I was reading the July 2009 issue of Christianity Today and came across an article called "Cuba for Christ-Ahora!" It was talking about the revival that began 15 years ago and has led to astounding growth in the local church.
Though the church faces regulations and restrictions since the 1959 Revolution the current church body is made up of young and bold pastors, leaders and members who are carrying the gospel of Christ into the neighborhoods and streets. They are bold and unashamed of their faith and simply want their people to know of the liberating truth of Christ.
As one of the members is quoted from the article said- "The Church in Cuba is alive, growing, faithful, and active and persevering through difficulty."
I was interested in some of the main things that have led to the growth of this generation of Christians. In addition of course to the Holy Spirit, two main things that I can point to is that. One- the church realized that they needed a spirit of unity, of non-denominational work and ministry pulling everyone together- "One Christ, One Cuba, In Christ we are one!"
The other was that a devastation hurricane hit the island in 2008. Local churches repaired the destroyed roofs od their non-Christian neighbors first BEFORE repairing the roofs of church members. This won Christians new respect throughout Cuba!
This is what Christ was teaching us when he said to Love our Neighbors as we Love ourselves. To serve others FIRST. To be Good Samaritans and care for those hurting, in grief, in crisis and trauma.
So let us pray for our brothers and sisters in Cuba. Pray that they will continue to be a beacon of hope and that they continue to bring more people to the truth. And let us strive to serve those in despair in a hurtful world!
Let's live ready to respond everybody!
For full article go to-
http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2009/july/22.20.html
Peace- Edward
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Justice Revival Coming to Dallas!
I recently attended a planning session for the upcoming Justice Revival (Coming November 10-12 at Dallas Market Hall) and I really want to help get the word out on this needed and exciting project- one designed to "Change Your City!"
Their mission:
Over three days of prayer, preaching and worship, the body of Christ will awake to new life, uniting to answer Jesus' call to biblical justice.
By the end of 2010, our prayer is that at least 200 Dallas area churches will answer this call by:
•Creating 25 partnerships with public schools
•Advocating for 700 new units of permanent supportive housing
Victim Relief Ministries (VRM) will be involved in several key serving roles in this outreach and details will soon be going out to our network of volunteers. BUT everyone reading this that can get to Dallas needs to get involved and get their church involved and start praying for God to move across Dallas!
To get more information and to get registered go to:
www.justicerevival.org
It will change your city!
It will change your life!
Serve others and impact others in the name of Christ!
Living ready!
Edward
Their mission:
Over three days of prayer, preaching and worship, the body of Christ will awake to new life, uniting to answer Jesus' call to biblical justice.
By the end of 2010, our prayer is that at least 200 Dallas area churches will answer this call by:
•Creating 25 partnerships with public schools
•Advocating for 700 new units of permanent supportive housing
Victim Relief Ministries (VRM) will be involved in several key serving roles in this outreach and details will soon be going out to our network of volunteers. BUT everyone reading this that can get to Dallas needs to get involved and get their church involved and start praying for God to move across Dallas!
To get more information and to get registered go to:
www.justicerevival.org
It will change your city!
It will change your life!
Serve others and impact others in the name of Christ!
Living ready!
Edward
Friday, September 11, 2009
Remembrance for 9-11-01 and Thanks on 9-11-09
Along with millions of other Americans and people around the world, I am reflecting on the events that occurred 8 years ago.
I am remembering the attack, I am remembering the horrific events from that attack, the planes going into the towers, one going into the pentagon and the other that would be wrestled to the ground in the field in Pennsylvania.
As I reflect I think of all my connections to that event.
The first connection-
I had just come back the day before from a business trip in Manhattan and had been commuting back and forth for nearly a year to New York City and I could not believe the scenes unfolding on my TV screen.
The second connection-
My brother was a pilot at United Airlines and it was his co-workers that perished on the flight that went into the second tower. It was a flight he almost took.
The third connection-
I had a co-worker that was supposed to have been on the American Airlines flight from Boston that was hijacked and diverted into New York and slammed into the first tower, it took all day for us to verify he was alright. He would have been in First Class but had worked late into the night and was too tired to fly out early that morning and elected to catch a later flight. A decision that saved his life.
