Hello friends and family,
We got to work alongside Samaritan’s Purse and Billy Graham’s Rapid Response Team to help flood victims in Jackson, Kentucky the past 2 weeks.
We had the opportunity of helping people gut out their homes with all of their muddy, moldy, and wet belongings still in it. I will share a before and after video of one of the houses below to give you an idea of what gutting out the house looked like.
Although this was fun at times, it was hard work. We were trained to keep in mind that the homeowner was the #1 priority no matter what. So if that means we sit there and talk to the homeowner all day, we do that. I did not connect with all the homeowners but I did get to connect with this one person. His name was Guy and as soon as I hopped out of the van to meet him he said, “oh hey it’s Hollywood!” (now it’s one of my nicknames). Guy was easy and enjoyable to talk to, making him the highlight of my 2 weeks.
His story was disheartening. He has served 26 years in the army and did tours in Iraq having some of the craziest stories I’ve ever heard. He was the person that tells soldiers where to be and when. Unfortunately, not every soldier can make it back home making it difficult for him to say it wasn’t his fault. He said, “How am I supposed to believe it wasn’t my fault? If I had just put them somewhere else or timed it better, they might still be alive.” That hit me.
Guy went into more of his family life and explained how his children won’t talk to him but since the flood, his son came back to move in with him because he had nowhere else to go. He expressed how it’s hard to help his son get back on his feet again because he is afraid of him leaving again. Again, that hit me but definitely made me more grateful for the love and grace of my family.
He wore a cross necklace making it easy to open the conversation. It was eye opening to me how strong his faith in Jesus is considering his circumstances. This makes me reflect on my own faith in Christ and how easily it can be shaken in rough times.
At the end of each of the houses, we get to give the homeowner a Billy Graham Bible signed by all of us. Although I did not relate with Guy in so many ways, he expressed later how much he loved talking with me before I had to go. He said, “Hollywood, I enjoyed talking with ya. Not that I didn’t enjoy talkin to the rest of your team, it’s just you were my favorite.” We chuckled but I was filled with joy being able to love on someone through simply having conversation.
We had about 15 salvations in the 2 weeks which was an amazing statistic to hear. But, leaving with stuff still in trees and broken homes was difficult; it is crazy to think how much work was done but how much work still needed to be done. As I reflected, I came to realize it’s not about the progress of the houses or the buildings. It’s about the people we gave purpose, love and joy to through Jesus Christ.
These two weeks were a bit heavy on the heart, but very needed. One of my teammates was having a difficult time and said with tears in her eyes, “I know God said he would never flood the world again but these peoples’ worlds are being flooded, how is this fair?” Our squad mentor Luis responded with a question, “Do you think it’s worth it for these people to hear the gospel from us and possibly hear about Christ for the first time even if it means the world they know is destroyed?” I thought that was one of the best responses to why bad things happen in the world. God turns what the enemy meant for evil for good.
As I am posting this, I am in the airport getting ready to leave for Nicaragua. Please be praying for my team and I as we leave the country and serve globally!
Thank you all for your love and support! If you have any comments or questions, please drop them below. 🙂
-Gabe
I enjoy getting to hear your stories and thoughts on faith, Gabe. I am glad we got to meet an chat at training camp. God has made you to be an increadable gift to others (and to you) enjoy who He has made you and enjoy sharing that gift with the world. : )
Wow!!! Powerful blog my friend!!! It’s great to hear how God used you and your team in Kentucky! We will be praying for you as you make your way to Nicaragua! Love you brother!!!
Gave, thank you for taking us through what God is teaching you by sharing what is on your heart as your serve in difficult situations. As you move to areas with abject poverty this lesson in “fairness” will likely both help you and challenge you some more. Praying for you and your team in Nicaragua.
I loved reading your update. You experienced a lot of hurting people in Kentucky and now on to parts you f the world that are so different from ours.
I just finished reading a book about Nicaragua, and the devastation from Hurricane Mitch in 1998 that caused the Casitas Volcano mudslide. Between the hurricane and the mudslide, more than 9,000 people were killed in Nicaragua and surrounding Central American countries. I would imagine that 24 years later there will still be visible remnants of that disaster. I will be praying for you during your time there. You are already seeing that it is about relationships with the people that matters the most. May your heart continue to be molded by the Holy Spirit.
Blessings,
Dixie
Gabe, wow…what a life changing experience and you haven’t even left the US yet! Thank you for being such a great listener! I chuckled about the nickname… because that in no way aligns with who you are, but goes to show how quickly we can judge someone by their ‘look’ and our at first glance reactions. The people you are going to encounter around the world will all look so different than than those that grace magazine covers here; but I hope you discover their stories, continue to listen and love on them with your compassionate heart and show up to serve with God’s strength and protection guiding your every step. What a blessing. I am praying for you and your whole team. With Love, Tanya
Thanks again for update! ??
Gabe, you have a great way of expressing your feelings in all things! I know that the Lord is leading you in this “adventure”! Take every opportunity to share and also learn from the opportunities! You are always in our prayers! Grandpa
Gabe, I’m so proud of you. Love your detailed blog post that Paints a picture of your experiences. I also love your heart and the easy way about you that connects people to you. You are friendly, King and warm and people feel safe with you. That’s a gift. I was nervous about you leaving the country on Thursday and God gave me this verse. He truly impressed it on my heart as if this was for you: “I am with you and will watch over you wherever you go, and I will bring you back to this land. I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Gen 28: 15. Love you, Son, Mom
I can tell it weighed on you heavy, in that, no matter how much you were able to do, there would still be much left undone. However, you made an impression on Guy! You changed his life, made a friend and loved on him during a tough time. Military bond through a common struggle, it’s never easy, but in the end, you know who’s going to be standing beside you in battle. You may never see Guy again, but you shine as the light of Christ in his memories.
Miss you Stephen, Thank you so much for your constant prayers!
Thank you for always taking the time Brian! Thank you for praying for me.
Yes I can totally see some remnants of it, that sounds like an amazing book! Thank you so much 🙂
Tanya, wow, thank you so much for your thoughtful comment! That is very true, we are all quite quick to judge each other. Thank you so much for your blessings
Thank you so much grandpa! Love and miss you lots 🙂
Thank you so much mom, I miss and love you tons 🙂 thank you for setting the example for me in all of those qualities 😉
Aaron, talking with you at training camp was one of my absolute favorite things. Thank you for listening and consistently speaking life into me.
Thank you so much for the reminder matt! Miss you and can’t wait to see you again.
Wow, Hollywood, what a cool encounter with Guy. I love the perspective of what we see as evil God can turn for good. So many heard the Good News that would have never heard it before. And although they lost their possessions, they became God’s most treasured possession.
I look forward to hearing more about your encounters. Praying for you.
Amen! Thank you for your prayers, can’t wait to see y’all coaches again!