What can I do?

I didn’t feel like writing this weekend. The devastation outside affected my mood greatly and I just didn’t feel like it. Over the last few days my country experienced an incredible natural disaster. Heavy rains led to flooding unlike anything I have ever seen before. Images on social media made my country look almost unrecognizable. As we drove through some of the most affected parts of the country, trying to reach friends in Las Lomas, we saw the effects of the flooding and it was overwhelming.  Houses were stripped bare. Possessions that must have taken years of hard work to acquire were simply destroyed. Furniture, appliances and remnants of a life were piled high along roadway. We saw men sitting on the corners, shoulders bowed, contemplating their next move. We saw women, eyes red from either tears or exhaustion continuing the cleaning up efforts. We saw children who now had to grow up much faster than expected, their book bags and lunch kits littering the roadways.

Each person we spoke to had one thing in common. They were strong in their despair. This was not the time for crying and breaking down, there was too much work to be done. There is so much that we can learn from them. I am easily flustered and seeing the devastation brought me to tears more than once but who did I think I was breaking down when I lost nothing. If passing through it made me feel so hopeless, how much more were the citizens who actually lost something or everything feeling this pain?  I got to go home each night to a reality much different than theirs and they did not need my tears, they needed real help.

 I held my children close and we prayed for those affected and I tried as best as I could to explain to them what was happening. Yet, how do you explain that in less than an hour some people lost everything? How do you help them understand that the rain that we need to make the flowers and food grow can become a force so destructive that it results in chaos? So without fully comprehending it ourselves, we tried to teach my children something, anything about responding to those in need.

This particular weekend was a difficult one for us financially and we found ourselves without a lot of cash on hand.  So digging into our pockets was not a viable option for us and we felt really stressed that we could not give money to those in need but without money, we needed to get really creative!

The first need was obviously for food and water, so when a sister from our church challenged us to give from our pantries so we did, knowing that the need of others was greater than our own and when a brother from our church asked us to come out and help clean up homes, we did knowing that others would have done it for us. We have a vehicle so we were able to run errands and pick up and deliver food and other goods and services. We got our kids involved asking them to donate anything they could to other girls and boys (this took some work as the 3 and 2 year old mind isn’t naturally philanthropic) but by the 3^rd conversation, my 3 year old was packing up hair accessories and shoes to “give to the little ladies in the flood”.  And so far, no money was spent.

This isn’t a “look at me thing”. Trust me that last thing I need is for everyone to know our financial situation and I am the first to admit that many have done so much more than I did. I need to say a special thank you to Curtis from Food Basket in Arima, I called and begged for some lunches to take to people in Kelly and even though they were stretched thin, and he wasn’t sure he could facilitate me, he kept taking my calls and eventually gave me some lunches to take to those in need, and all while remaining cordial and gracious. God bless you Curtis! And he is not alone, there were doubles men and gyro men and food truck men and truck men with water and drinks. There were businessmen and women, youth groups,  councillors, service men and women and churches, including my own all doing their part. So no, this isn’t about me at all.  Instead it’s an” I know what you are feeling thing”. You feel helpless, you feel like there is nothing that you can do to help without having lots of money to buy all that is needed. You see all that others have given and you feel useless. You want to hide and pretend it isn’t happening but it is. People all around you have been devastated and while their needs would largely be financial, there are so many more ways that you can help.

 Do you have running water and a machine? Then you can help by assisting families in washing up clothes and bedding. Do you have a vehicle that can transport goods? Then you can help move debris out or good in to communities. Are you good at understanding and filling out forms? Then you can assist families who are too tired and weary by collecting information about grants and documents needed. Can you speak words of hope and comfort? Then you can visit the shelters and give that much needed support to those who have lost everything. Can you write well? Then get to social media and motivate others to act. Can you pray earnestly that people without hope will see God even in the midst of this? Then get on your knees and pray for those who are too weary to pray for themselves. Do you have extra clothes, shoes and towels? Then collect all that you can and drop off at shelters near you. Do you have the time to volunteer as a cook or can you help sort clothing? Then visit the churches near you that are collecting and sorting good and services.

I don’t have all the answers, and I know that the problems are far from over. There will be a long journey ahead, which would give us many opportunities to help financially, but the point remains, wherever you are there is a need that can be filled. Whoever you are, there is no one more qualified than you to fill it. So stop hiding and doubting your worth. You are exactly what is needed in this very situation. God has equipped you with something that can be used for His glory and for the benefit of those around you. Get out from under your covers, stop hiding your face and go get creative!

The Reformed Evangelical Church at #90 Tunapuna Road, Tunapuna has been doing an incredible job conducting a food and clothing drive to deliver to shelters around the country.  If you are still looking for a way to help, you can donate the following items to the effort by contacting:

Candace: 794-7319

Sasha: 703-2166 or 290-2693

Reynold: 463-6052

The Reformed Evangelical Church: 645-4926

Food Items ·         Tuna fish ·         Salmon ·         Sardines ·         Herring ·         Peanut Butter ·         Crackers ·         Bread ·         Frosted flakes ·         Cheerios ·         Cereal Bars ·         Milk ·         Juices ·         Water ·         Ketchup ·         Cookies ·         Chips ·         Easy to eat foods	Cleaning Supplies ·         Bleach ·         Washing soap ·         Disinfectant ·         Brooms ·         Mops ·         Buckets ·         Hoses ·         Cleaning cloths ·         Sponges ·         Gloves
Hygiene Items ·         Antibacterial hand wipes ·         Sanitary Napkins ·         Deodorant ·         Body Spray ·         Lotion ·         Vaseline ·         Cotton Swabs ·         Bath soap ·         Toothpaste ·         Toothbrushes	Stationary Items ·         Pencils ·         Pens ·         Notebooks ·         School books ·         Book bags ·         Crayons ·         Copy paper