After spending the last few days helping in Forney, Lancaster and Royse City, I wanted to share a few of our experiences with everyone. We had no idea how to even become involved in rescue or relief efforts, but the opportunity arose in a very simple manner. I had a text from a friend in Forney saying they needed help and a text from a friend in Frisco saying she wanted to help the victims. Being quite good at facilitating, I put them in touch with each other and thus began the journey I feel we are still on in this area.
On Wednesday, April 4th, we took our first load of supplies to Mustang Creek Community Church in Forney. After being completely overwhelmed with supplies and volunteers, we were asked to take the second load of relief supplies to Lancaster. Even trying to get to our drop-off places was a learning experience, rarely having solid contacts or good directions but it all worked out in every way every time! David, from Genesis Metro, offered to take whatever supplies we might have to deliver on Saturday the 7th. Most of those went to help the Red Cross who were stationed in Lancaster High School’s field house.
Thinking our efforts were complete, I felt good about our experience but still had a nagging feeling that there was more that could be done. On Sunday afternoon, I received some info from one of our volunteers that Royse City had been overlooked by some of the major efforts. So piling back into the car and getting some very generous donations from our friends, family and volunteers, we set off to find an unincorporated section of Royse City that had been badly hit. Our first trip just brought supplies, but five people from the Frisco Reach Out family arrived bright and early on Tuesday morning to help a couple of families continue the clean up process.
Photos are at the top of the Photo page if you’d like to see the affects and efforts first hand. We were honored to serve with other volunteers that gave of their time and efforts for days on end so that people could experience compassion and feel like someone still cared. I thought we were going to clean up a house or two, but I know that we cared for these families and ministered to their pain in a unique way. Such a privilege to be the hands of God to a hurting world. I never pray for destruction or devastation, but I pray that I am able to minister hope when bad things find those whom God loves.