Wow, talk about a whirlwind, from October 20^th through November 14^th we did our share of burning the midnight oil, and covering over 8,000 miles.  Traveling by car and train through eight states and flying to two more through four time zones.  During all that time I think I only spent three or four nights at home.  I was once asked, “In all your travels, do you have a favorite place?”  My answer didn't take long,”Yes, my own bed.”  Don't get the wrong idea, I love the ministry but I have a fond affection for my own pillow. 

I'll attempt to give you a brief rundown.  First on the “tour” was a little bit of a “secret mission” in Nashville for a few days.  I can't spill the beans right now but we have a project that is so exciting I can hardly contain myself.  I think you'll agree once the soon coming announcement is made.  Don't try to guess, you'll miss it by a mile, and just because it's Nashville, I'm not  singing.  Those of you who know me can attest to the fact I can do many things well but I can't carry a tune in a bucket with a lid on it.  Stand by for details. 

As many of you know we still have ongoing projects in New Orleans and that was the next stop as I was the guest speaker for on of the city's larger manufactures at one of their executive round table meetings.  I am always fascinated to watch  other true professionals excel in their field.

Unfortunately the trip had to be cut short by a couple of days due to the sudden line of duty death (LODD) of one of our Illinois State Police troopers.  Our condolences are with the widow and family of Trooper Brian McMillen who was killed in a car crash with two other vehicles in response to a large disturbance at an area bar.  Both of the other drivers are in custody with DUI and various murder charges.  Brian had just graduated from the ISP  Academy in February of 2007, top of his class and class president.  He had served our nation with three overseas combat tours including Iraq.  He was one of ten siblings and is survived by his 24 year old widow and parents.  Your prayers for his family and all of us in ISP are sincerely coveted. 

You may remember a little incident recently called the San Diego wildfires.  This was my second time responding there, the first being the fire back in 2003.  It hardly seems like four years since being there.  In the '03 fires just shy of one million acres burnt.  This time the count is around half a million with the biggest difference being this time there was much more property damage and homes destroyed.  As the Santa Ana winds create their own wrap around patterns it took the fires right into the residential areas.   The embers were running two miles in front of the fire line making it almost impossible to predict where to set up the back burns. 

However in keeping with Isaiah's scripture “to give them beauty for ashes” we partnered with other organizations in the area.  One such organization was the La Mesa fire department in assisting one of their own in FF Dan Lachenburch.  Dan was on the fire line when the firestorm raced through his neighborhood destroying several homes including his own.  It was amazing to see how random the fire was in that area.  Some homes next to his were also destroyed and yet ones across the street survived. 

This next one is for those who still don't think God is a rewarder of those who faithfully serve Him.  Earl Carter was one of those guys who was always there to help others.  His wife might say so much so that “when are you coming home to do our house.”  Earl was involved in the rebuilding of twenty homes from the '03 fires, some just finishing in the last year.  It was ironic when Earl lost his home in the fires last month.  When these folks learned of Earls mis fortune guess who pitched in to get Earls lot cleared?  His friends.  We were privileged to show up one morning ready to do business.  Earls lot was cleared in one day, a minor miracle.  Now for the major miracle.  Playing like a trained CSI sifting through the ash, we recovered several valuables in his “house” including his wife's diamond ring and other small valuables.   Can you say, God cares, oh yea.   Afterward we had a short service and tree planting. 

After the Fire

Cleanup Results

Tree-Planting

As you can see from the photos these fires are all-consuming leaving nothing behind except metal frames.  From being around fires I can assure you the heat and intensity is incredible.  Even in a common house fire there is always something of a remnant of the structure.  Not here, these are consuming fires that are not quenched. 

