Faith&Friends
SOMEONE CARES
One would think there’d be no time for conversation but, amazingly, there was always time for gratitude. had a meal. One of the many surprises was the food we served. When I first noticed Louisiana hot sauce packets on the truck, I almost removed it thinking, Why would they need that as a food staple? But as each day passed and the food choices got hotter and hotter—chicken fajitas and beans, beef brisket, chili dogs and even spicy potato chips—I reminded myself, Oh yes, I’m in Texas! We spent several days in Bayside, one of the communities worst hit by the storm, where we served up to 900 residents a day. Many of the folks came out to greet us to accept meals, and they would engage in warm chit-chat, even though the debris of broken trees and metal roofing from damaged homes were all around their yards and walkways. One would think there’d be no time for conversation but, amazingly, there was always time for gratitude. I can’t count how many times I heard, “We appreciate y’all,” “Thanks for all that you are doing” and “Y’all do a great work!” As brief as it was, we felt we were making a difference by offering hope.
6 • JANUARY 2018 I faithandfriends.ca
A Smile and a Wave We were recognized in public places, too. Even at local restaurants, warm remarks of gratitude flowed from the patrons as they passed by. Each time we approached a new community, we gasped at the damaged homes and businesses. The debris along some roadsides was bulldozed into enormous piles of wood, roofing, appliances, furniture and even mattresses. Hundreds of families would have to rebuild. In the midst of the suffering, I was amazed how grateful and resilient the people were. “Texans are like that!” said one woman who was living in her vacation trailer after her house was completely destroyed. One elderly woman told me that she used to be active in sports when she was younger but was feeling disheartened now. I shared a story about a hundred-year-old woman who entered a marathon and won a gold medal. (I didn’t dare tell her that she was the only person in her age group who entered the race, though!) Each day afterward when I saw that woman, she always greeted me with a smile and a wave.