The fourth connection-
The company I was working with at that time was working on a public option with a company based in the tower in Manhattan. The executives in the group he was working with- all died that morning.
The fifth connection-
Over in the Pentagon a third plane struck killing and wounding hundreds in the early morning hours. A Chaplain was working in the Pentagon who was also a chaplain, he is Colonel David Park. He was quickly to the horrible scene trying to rescue and evacuate people. He then gave assistance at the triage/hospital area temporarily set up at the Pentagon. It is a day that he will never forget.
He would connect in my life in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina as the Incident Commander at the Family Assistance Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where Victim Relief Ministries (VRM) would serve for 6 months as the chaplains to assist the spiritual and emotional needs of families who lost loved ones from the Hurricane. I came to know him as a great friend and servant of the people. He would become a part of the Victim Relief Family (as are many people reading this blog or on my Facebook or Twitter network) as a chaplain and trainer for VRM. He will be a presenter at the 10th Anniversary Celebration and Conference November 6-7 in Dallas, Texas. (www.victimrelief.org and www.victimchaplain.org)
The Sixth Connection-
Though Victim Relief Ministries (VRM) was born in 1999 it really began its role in Disaster Relief in the Ground Zero of the Twin Towers under Gene Grounds. The events of 9-11 is how I connected to VRM as I desperately looked for ways to serve my nation and help others. God led me to VRM where I served in many roles as a Volunteer for the next 8 years and today I serve full time as VRM Deputy Executive Director under Gene Grounds and carry other titles and duties as Director of Disaster Response and Director of Training.
So, 9-11 really is cause of reflection and remembrance and it connected many dots that led me to volunteer and serve my nation through VRM in missions and operations that include Columbia Space Shuttle Disaster, Hurricane Katrina, Rita, Ike and many floods, fires and tornadoes.
Our nation is unique, powerful, vulnerable, open, nervous, proud, creative and industrious. It is fraught with dangers, pitfalls and problems it has also proved to be a beacon of real hope to the world and I am proud that in over 200 years it has continued to overcome all obstacles and problems and challenges it has faced- and I give great thanks to God for this nation and for guiding us as one nation under God and respect those who don't see it that way, but I will stand up for God and my nation.
As I reflect, I want to end with this thought and this vision. Let us go back to the firefighters and law enforcement agencies who rushed TOWARD the burning twin towers and INTO the burning Pentagon to rescue people knowing full well the dangers confronting them. Let us go into the United Flight where the passengers stood up and FACED their hijackers. Who rushed FORWARD against the terrorist. Who FOUGHT against armed men and who nearly took full control of the cockpit- but in their struggle they prevented the hijackers from striking the White House, their battle took them down into the empty field now filled with their brave spirits.
They all fired the first shots back against our attackers.
That is the story of the birth of our country. I give thanks on 9-11-09 for the men and women who sacrificed their lives on 9-11-01. And I will give remembrance of nearly 3,000 Americans and citizens of 90 countries who were murdered that day.
I give thanks to all who serve in our military, national guards, fire departments, law enforcement agencies, emergency management people and all who work to secure our safety and look out for our way of life. I give thanks for freedom of worship, for a Republic that is free and people can speak out and vote for changes and defend the values dear to them.
I give thanks for organizations and ministries like VRM and Salvation Army that have armies of volunteers that serve others first.
We will win if we remember the victories that have come from our darkest defeats. I thank you God for this nation and pray for all those serving around the world!
I am remembering the attack, I am remembering the horrific events from that attack, the planes going into the towers, one going into the pentagon and the other that would be wrestled to the ground in the field in Pennsylvania.
As I reflect I think of all my connections to that event.
The first connection-
I had just come back the day before from a business trip in Manhattan and had been commuting back and forth for nearly a year to New York City and I could not believe the scenes unfolding on my TV screen.
The second connection-
My brother was a pilot at United Airlines and it was his co-workers that perished on the flight that went into the second tower. It was a flight he almost took.
The third connection-
I had a co-worker that was supposed to have been on the American Airlines flight from Boston that was hijacked and diverted into New York and slammed into the first tower, it took all day for us to verify he was alright. He would have been in First Class but had worked late into the night and was too tired to fly out early that morning and elected to catch a later flight. A decision that saved his life.
