Pat…

February 03, 2012 | by Bill Isaacs | Category: Leadership, Personal Growth,

I lived through Hurricane Katrina and the devastating impact of the storm on the Gulf Coast region of our country in the summer of 2005.  For months and years now, the region has been rebuilding from all that was done in one 24-hour period that began late on Saturday evening and lasted into Sunday.  Straight-line winds of more than 160 mph hit the city of New Orleans and the western border of Mississippi destroying anything in its path.  More than 1,000 persons were killed in the storm.  Some bodies were never recovered.  They were blown from their houses or drowned in the tidal surge and then taken back out to sea, while others failed to listen to warnings and were senselessly killed by the direct hit from the storm. 

The beauty of what happened in the weeks after the storm is a story of how people came together to help one another rebuild.  I was eyewitness to groups of educators from Washington state who came to New Orleans to do what they could.  We helped a suburban Chicago church do a complete home makeover for a needy family in the lower 9^th Ward.  Over and over, we saw numbers of people who dropped their existing world and came to the aid and assistance of unknown but needy people.  I never ceased being amazed by the impact these volunteers had on the hope, vitality and future of people they did not know. 

I write extensively about this in What Our Storms Teach Us (Derek Press 2006) and how God positioned others near to help us.  One of those I mention is a man named “Pat.”  I only know his first name because he never offered more.  He came rather unexpectedly to our relief center in New Orleans and stayed for about three weeks.  We soon came to call him our “minister of procurement” because Pat could get almost anything done, delivered or accomplished in the maddening confusion of life in post-Katrina New Orleans.  You need baby formula for a Hispanic couple that shows up at closing…?  Pat got it.  Find you are out of ice before a big meeting of civic leaders who are coming to the center for review and funding considerations…?  Pat found it.  The stink overwhelming from the dumpsters which have not been dumped in weeks because sanitation is still trying to get up and running again…?  Pat highjacks a driver from the city and our dumpsters are first in line for dumping.  It was amazing to watch.  Pat was a strange man, never bathed or washed his long stringy hair and beard; never slept one night in the facility…always in his dilapidated Honda, he affectionately called his “Hilton Hotel!”  Then, as strangely as he showed up, one day he was gone and we never said goodbye or thank you!

Years later, I wonder if Pat was an angel sent by God because we needed one.  I don’t know. What I do know is God is always bringing people into your view, who can help you accomplish your assignment.  You should begin to be very aware that these people who are now near are there on a God-assignment.  The Lord knows you need them and their gifts are important to your success.  We don’t always appreciate the way God helps our weaknesses…how he makes sure the right people are “near” when the storm is about to hit.

Operation Compassion was a huge help to our relief efforts and I learned later than in the days before Katrina hit, they began moving their systems and supplies “in range” as they called it, so that rapid response was able once the storm cleared.  Isn’t that the way God is? 

I will answer them before they even call to me.  While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers! (Isaiah 65:24)

About the author
Bill is the Administrative Bishop in Ohio for the CHurch of God denomination. He's also a dad, grand dad, & author.