Faith and Hope Hill
To the Editor:
I’ve read many views and opinions on the Hurricane Harvey disaster recovery work that was done here. As the founder of our disaster recovery team (FCDRT), I am humbled by the work that was done with and through our organization. My letter today is to give credit where credit is due. I’m sure that there will be critics, our life is filled with people that will disagree with us, regardless of our intentions. You see, the enemy wants us to live in fear so that he can paralyze us and stop us from carrying out the will of our Father in Heaven. In August of 2017, I said “yes,” not to man, but to the calling that God had put on my heart. God can do amazing things through us, if only we say “yes.”
That day changed my life. You think that, because you are doing something good, everyone would surely be on board. But, the enemy walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. The thing about it, he wasn’t fighting me or FCDRT, he was fighting God, and he used a host of people to do it. He spread lies, he created distention, he did everything in his power to stop God’s work in this community. Even the churches were afraid to get involved because of the controversy. I know that the enemy was cheering, thinking that his plan would destroy the work ahead. There were definitely days that I went home in tears asking God for the strength to carry out the job He had put in front of me. I didn’t know how He was going to do it; I just knew that if He put it in my heart, He would get it done.
God opened the doors to an amazing relationship with our friends at Mennonite Disaster Services (MDS), and He continued to open doors for us. Samaritan’s Purse was one of those opened doors. I prayed and God continued to answer those prayers with His Grace and favor. All the while the enemy was continuing to bang on our door. But God was faithful and always stood before us. They were like the barking dog on the other side of the fence… lots of noise but they can’t get close enough to hurt you. All the while, I continued to pray that God would change the hearts of those that were in opposition to our project.
The hand-off of Hope Hill to Samaritan’s Purse was the answer to a lot of prayer. It was something that I had prayed about from the start of the project. I felt as though Hope Hill was to be their (SP’s) project. We may have done all the groundwork and designed the plan, but if we could get Samaritan’s Purse to take over the project, we knew that they would do an amazing job. It was a difficult decision; this was a first for them. But God is a God of firsts. They have since done other similar projects as result of our partnership with them.
You see, we never really know what God has up His sleeve. People often ask me if I’m angry with those that grieved us during our recovery work. My answer … no way. How can I be angry when God simply answered my prayers? To see those who were so opposed actually attending the house blessings, and even coming out in support of our project, is a direct answer to my prayers. What I learned is that when God puts His vision in your heart, He will be there every step of the way, regardless of the obstacles. And there will be obstacles, but God will always finish what He started. We have to decide if we are here to please man or to please God.
I am grateful for those that God brought to the table. I am so thankful for all the amazing relationships that I am blessed to have as a result of this recovery work. God has brought amazing people into my life because I said yes to that vision. But the real credit doesn’t lie with me, the hundreds of volunteers, the many organizations that stepped up to help, the donors, or Samaritan’s Purse. The true credit goes to my Father in Heaven for always finishing what He started. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”
Joy Cameron
La Grange