The fourth connection-
The company I was working with at that time was working on a public option with a company based in the tower in Manhattan. The executives in the group he was working with- all died that morning.
The fifth connection-
Over in the Pentagon a third plane struck killing and wounding hundreds in the early morning hours. A Chaplain was working in the Pentagon who was also a chaplain, he is Colonel David Park. He was quickly to the horrible scene trying to rescue and evacuate people. He then gave assistance at the triage/hospital area temporarily set up at the Pentagon. It is a day that he will never forget.
He would connect in my life in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina as the Incident Commander at the Family Assistance Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where Victim Relief Ministries (VRM) would serve for 6 months as the chaplains to assist the spiritual and emotional needs of families who lost loved ones from the Hurricane. I came to know him as a great friend and servant of the people. He would become a part of the Victim Relief Family (as are many people reading this blog or on my Facebook or Twitter network) as a chaplain and trainer for VRM. He will be a presenter at the 10th Anniversary Celebration and Conference November 6-7 in Dallas, Texas. (www.victimrelief.org and www.victimchaplain.org)
The Sixth Connection-
Though Victim Relief Ministries (VRM) was born in 1999 it really began its role in Disaster Relief in the Ground Zero of the Twin Towers under Gene Grounds. The events of 9-11 is how I connected to VRM as I desperately looked for ways to serve my nation and help others. God led me to VRM where I served in many roles as a Volunteer for the next 8 years and today I serve full time as VRM Deputy Executive Director under Gene Grounds and carry other titles and duties as Director of Disaster Response and Director of Training.
So, 9-11 really is cause of reflection and remembrance and it connected many dots that led me to volunteer and serve my nation through VRM in missions and operations that include Columbia Space Shuttle Disaster, Hurricane Katrina, Rita, Ike and many floods, fires and tornadoes.
Our nation is unique, powerful, vulnerable, open, nervous, proud, creative and industrious. It is fraught with dangers, pitfalls and problems it has also proved to be a beacon of real hope to the world and I am proud that in over 200 years it has continued to overcome all obstacles and problems and challenges it has faced- and I give great thanks to God for this nation and for guiding us as one nation under God and respect those who don't see it that way, but I will stand up for God and my nation.
As I reflect, I want to end with this thought and this vision. Let us go back to the firefighters and law enforcement agencies who rushed TOWARD the burning twin towers and INTO the burning Pentagon to rescue people knowing full well the dangers confronting them. Let us go into the United Flight where the passengers stood up and FACED their hijackers. Who rushed FORWARD against the terrorist. Who FOUGHT against armed men and who nearly took full control of the cockpit- but in their struggle they prevented the hijackers from striking the White House, their battle took them down into the empty field now filled with their brave spirits.
They all fired the first shots back against our attackers.
That is the story of the birth of our country. I give thanks on 9-11-09 for the men and women who sacrificed their lives on 9-11-01. And I will give remembrance of nearly 3,000 Americans and citizens of 90 countries who were murdered that day.
I give thanks to all who serve in our military, national guards, fire departments, law enforcement agencies, emergency management people and all who work to secure our safety and look out for our way of life. I give thanks for freedom of worship, for a Republic that is free and people can speak out and vote for changes and defend the values dear to them.
I give thanks for organizations and ministries like VRM and Salvation Army that have armies of volunteers that serve others first.
We will win if we remember the victories that have come from our darkest defeats. I thank you God for this nation and pray for all those serving around the world!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Update on Hurricane Fred and Hurricane Tips
Well...Responders and Prayer Warriors one of the largest hurricanes to ever form in the southeastern part of the north Atlantic has occurred and his name is Fred, and he is packing winds of over 150 miles per hour. BUT! Hurricane Fred is projected to be no threat to land masses and will howl away at sea as his older brother Hurricane Bill did earlier this summer.
I am so thankful that the Caribbean and the USA have been spared a season of hurricanes- so keep those prayers for grace and protection going up- heaven is listening!
Let those Hurricanes roar like lions at sea rather than smashing like lions across our lands. Thank you Lord.
