Basement yields unbelievable mound...

Tuesday. Second day of the office week. Normal staff meeting. Regular communication with my staff on a variety of church issues. Sometimes a counseling session or missions committee meeting...but not today. The landscape has completely changed. Church is not as usual. The way we used to function has been replaced with a church in crisis mentality, and a community in dire need of help! Ministry schedules are extremely different now. Dress is now geared to "command center gear." We catch lunch if we can, but most of the time it is on the run...if we even get to take a bite at all.

If I could find a way to upload the multiple pictures that I've taken of the devastation in our area, I would...but so many cords, computers, chairs and curriculum (plus everything else!) has been destroyed in the flood. Even the pictures might make it simply look like a construction project...but this has been tagged "THE FLOOD OF 2008" in Columbus, Indiana. The destruction and mounds of waste is really unbelievable...if you've not seen it in person, pictures will not relay the true story. Today our work crews took literally several tons of waste - water soaked resources, books, tapes, doors, puppets, chairs, tables, walls, ceilings, doors, lessons, bookcases, drywall, cabinets, decorations, mud, paper mush, wooden platforms, pig farm dung, VBS sets, missionette supplies, royal ranger supplies, Sunday School stuff...I can't even to begin to name it all. They took it outside to the curb because the huge dumpster was full and awaiting pick up. Next, they built the largest CFA dump pit you will ever see. Trash, waste, damaged and destroyed things. GONE. Outta here...no more. But the dumpster company was already overbooked...everyone calling for help with their trash. Even the Indiana Department of Transportation has come to our city's aid with a fleet of some 20 huge trucks to help. Several even came down Iowa Street and helped pick up from the mountain of our mangled mess. Little by little the basement is being gutted to the block walls and ceiling. Even the furnaces will find it's place in the dumpster...almost everything! A strange and eerie sight...

Columbus is trying to get back to normal...but everyone is finding that it won't take a week or two, a month or two...it's gonna time much time to get us back up as a city and functioning again.
I've learned that banks, the hospital (projected 35 million project), businesses (one of my own men lost about everything in his basement business), some 1500 homes, several churches (with ours and one other small church that took the greatest beating), large corporations with millions of dollars in damages, roads, bridges, schools (one school gym and other classsrooms will be in the millions to recover), shopping centers, golf course, administration buildings....you name it, it was probably flooded!

This day was rather up and down. What do I mean? There were highs and lows. We continue to minister to families and individuals who drive up to our church looking for anything to help them. Our small stack of supplies on four pallets (in the sanctuary) is dwindling. We give what we have...but the need is so desperately great. Volunteers staff the church foyer looking for hurting people we can minister to and pray with, also giving them a booklet of hope that COH used in the recent outreach. We are still touching many people in the midst of our own trials. BUT GOD IS FAITHFUL...we are using this tragedy for GOOD, not evil. We will not sit down and stick our heads between our knees. We will (and we must) look up and lift our hands to the ONE who is worthy of our praise and call upon Him for assistance, comfort, wisdom, mercy and grace. Thank you Lord for allowing us to reach out and transform lives through your power and might. You said, "When we are weak that is when you are strong." Please be strong in us for your glory! Be glorified in this situation "beyond all limits!"

I met with two general contractors who we have contacted about rebuilding and reconstruction. From what I heard from them, this is a major and extensive project...not just a little drywall and paint. City codes have changed since the building programs of the 50's and 60's. We can't just put it back like it was...times have changed on the landscape of what is required for public buildings; plus Columbus is known for being tough on building projects. Permits will not be handed out like candy. We are faced with some serious and demanding decisions for what we must do as a church. There are huge implications...way beyond us but not beyond our awesome God. He has the Master Plan...remember? It is deeply overwhelming, but with God all things are possible. I BELIEVE IT! As I've ministered to my congregation thus far - "Lord, I don't know what to do...but my eyes are upon you. You have the perfect path filled with more than enough resources to do what you intend to do right here @ CFA!" Friends, keep praying for our church!

I said goodbye to my brother who visited me from Lincoln, Illinois. I'm gonna miss him being around. He was a messenger of encouragement and wisdom. He's been around the church building block a time or two in his ministry. He offered advice and counsel. Wonder what God is planning...wonder what God is doing through the river. Lord, I truly believe that this river of mud and muck that hit our church head-on will be transformed into your mighty river of the Holy Spirit that will rise...and crest...and overtake this city for your glory. Let it happen according to your will! Let every church be involved in this revival. Lives being transformed by the power of your love! It's beginning to happen...

I'm getting reports that God is taking this message of what our church has been involved with around the world. Radio, newspapers, blogs and email messages are circulating about Columbus, Indiana and even CFA directly. Lord, please send the help and assistance to support the magnitude of your vision that you are implanting in my heart for this church. It really is beyond my wildest imagination and dreams! Make it happen.

You may want to read some other stories that mention our profound situation:
http://klove.com/News (click on the 2nd story under Your Faith)
http://www.msmission.blogspot.com
http://convoyofhope.org/go/usdisaster/details/despite_flood_convoy_of_hope_helps_church_reach_out
http://www.news-leader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880611017

If God is speaking to your heart about being involved in the mighty miracle here @ CFA, then please respond to what the Spirit is directing you to do. You can go to our website and make a contribution, marking it for the FLOOD FUND (bottom left button marked "online giving"): http://www.columbusfirstassembly.org

God will provide. God will meet this overwhelming and pressing need. The mountain will move. Will you serve on my mountain-moving team? I desperately need you. You never know how God will use you...and you...and me...and him...and her..it's gonna happen, gonna see it with my own two eyes. Can't wait to see our new church filled with people we have met, and loved, and helped, and prayed with and reached out to in this disaster. I'm going to invite them all to our grand re-opening....whenever that might be!!!!!!!

Thanks for the prayers. That is how I'm functioning right now...with prayer-powered support.

Faith, hope and love to you!

Until tomorrow...