Adventist Community Services Director W. Derrick Lea maintains belief in the blessings of God Amidst Trial.

Recently, I was sent a post that made the rounds on social media channels about the devastating fires that had affected the town of Lahaina in Maui, Hawaii. The focus of the post was to demonstrate that one church, a Seventh-day Adventist church, made it through the fires untouched, and that this fact was the result of being a praying community.

I paused as I considered the many crisis events I’d seen over the past ten years. I remembered one call I received early one morning. I had been told that one of our churches had been blown away and completely destroyed.  While this was news that concerned me, I was encouraged by the fact that no one was killed. Yes a church had been destroyed, but no life had been lost and I remember thinking, “what a blessing from God!”

I then thought of one of the areas that had experienced historic fires where many people were being forced out of their homes. Unfortunately, in this particular crisis event, a number of people were killed while fleeing, some of whom were members of local churches. And while this was a depressing set of circumstances, the Adventist Community Services (ACS) teams came together and set up a distribution center and also tended to the emotional and spiritual care needs of those impacted by the devastating fires. While the community struggled during the recovery, we were able to show God’s love to those that were in crisis and again I remember thinking, what a blessing from God!

So, I guess what I’ve been pondering are the questions that many ask, “Do bad things only happen to “bad” people?” While I’m positive this isn’t the message that the social media post about the standing SDA church in Lahaina intended to convey, it did make me stop and think about what I believe as well as the messages that my words convey.

My pondering also led me straight to the source of all truth. I wanted to see what the Bible said about God’s response to the crises in our lives. I was reminded of the following:

1. God is eternal, infinite, and omniscient and we cannot and will not ever fully understand all of His ways or purposes. This is exemplified by the story of Job. God called Job a righteous man (Job 1:1), yet he suffered in ways beyond belief. Job had no idea what was happening behind the scenes. He had no ideas as to why God had allowed Satan to wreak absolute havoc in Job’s life. Despite Job’s suffering, he remained hopeful, exclaiming, “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him” (Job 13:15). “The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).

2.  Not one of us is perfect. We live in a fallen world, and all are tainted by sin (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8; Luke 18:19). At some point in time, we will each experience the effects of living in this sin-filled and evil world in one form or another, the “good” and the “bad.” The difference will be in our response to suffering – our personal suffering as well as the suffering of others.  Christians recognize that this world is not our destination. And though it be marred with suffering, sin, devastation, and loss, we should maintain an eternal perspective: “We do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:16–18).

3. God can use “bad” or catastrophic things that have happened to us or to others, ultimately for His good and His glory (Romans 8:28).

4. Crisis events are opportunities for deeper ministry and service. “Praise be to…the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as we share abundantly in the sufferings of Christ, so also our comfort abounds through Christ” (2 Corinthians 1:3–5).

I am always encouraged by the work and the response of the Adventist Community Services workers and volunteers all across the North American Division. In each of the above incidents described, these workers went to work and ensured that the communities in need were supported.

The fact is, God blesses and walks with us through the good and the bad. I rely on Exodus 15:2 which state, “the Lord is my strength and my song; He has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise Him.”

While this may seem challenging as we strive to live in this fallen world, it gives us a foundation that steadies us during crisis. We must remember always that God is good, just, loving, and merciful (Psalm 135:3) and we trust Him, even when we don’t understand.

 

Repeated occurrences of water failures indicate neglect, and call for long-term solutions.

#FaithfilledFridays #FaithwithWorks #Faithworks #handsandfeet

Because of my work in Disaster Response as well as my love of travel, I have been blessed to see many wonders of the world. I’ve witnessed God’s magnificent creation. And, unfortunately, I’ve seen  devastation. I’ve witnessed the aftermath of typhoons in Saipan and hurricanes in New Orleans. I’ve also witnessed the despair caused by man-made devastation after mass shootings in Parkland, Florida and Buffalo, New York. However, at no time have I seen such helplessness as witnessed on my recent visit to Jackson, Mississippi.

Yes, the damage to their water system contributed to their recent crisis. And yes, this frustrating crisis once again interrupted everyday life. The lack of clean water causes panic. Anger simmers because answers to the many legitimate questions come so slowly. But what I saw here in Jackson, Mississippi was deeper than that.

What I saw was a sadness reflected in the eyes of the homeless congregated on the doorsteps of my hotel. What I experienced was children who appeared barren of curiosity and joy. A sense of hopelessness started to envelope me. It wasn’t because of contaminated water, but because of years of oppression, injustice, and neglect in everything, including the water system on which these people depend.