But, let us always continue to be prepared and ready should emergencies such as Hurricanes blow into our lives. So check out the following on how to prepare your home for the arrival of a hurricane. You can click on the following link from the weatherchannel.com or read the content I pasted in! Be ready responders!
http://www.weather.com/activities/homeandgarden/home/hometips/severeweather/hurricane_prepare.html?from=hurricane_tracker
Protect Your Home from Hurricane Damage
Related articles
#
Hurricane Shutters
#
Keep Wind and Water Out
Hurricanes are like no other storms on earth. From Maine to Texas, and in Hawaii, these ferocious weather systems bring torrential rain, flooding, storm surges and devastating winds that damage homes, destroy treasured keepsakes and disrupt family life. You don't have to be blown away when a hurricane hits. It's never too early to prepare and you can take several basic steps right now to protect your family and your home from disaster.
First Things First
Find out if your home meets current building code requirements for high-wind regions (for example, the International Residential Code, which is promulgated by the International Code Council). Experts agree that structures built to meet or exceed current model building codes' high-wind provisions have a much better chance of surviving violent windstorms.
If you're handy with a hammer and saw, you can do much of the work yourself. Work involving your home's structure may require a building contractor, however, or even a registered design professional such as an architect or engineer.
When Working Outside
* Replace gravel/rock landscaping material with shredded bark.
* Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed. Cut weak branches and trees that could fall on your house.
When Building or Remodeling
Windows: If you are replacing your existing windows, install impact-resistant window systems, which have a much better chance of surviving a major windstorm. As an alternative to new window systems, install impact-resistant shutters that close over window openings to prevent flying debris from breaking windowpanes.
Entry Doors: Make certain your doors have at least three hinges and a dead bolt security lock with a bolt at least one inch long. Anchor door frames securely to wall framing.
Patio Doors: Sliding glass doors are more vulnerable to wind damage than most other doors. If you are replacing your patio doors or building a new home, consider installing impact-resistant door systems made of laminated glass, plastic glazing or a combination of plastic and glass. When a hurricane threatens, an easy, temporary and effective step is to cover the entire patio door with shutters made of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB).
Garage Doors: Because of their size, garage doors are highly susceptible to wind damage. A qualified inspector can determine if both the door and the track system can resist high winds and, if necessary, help replace them with a stronger system. Garage doors more than eight feet wide are most vulnerable. Install permanent wood or metal stiffeners. Or contact the door manufacturer's technical staff for recommendations about temporary center supports you can attach and remove easily when severe weather threatens.
Roofs: If you are replacing your roof, take steps to ensure that both the new roof covering and the sheathing it attaches to will resist high winds. Your roofing contractor should:
* Remove old coverings down to the bare wood sheathing.
* Remove enough sheathing to confirm that rafters and trusses are securely connected to the walls.
* Replace damaged sheathing.
* Refasten existing sheathing according to the proper fastening schedule outlined in the current model building code for high-wind regions.
* Install a roof covering that is designed to resist high winds.
* Seal all roof sheathing joints with self-stick rubberized asphalt tape to provide a secondary moisture barrier.
If you want to give your roof sheathing added protection, but it's not time to reroof, glue the sheathing to the rafters and trusses. Use an adhesive that conforms to Performance Specification AFG-01 developed by APA -- The Engineered Wood Association, which you can find at any hardware store or home improvement center.
Gables: Make certain the end wall of a gable roof is braced properly to resist high winds. Check the current model building code for high-wind regions for appropriate guidance, or consult a qualified architect or engineer.
Connections: The points where the roof and the foundation meet the walls of your home are extremely important if your house is to resist high winds and the pressures they place on the entire structure.
* Anchor the roof to the walls with metal clips and straps (most easily added when you replace your roof).
* Make certain the walls are properly anchored to the foundation. A registered design professional can determine if these joints need retrofitting, and a qualified contractor can perform the work the design professional identifies.
* If your house has more than one story, make certain the upper story wall framing is firmly connected to the lower framing. The best time to do this is when you remodel.
