Monday, February 02, 2009

Apartment Fire 2200 Coffee RD. . .

The Red Cross was called to the scene of an apartment complex fire last Thursday morning that involved 16 units. In matter of minutes 40 individauls were displaced from their residences. I was called to the scene to help those who were unsettled with the events of the day. Emotions were high to say the least. Many of the residents had lived in the complex for more than a decade, many had their earthly treasures inside their apartments. All of the residents were told on Friday that the buidling was beyond repair and even though half of the apartments were untouched by the fire.

3 of the individuals have no family in town and no means to move to other apartments, physically by themselves. All three disabled in their own unique way. The property management company and the City of Modesto required them to have their belongings moved by Tuesday, morning Feb.3.

The Red Cross asked if our congregation could help with the moves. Aaron Scott and the youth group volunteered to help these people move. 20 of our teens and their parents packed boxes and moved them. Tears of joy flowed from one of the residents eyes as the last box was placed in his apartment. Aaron commented that it was amazing to see Jesus working at the apartment complex.

I was amazed at he power of the Gospel displayed by our youth. The apartments were dark and smelly from the smoke of the fire, the folks we were serving were frazzled by their life situation, yet they served with smiles on their faces.

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