Greetings! It is my hope and trust that this finds you all well...and I mean that with all sincerity. This past week has seen such devastation, injury and loss of life in Alabama, as well as other southern states....and what a difference a day can make. North Alabama has been 'home' to me for over 20 years and it has been nothing less than heart breaking to see the pictures/videos and hear the stories coming out of that region these days.
As I finished up my Intro to IHOP internship, made my trip to see my mom and visited Alabama, I finally landed back in KC on Monday, April 25, late in the night after driving for several hours through tornado warnings! Tuesday I began my class here at IHOP, which is not mandatory for staff but would be helpful. Wednesday, the world changed in my home state and for my friends and church family. I have spent much of my time from last Wednesday actually working on disaster relief communications, as most of the region was without power until Sunday/Monday....my little laptop and cell phone became communication central, of sorts. As that immediate need lightened, I realized my heart was in Alabama with this disaster relief effort.
Part of what the Lord has clarified to me regarding my calling during the past 7 months was that what has been established in my life through my social work, nursing and over 30 years of ministry training/labor has equipped me to minister to people....spirit, soul and body...in the midst of the 'birth pains' as described in the book of Matthew 24:6-8
"And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but
the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines,
pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows."
I had specifically communicated this to a friend here at IHOP the morning of the 27th, the day of the tornados....and before nightfall crisis and sorrows had fallen on the place I have called home.
This has caused me to have to seek the Lord's face as to where I am suppose to be in this little season. I was scheduled to head back to Alabama the last week of May to actually be about the business required for me to be sustained as a missionary here at IHOP-KC. That plan has not changed but I can not make sense of staying here for the 4 week interim for a 1 1/2 hour class on Tuesdays that is not mandatory when I could be of use actually walking out the answer to my own prayers for Alabama and my home church! And so after seeking counsel and setting this all before the Lord, I am making plans to head back to Alabama, hopefully by Friday morning, if I can get all the loose ends pulled together. I will share more of what the Lord has actually laid on my heart when I can get my feet on the ground and can learn what the real situation is looking like for folks there. I totally ask for your prayers!
Will update when I arrive in Alabama. The above photo is of the Rock Family Worship Center feeding people in a K Mart parking lot in Scottsboro. That first evening they feed about 500. Friday they fed somewhere near 4500! The work load is massive. If any of you would be interested in getting your hands dirty and loving on some hurting hearts, let me know. If your churches or organizations are looking for places to give into the relief efforts, I know the Rock is in an area that is not being reached by many of the other relief efforts....I can get you some info. Blessings and grace to you and your families as always. Love you guys!
Heather
