The recent snow, followed by rising temperatures and an abundance of rain, have caused all of us in the Salem/Keizer area to experience inconveniences of varying scale. Some of us were barely affected; watching the weather and its effects from the comfort of our television sets. Others had to process alternate routes to their destinations while driving, as many a road was closed due to high water marks. Still other communities were fully evacuated in the face of flooding. Some unfortunate souls found themselves caught up in the midst of the waters, as their whole world washed away.
It's this latter group I'm focusing on tonight.
When you look at the picture above, chances are pretty good that you'll see a road, terminating into what appears to be a pond. This area, ironically named Wallace Marine Park, completely flooded a couple of days ago, and the waters are only just beginning to recede. What you may not think about, is that this park is home to several "urban campers"- homeless people who are just like you and me in every way, except for being "address challenged".
Droves of campers were literally pulled from chest high waters; some were hospotalized with hypothermia, while some suffered other forms of shock. Almost all of them lost what little clothing or worldly possessions they had. Thankfully, some of the folks from WSFC's City Vibe outreach were ready, willing and able to help in any way they could. Local churches, such as Soma, and others have offered up what precious resources they had, so that the flood victims could have a warm, dry place to rest (and perhaps even receive a meal and pair of warm socks). It's far from over, and they could use your help and resources. Please, get in touch with WSFC, Soma, or any other local church that's supporting these broken, hurt and hungry brothers and sisters in Christ.
We're supposed to "Love them until they ask why", right? Let me tell you, they're already asking 'Why'. "Why is this happening to me?" "Why did God allow this tragedy?" Let's love on them together, and reflect God's love for each one of them.
Good Night
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