When a Hurricane Threatens
You can improve the odds of your home surviving high winds by taking these precautions, but you won't make it hurricane-proof. Nor do these measures guarantee your safety. Take these additional steps to protect yourself and your family as fully as possible:
* Become familiar with your community's disaster preparedness plans and create a family plan. Identify escape routes from your home and neighborhood and designate an emergency meeting place for your family to reunite if you become separated. Also establish a contact point to communicate with concerned relatives.
* Put together an emergency kit that includes a three-day supply of drinking water and food you don't have to refrigerate or cook; first aid supplies; a portable NOAA weather radio; a wrench and other basic tools; a flashlight; work gloves; emergency cooking equipment; portable lanterns; fresh batteries for each piece of equipment; clothing; blankets; baby items; prescription medications; extra car and house keys; extra eyeglasses; credit cards and cash; important documents, including insurance policies.
* Move anything in your yard that can become flying debris inside your house or garage before a storm strikes.
* If a hurricane threatens, follow weather and news reports so you know how much danger you're facing. Obey evacuation orders from local authorities.
Review your homeowners insurance policy periodically with your insurance agent or company representative to make sure you have sufficient coverage to rebuild your life and home after a hurricane. Report any property damage to your insurance agent or company representative immediately after a natural disaster and make temporary repairs to prevent further damage.
For information about filing an insurance claim after a natural disaster, contact your insurance agent or insurance company.
Source: Institute for Business and Home Safety. IBHS is a national nonprofit initiative of the insurance industry to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters.
http://www.weather.com/activities/homeandgarden/home/hometips/severeweather/hurricane_prepare.html?from=hurricane_tracker
I am so thankful that the Caribbean and the USA have been spared a season of hurricanes- so keep those prayers for grace and protection going up- heaven is listening!
Let those Hurricanes roar like lions at sea rather than smashing like lions across our lands. Thank you Lord.
But, let us always continue to be prepared and ready should emergencies such as Hurricanes blow into our lives. So check out the following on how to prepare your home for the arrival of a hurricane. You can click on the following link from the weatherchannel.com or read the content I pasted in! Be ready responders!
http://www.weather.com/activities/homeandgarden/home/hometips/severeweather/hurricane_prepare.html?from=hurricane_tracker
Protect Your Home from Hurricane Damage
Related articles
#
Hurricane Shutters
#
Keep Wind and Water Out
Hurricanes are like no other storms on earth. From Maine to Texas, and in Hawaii, these ferocious weather systems bring torrential rain, flooding, storm surges and devastating winds that damage homes, destroy treasured keepsakes and disrupt family life. You don't have to be blown away when a hurricane hits. It's never too early to prepare and you can take several basic steps right now to protect your family and your home from disaster.
First Things First
Find out if your home meets current building code requirements for high-wind regions (for example, the International Residential Code, which is promulgated by the International Code Council). Experts agree that structures built to meet or exceed current model building codes' high-wind provisions have a much better chance of surviving violent windstorms.
If you're handy with a hammer and saw, you can do much of the work yourself. Work involving your home's structure may require a building contractor, however, or even a registered design professional such as an architect or engineer.
When Working Outside
* Replace gravel/rock landscaping material with shredded bark.
* Keep trees and shrubbery trimmed. Cut weak branches and trees that could fall on your house.
When Building or Remodeling
Windows: If you are replacing your existing windows, install impact-resistant window systems, which have a much better chance of surviving a major windstorm. As an alternative to new window systems, install impact-resistant shutters that close over window openings to prevent flying debris from breaking windowpanes.
Entry Doors: Make certain your doors have at least three hinges and a dead bolt security lock with a bolt at least one inch long. Anchor door frames securely to wall framing.
Patio Doors: Sliding glass doors are more vulnerable to wind damage than most other doors. If you are replacing your patio doors or building a new home, consider installing impact-resistant door systems made of laminated glass, plastic glazing or a combination of plastic and glass. When a hurricane threatens, an easy, temporary and effective step is to cover the entire patio door with shutters made of plywood or oriented strand board (OSB).
Garage Doors: Because of their size, garage doors are highly susceptible to wind damage. A qualified inspector can determine if both the door and the track system can resist high winds and, if necessary, help replace them with a stronger system. Garage doors more than eight feet wide are most vulnerable. Install permanent wood or metal stiffeners. Or contact the door manufacturer's technical staff for recommendations about temporary center supports you can attach and remove easily when severe weather threatens.
