Update: Please see an update from CHF at the bottom of this page.
This last week has been surreal. As I sit here writing, the sky is blue, and a gentle breeze dances in the sunshine in between massive gusts that twist the oak trees out my window. About every 10 minutes, a red helicopter or plane flies past my window on their way to dump water or retardant on the many fires burning within 25 miles of my home.
My home is fine. I am fine.
But all of LA county is devastated by the enormity of the loss, and the hits keep coming.
Just this morning, Dave Phillips sent out the following message about Children’s Hunger Fund:
Many of you have asked how CHF has fared as a result of the wildfires that have impacted much of Southern California this week. Let me begin by expressing gratitude to God for sparing our headquarters building in Sylmar. When the Sylmar fire broke out at about 10:30 pm on Tuesday night, the high winds pushed the fire directly toward the hillside behind our building. At 11 pm, when this photo of our building was taken, it became very apparent that our building was in great jeopardy!
However, through God’s providence and grace, our building was spared! Firefighters were able to keep the flames coming down the mountainside from damaging our building as well as our surrounding neighbors! We thank the Lord for His protection and for all who prayed, knowing that we were in harm’s way.
Some of you have asked how you can help.
First, please pray. Pray that those who have lost everything in this life would come to know who Jesus is. Pray for the safety of the firefighters as they bear the burden of extreme exertion in the midst of traumatic conditions. Pray for fools who start fires to be thwarted and caught. Pray for kind words and comfort. Pray for churches to find ways to care.
Second, if you are able to help financially, Children’s Hunger Fund is all about helping churches reach out with help and the Gospel. You can help bring relief by donating to CHF here.
Thank you for caring.
As only Christ can comfort our hearts and calm our fears, I want to close here with part of an entry from Every Moment Holy, V.1 that focuses on Him: A Liturgy for those who suffer loss from Fire, Flood, or Storm:
O Christ in Whom Our Lives are Hidden,
Fix now our hope in that which alone might sustain it.
Christ in Whom Our Treasures are Secure, fix now our hope in you.
In light of all that was so suddenly lost, O Lord, in light of all we had gathered but could not keep, comfort us.
Our nerves are frayed, O God. Our sense of place and permanence is shaken, so be to us a foundation.
We were shaped by this place, and by the living of our lives in it, by conversations and labors and studies,
by meals prepared and shared, by love incarnated in a thousand small actions that became as permanent a part of this structure as any nail or wire or plank of wood.
Our home was to us like a handprint of heaven. It was our haven, and now we are displaced and faced with the task of great labors-not to move forward in this life, but merely to rebuild and restore what has been lost….
So by that eternal vision, shape our vision for what this temporary home might become in its repair, O Lord, that in that process of planning and rebuilding we might also streamline our lives for stewardship, for service, and for hospitality in the years ahead.
But those are all tasks for tomorrow.
We do not even know yet today the full measure of what we have lost.
Today is for mourning. So let us grieve together as those who know the world is broken, but who yet hold hope of its restoration.
Comfort us, O Lord, in the wake of what has overtaken us.
Shield us, O Lord, from the hurts we cannot bear.
Shelter us, O Lord, in the fortress of your love.
Shepherd us, O Lord, as we wake each new morning, faced with the burdens of a hard pilgrimage we would not have chosen. But as this is now our path, let us walk it in faith, and let us walk it bravely, knowing that you go always before us.
Amen.
February 6: Fire Disaster Relief Update here.
Lisa LaGeorge 