Friday. It's hard to believe that it's been almost two weeks from THE FLOOD OF '08. My days are kinda blurring together...a mix of one and the blend of another.
This day was a pivotal day. This was the end of the restoration and cleaning phase, removal of all damaged debris, complete basement extraction from floor to wall to ceiling, final cleaning of all pieces that remained with a thin layer of mud that covered the bottoms of furniture, pews, plus many musical stands, and the pack up and send off of our restoration crews.
Yes, it was somewhat of an emotional day. You know what, these crews worked long and hard hours to bring our buildings through a long and arduous process of terminating the moisture and mold that would have run rampant throughout. BUT they got to it quickly! All in all it was 8 1/2 days in this first phase. Proud of what they accomplished. They've left a once beautiful church facility scarred with naked studs, bathrooms open from the floor up to about 3 feet high, the sanctuary platform taken apart and the youth chapel's totally removed, pews removed from their stud bolts, cabinets removed from the ground floor, offices turned inside out, the Information Center disassembled and the basement...whoa, this is the most unusual part. It has been gutted to the walls and ceilings...everything! Parts of the basement felt like a dark and dreary dungeon - without lights and without light paint on the walls. Everything is dark in those rooms where there isn't a window to let the natural light in.
Today was also the day when the last big dumpster was removed. It was yanked up on a guide rail like a big tonka toy and hoisted into position. The driver hopped up on the top, pulled the tarp over the load and jumped down to hook it in place. Quick. Rushed. He had to get to the next stop and away he went!
I gathered what remained of this large crew and took their picture. History was made when this company was brought to CFA to do something that our church had never done before in its almost 56 year historic run. These faces will be remembered with the FLOOD OF '08. In fact, I invited several of them to be in attendance when we gather to rededicate this building when it is completely finished and renovated...all for the glory of God! (One of the guys, Big Mike, has family in Indy...so you never know, he just might show up for the big event!)
Another neat opportunity today was to meet the volunteer chaplains with the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. They came to our building...not for the workers, not for the relief supplies, not to touch base with our command office...but rather to look for me! Can you believe it? They were concerned for the shepherd of this flock. They wanted to know how I was doing. Lord, thank you for sending Paul and Sue to pray with me and give me a hug! These days have been tiring and emotionally draining, but you knew just what I needed!
One of the contractors who will be bidding on phase 2 arrived with about 6 subcontractors today to get a close up view of the rebuilding project. They inspected, they scribbled down numbers, they asked questions, they reviewed the set of plans and then they were off. Lord, give us your wisdom in making the right decisions as we move into the next phase of this humongous reconstruction operation.
Encouraged by the generous actions of a church in Pendleton, Indiana who arrived this evening to unload a trailer of supplies and clothes for the people of our suffering community. My youth pastor and Rand Havens unloaded these goodies of gold in the sanctuary right beside the water and power aid that remains to be handed out. We even placed a news release in the paper to alert the community of these gifts of love that will be available on Monday, 9 to 5 pm, or until supplies last. No doubt the cars, vans and trucks (perhaps even mopeds) will stream into our parking lot, which has become a beacon of HOPE during this notable disaster. Lord, continue to allow our fellowship to grow in the ministry of compassion to the hurting, and may we never stop in reaching out to them with the simple means of conveying your love and your heart!
Attended the joyous occasion of a wedding rehearsal dinner tonight. A young lady from our church is getting married tomorrow. She was supposed to be married in our sanctuary, but because of the FLOOD OF '08, her plans and arrangements have been altered ever so dramatically. Lord, bless her special day in a great way tomorrow! May you shower her with your presence and fill her with your love!
We will continue to move forward in this unexpected journey of faith. It has tested every fiber of our spiritual lives. It has stretched us beyond all limits. It will reap a harvest of souls for the Master...because we are expecting it to and we believe this flood will accomplish just that. God, we don't know what we're doing, but our eyes are locked upon you. Show us the way. Lead us into the next phase, show us your divine will!
If you would pray for us, we would be so appreciative of your prayers. WE NEED THEM...I need them...they are our lifeline.
If you could make a contribution or send us a check we would count it an answer in meeting this overwhelming reconstruction need. We don't have the funds or the complete flood insurance to get us into the next phase....too much was lost and way too much damaged.
- Via our website: www.columbusfirstassembly.org (click on the online giving button)
- Via our address: CFA, 2100 Tenth Street, Columbus, IN 47201. Attn: Flood Fund
Much love to you and yours.
Blessings beyond all limits,
Pastor A.
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