|
It is
difficult for many of us to think in terms of neighborhood
ministry. We immediately start thinking of specialization
(e.g. “Our church will do this and the next church will do the
other”). In times of disaster, communication is difficult and
sometimes almost non-existent (i.e. people don’t know where
the help is!), many people do not have cars, and people wait
for hours in a line for ice and water.
The process of
going to one site for some food, another site for help with
the FEMA application, and another site for something else is
not only extremely frustrating for people who are already hot,
confused, and distraught, but oftentimes impossible,
especially if they no longer have transportation.
Hence, we move into a neighborhood concept. People come to the local
church where they are helped in whatever way is needed and in
whatever ways the church is prepared. They get a meal, get
some groceries, get answers to questions about FEMA, or where
they can find help for their baby who needs special formula.
They get prayer, an encouraging word, and find that there are
people who are interested in THEM as individuals, not just as
a number or as one in a line of 4000 people. |
