430
Recovering from Hurricane Harvey has been a full on effort. Now in the wake of the violence in Santa Fe last Friday, many of the same organizations are seeking to support Santa Fe and surrounding areas. This is a beautiful sign of who we are at our best as humans—self-giving, compassionate and loving. We are seeing signs of hope all over in response to the tragic loss of 10 lives last Friday and a loss of innocence for us all. No question, it’s a tragic situation and we will be grieving for some time. But in the midst of the grief, I invite you to look for signs of Hope that God is at work even in the midst of this. When struggling with fear or hopelessness consider writing Hope on a dirty car or make a sign and give it to someone in need of a bit of hope. Galveston County Recovers, the umbrella group for Galveston County long-term recovery from Hurricane Harvey kicked off their summer of Hope this week on Wednesday by Chairperson Gary Scoggins. The many working groups contributed to the summer’s theme. The gathering was complete with prayers and being reminded each of them, as leaders, are signs of hope to us in the wider community, as well as, those individuals they faithfully serve day in and day out to help them to restore not only their homes but their hearts and their lives post Harvey. Pastor Robin Prayed over these gracious leaders a blessing and a declaration of Hope that in God’s Might we will restore all of Galveston County, one household at a time. This summer, countless volunteers will come to Galveston County as Signs of Hope. They will be given a reminder that they are Signs of Hope to us. They will also be challenged to name the Hope they see in one another as well as in those they come to know as they serve them. Upon completing their leg of the work, each group will be invited to leave a Sign of Hope with the homeowner they serve. Each volunteer group working with “Pops”, volunteer coor dinator for Galveston County restores will be given an orientation packet designed to help prepare them for the nature of the work . The theme of Hope will be laced throughout the packet. We specifically will invite them to name people and or actions which are Signs of Hope in the midst of who they meet and how they work together. The packet will include helpful tips for understanding behavioral health issues to give them an understanding for the emotional state of those they will be working with and how that may impact the workers themselves. A map of the area and the various businesses and facilities they might need, as well as, places to go and have fun will be included. In addition, we hope to invite them to reflect on their experience so that they might grow deeper in their relationship with God and one another. Each working group from Galveston County Recovers added their special gifting to the packet for our volunteers to help ensure they have the best possible experience. Gary Scoggins says, “We want them to have great experience in Galveston County and come back!” You can join in the SUMMER OF HOPE in a number of ways: By naming Signs of Hope that you see; pray for those in need of restoration; and the leadership and volunteers to be able to truly bring Hope to them. There are still many in the restoration process. Galveston County Recovers is committed to helping people recover from the effects of Hurricane Harvey through a coordinated recovery and community efforts. Learn more at GalvestonCountyRecovers.org and offering a Texas style hospitality to those you might see visiting us and our midst to keep reaching out to your neighbors knowing that there are still so very many in need of help to restore their homes and their hearts and continue healing. Finally, remember God loves you and Hope Wins because Love Wins. Grace and peace, Pastor Robin