Resignation and Acceptance of the “Crisis”

As I walked around the parking lot of the E. E. Rodgers Elementary school where three local churches had come together to distribute 20,000 bottles of water, I sensed a certain acceptance of the current situation.

I listened to horror story after horror story from church members who were volunteering as well as from the locals in the community, and each story concluded with an attitude of “oh well, that’s the way it is.”

One of the long-time residents, Belinda Jenkins, shared a memory of boiling the family’s water as a little girl years ago.  Brown water, low pressure to flush your toilets, and particles in your bath water were par for the course in Jackson, she said. Not a new phenomenon, rather an everyday occurrence. This truly saddened me, and I found myself wanting to scream at someone! We are in the year 2022 living in the United States of America and there is a city within our borders that can’t guarantee clean water to drink, brush your teeth or even flush your toilet.

To address the current “water crisis” in Jackson,  I, along with local, state and federal leaders,  participated on a conference call. Organized by the State of Mississippi to discuss this current situation, each entity detailed how it was assisting. And, while I like to see these organizations spring into action I often leave the calls still frustrated.

I can’t help but wonder why I feel this way because like every crisis before this one, people are stepping up and are working hard to get water to the people. Volunteers are coming forth. Monies are being donated for warehousing and water. Attention is being given.

Perhaps I’m more frustrated this time because very few seem to be listening to this problem. Perhaps I’m more frustrated because the challenges are so deep rooted and so complex.

What will happen to the people when the spotlight dims and the public attention is averted to the next crisis? How can these short-term solutions solve the deeper issues of poverty, numerous injustices, and despair? Few conversations taking place consider long-term solutions. If we just concentrate on the long-term solution to the water problem, that alone will cost upwards of two billion dollars.

And that just addresses clean water. We haven’t even tackled the challenges of quality education, access to nutritious food, housing, employment and a huge infusion of hope.

I know that one person, nor one organization can meet all of the needs for the people of Jackson. But my hope is that because we have now been made aware of the needs, each of us can commit ourselves to making a difference, yes during this immediate crisis, but more importantly, in the long-term transformation. Maybe too much for one, but if each one of us work together, I know that we can make a difference. Here are a few ways that you can support in Jackson.

 

 

Support the people of Jackson, Mississippi

Monetary Donations

Financial donations can help those on the ground respond to the changing needs more efficiently and are greatly appreciated. Financial donations can be sent via and all monies sent will go directly to 715 Youngs Lane, Nashville, TN 37207

 

Water Donations

Water can be sent to the Adventist Community Services (ACS) Community Center at the following address: 1066 W. Woodrow Wilson Ave Jackson, MS 39213

 

Prayer

Pray without ceasing for:

• The residents of Jackson. Pray not only for clean drinking water, but that the city of Jackson will experience an outpouring of the Holy Spirit and will have their fill of the Living Water so that they may never thirst again.
• Those on the ground working daily on behalf of those in Jackson. Our local ACS team led by Co-Directors Lillie Buckingham and Barbara Barnes rely on the Central Mississippi Federation who is working through Berean SDA Church, Pastor Edward Harden and South Jackson SDA Church, Pastor Michael Mickens. These local groups on the ground are delivering water three times each week for the foreseeable future. While they have the support of the Adventist Church on a local, regional and national scale, they will need more for the mammoth task that lies ahead.
• The local, state and federal leaders. Pray that they see beyond the immediate crisis and that they resolve to provide the necessary funds and support needed to make meaningful and lasting change.

 

On God’s Program

My visit to Jackson was certainly a wake-up call for me.

I remember that while there is poverty and suffering everywhere, we serve a God Who is the originator of sheltering programs (Isaiah 25:4, Psalm 27:5 and 91:1-2), emergency food assistance programs (Matthew 14:13-21, John 6:48-51), no child left behind (Matthew 19:14), and poverty eradication programs (Proverbs 50:10).

We know that it’s in our weaknesses and frustrations that God works best (2 Corinthians 12:9) and I have renewed my trust in Him. Knowing that all those who are helping and giving are making a difference strengthens me. So, it is my prayer that each of you not lose hope, remembering that God loves, sees and hears His children in Jackson, Mississippi.

Now let’s go be the hands and feet of Jesus, as we bring forth light and hope.