 

I'm reminded of a story from the first fires in '03.  One of the firemen and a pastor in a small village told me of their evacuation and watching the fire approach from the safety  of the other side of the canyon.  I was told the fire came over the crest of the hill 1700 feet above the creek on the canyon floor about a half mile wide.  What I was told next still freezes me with a chill.  They said the fire hit the creek in six seconds leaving nothing but ash in it's wake.  I'm not a mathematician but I think that's close to or over 200mph of consuming inferno.  Talk about giving new meaning to the phrase.....be ready for your time. 

 

If you still haven't had enough, hang on, we're not going home yet, we're off to Greensburg Kansas.  You may remember that a tornado leveled the town back in May of this year.  In a town of 1500 on the Kansas plains all form of stability as we know it was destroyed in a matter of seconds.  Over 500 homes and businesses were leveled.  If you lived there you lost your school, the city buildings, stores, all the churches and your home. 

 

Take a minute and let that sink in.  All normalcy is gone, folks are working on “the new normal” and still trying to figure that out.  The school is housed in portable modular “classrooms.”  An all purpose building was hastily erected this summer to serve as the cafeteria, gym, auditorium and everything else that needs to squeeze in there.  You're not really sure what is going to happen with your church.  Business and families are asking the proverbial question to one another, “Who goes first, the chicken or the egg.”  In other words, are the businesses coming back?  If so we'll rebuild our houses.  And,... are the people coming back, if so, we'll take the chance and go in debt to rebuild our businesses. 

  One thing I can assure you for a fact.  The character of the people and leaders we met with are determined to look at every angle and rebuild their town.  In speaking with the city manager, community leaders and clergy they will take one step at a time and lay it line upon line and precept upon precept.  Solid thinking, sound thinking.  Personally, I think it will happen.  We are already looking at what projects we can assist with and possibly doing our annual 911 outreach there in 2008. 

There is really nothing after the F-4 tornado that was 1.8 miles wide

The “new normal.” FEMAville as the local folks have affectionately named their new quarters

 

I realize this has been a little longer than most letters but the incidents warranted the response.  As I've said many times in the past, we can't choose when tragedy or disaster hits, in fact, I don't know a convenient time for a crisis.   The same is true for the victims, they can't choose when an incident happens nor do they choose to be a part of it as a victim.  We can only respond to the best of our ability.   

For the folks who were burned out in the wildfires, or lost homes and possessions in tornadoes and floods this year it will be a little different for the holidays.  Some will have friends or relatives to stay with.  Others will not.  Some will go back to work, others don't have a business or employer to go back to.  The loss of friends, homes, churches, schools, businesses, and even entire communities can be overwhelming. 

 

I'm reminded of the “fire of God” (lightning) that fell on Job's flock and servants, and the  “great whirlwind” (tornado) that struck Job's sons house and killed all his children.  I'm also sure you've heard all the many opinions and theological explanations related to Job and these events.  In all due respect, I'm not interested in hearing any more of them.  What I do see is a man who persevered through a horrendous situation, did not turn away from God, waited for God and was once again blessed by God.

 

 Most of us will think the blessing came in the fact that Job was blessed with even more than he lost, and  he certainly was.  However, I can't help to feel Job saw the blessing that permeated his very soul was that he had an audience with the Almighty himself.   What that must have been like, an intimate conversation with God, and He did the talking.  The fact is that God still makes house calls. 

 

As I've stood in the midst of, and in the aftermath of, great fires, heard the roars of tornadoes, storms and floods.  It still seem to me that I've only caught a glimpse of God in the still small voice that whispers in my ear during the crisis itself.  I keep waiting for it to get a little louder but it's still the same volume.  The thing I have no doubt of is that it is consistent. 

 

As this year closes out, I think one of my strongest prayers is for that same consistency in my life and ministry.  I can't help to feel that as the times and events we face in the future will only grow more challenging, it will be our consistency and simple trust in God Almighty himself above all else.  In closing let me ask you to please keep us and those we serve consistently in your prayers.  Until next time, I'll be ................

 

Responding to the Call....................Blessings, Chaplain Steve