When Things Seem Impossible

Seven months after the Nashville flood of May 2010, Hope Force Reservists joined forces with The Southeast Recovery Center as they coordinated an effort over Thanksgiving week to help rebuild some of the 15,000 destroyed homes. The Recovery Center had been involved in the re-building of homes since the flood began and this endeavor brought together a large organization of over 1000 volunteers for 8 days as workforce. A local foundation provided major funding for materials and skilled labor. The funding Foundation required that any family receiving financial assistance should have a caseworker visit the site and make final assessments as to need. Hope Force took on the challenge to provide the additional caseworkers necessary to meet the crushing need. The effort came just in time as winter approached with still thousands without homes, low funds, and dwindling volunteers due to faltering media interest.

These caseworkers met with such families as James and "Jimmy" a couple who had been living in a hotel for 7 months since their small home was completely flooded and uninhabitable. The water came up nearly 5 feet in the living area, which all but destroyed personal belongings, furniture, appliances, electrical, drywall, flooring, etc.

James, a Vietnam veteran, was recovering from a major head injury, which left him with nearly non-existent short term memory, and unable to remember events on a day to day basis. His wife was physically disabled with debilitating arthritis and unable to leave the hotel. Because the couple were unable to make any progress on their home, the house was uninhabitable and far behind the re-building of most flood survivors in the area. Furniture, appliances and personal effects were stacked up in the middle of the house, with no room to work even if funding and volunteers were available. This couple had done their best, but truly needed help.

After meeting with the couple, Caseworkers pleaded with the Recovery Center and were able to get the family on the priority list, where they received full funding and labor to finish their tiny, modest home. Recently the house was dedicated, with Hope Force Reservists in attendance, as well as representatives from the Mayor's office and other agencies which had helped complete the house. In dedication to the Lord, words and prayers were spoken by all admiring the "new home." James and Jimmy were humbled and awed by the transformation. With tears of joy, words like, "newer" and "much better than before" pursed their lips.

It's just like God to do his best work when things seem so impossible, and to make something so tragic into something better than before.