How the Heart Hurts for Houston

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Yesterday I realized it was the 12 year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina landing in Louisiana and Mississippi. Twelve years ago I watched at my temp job as winds, water and levees breaking destroyed homes, towns, cities, roads, business, churches and lives. I felt in my bones I was called to help and joined my first mission trip that October. Five trips to MS and NOLA showed me the devastation of mucking out and cleaning out homes. Showed me the heart of people. Showed me the rebirth. The regrowth of a town. Of a city. How people were willing to run in and help. 

And here we are again. Glued to the news, watching Houston flood. Watching people flee for safety. Watching and crying as again people are driven from their homes. Some for the second time as many NOLA people migrated to Houston after Katrina. Heartbreaking. Beyond, just beyond. 

We are also seeing the good in humanity. The people running in to help. Borrowing boats to rescue people trapped. Churches opening their places to shelter. Furniture stores letting people rest and sleep in them because their homes were destroyed. JJ Watt constantly raising the bar for donations because people continue to answer the call. Please, if you haven't, answer the call. Be it money. Time. Things. Resources. Boats. Prayers. Answer the call, whatever it maybe. 

Do your research and make sure you are funding people, not pockets. UMCOR is an incredible organization who makes sure 100% of donates are used for help. Their motto is "First in, last out" just like the Marines. They are still doing work after Katrina, still in those areas and will be Houston until everyone is back on their feet. 

You don't need that new shirt. You don't need that cup of coffee. Put it towards helping your fellow humans. WE MUST ANSWER this call and help those in need. Let's be the country of people we know we can be together.