How to Love Your Neighbor During a Natural Disaster - Amy Lively

    When the damage is unbelievable and unbearable, far away or more than you can fix on your own, how can we respond?

    Pray for emergency responders and ongoing search efforts; for the many people affected by these storms as they grieve and recover; for volunteers and community leaders as they assess the situation and begin to serve the hurting. Long after the disaster spins out of the 24-hour news cycle, remember to pray for those whose lives are still disrupted and hurting. 

    Find a reputable organization to make a direct contribution. Oftentimes a local church, charity, or bank will collect donations that will be used in the affected area. Samaritan’s Purse mobilizes and equips thousands of volunteers to provide emergency aid to U.S. victims of wildfires, floods, tornadoes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. In the aftermath of major storms, they often stay behind to rebuild houses for people with nowhere else to turn for help. 

    Bob is also an organizer for Samaritan’s Purse who has planned several trips around the country as disasters strike. (Did I mention that Bob is in his 80’s?) Eleven months after the tornadoes, I was privileged to serve for a week in Mayfield, Kentucky with Bob, my husband, my cousin, a bunch of our dear friends, and the Samaritan’s Purse rebuilding team.  

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