were completely wiped out, including most of their 10,000+ Haitian immigrant residents. A few months later, COVID-19 was discovered and the world shut down, pausing the rebuilding of the island. Two-and-a-half years later, the evidence of the hurricane is still very visible. People haven’t been able to rebuild their lives. What do you do when a storm hits and wave after wave crashes into your life? We met with local residents, and they recalled that night with horror as many lost family, neighbors, and friends. In the same breath, they were hopeful for the future and the ability to build back. We heard the passion in the pastors’ voices for the work God was doing on the island. We saw genuine appreciation for those coming to help and listening to their stories. We witnessed churches helping rebuild other churches across denominational lines. We never know when a storm will hit, but we can build the relationships needed to support us through the trials. And we can let others help us when we are overwhelmed. No one is made to do life alone, so this week, let people help you through your storms or be someone who helps someone through their storm. And keep taking the next step forward, even if it is a just tiny step. It matters.