Roofs: If you are replacing your roof, take steps to ensure that both the new roof covering and the sheathing it attaches to will resist high winds. Your roofing contractor should:
* Remove old coverings down to the bare wood sheathing.
* Remove enough sheathing to confirm that rafters and trusses are securely connected to the walls.
* Replace damaged sheathing.
* Refasten existing sheathing according to the proper fastening schedule outlined in the current model building code for high-wind regions.
* Install a roof covering that is designed to resist high winds.
* Seal all roof sheathing joints with self-stick rubberized asphalt tape to provide a secondary moisture barrier.
If you want to give your roof sheathing added protection, but it's not time to reroof, glue the sheathing to the rafters and trusses. Use an adhesive that conforms to Performance Specification AFG-01 developed by APA -- The Engineered Wood Association, which you can find at any hardware store or home improvement center.
Gables: Make certain the end wall of a gable roof is braced properly to resist high winds. Check the current model building code for high-wind regions for appropriate guidance, or consult a qualified architect or engineer.
Connections: The points where the roof and the foundation meet the walls of your home are extremely important if your house is to resist high winds and the pressures they place on the entire structure.
* Anchor the roof to the walls with metal clips and straps (most easily added when you replace your roof).
* Make certain the walls are properly anchored to the foundation. A registered design professional can determine if these joints need retrofitting, and a qualified contractor can perform the work the design professional identifies.
* If your house has more than one story, make certain the upper story wall framing is firmly connected to the lower framing. The best time to do this is when you remodel.
When a Hurricane Threatens
You can improve the odds of your home surviving high winds by taking these precautions, but you won't make it hurricane-proof. Nor do these measures guarantee your safety. Take these additional steps to protect yourself and your family as fully as possible:
* Become familiar with your community's disaster preparedness plans and create a family plan. Identify escape routes from your home and neighborhood and designate an emergency meeting place for your family to reunite if you become separated. Also establish a contact point to communicate with concerned relatives.
* Put together an emergency kit that includes a three-day supply of drinking water and food you don't have to refrigerate or cook; first aid supplies; a portable NOAA weather radio; a wrench and other basic tools; a flashlight; work gloves; emergency cooking equipment; portable lanterns; fresh batteries for each piece of equipment; clothing; blankets; baby items; prescription medications; extra car and house keys; extra eyeglasses; credit cards and cash; important documents, including insurance policies.
* Move anything in your yard that can become flying debris inside your house or garage before a storm strikes.
* If a hurricane threatens, follow weather and news reports so you know how much danger you're facing. Obey evacuation orders from local authorities.
Review your homeowners insurance policy periodically with your insurance agent or company representative to make sure you have sufficient coverage to rebuild your life and home after a hurricane. Report any property damage to your insurance agent or company representative immediately after a natural disaster and make temporary repairs to prevent further damage.
For information about filing an insurance claim after a natural disaster, contact your insurance agent or insurance company.
Source: Institute for Business and Home Safety. IBHS is a national nonprofit initiative of the insurance industry to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters.
http://www.weather.com/activities/homeandgarden/home/hometips/severeweather/hurricane_prepare.html?from=hurricane_tracker
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
In Remembrance of People- Beyond Dates and Stats
Remember the Alamo!
Remember Pearl Harbor!
Remember 9/11!
Remember Hurricane Katrina!
These are the types of slogans that mark great and tragic events.
All Killed, No Survivors.
The American Fleet was caught unaware and its Pacific Battle Fleet was sunk and over 3,000 military personnel were killed.
With Horror America watched as the towers came down killing thousands trapped inside.
The Hurricanes brought some of the worse death and destruction caused by the power of nature to the United States.
Those were the types of headlines we read or lead stories we heard over the media.
There are alot of anniversaries that are being experienced in this time period.
The 8th Anniversary of the attacks of 9/11 are coming up remembering the nearly 3,000victims from 90 nations that perished on that day.
The 4th Anniversary of Katrina occured Aug 29, 2009 and Rita will be Sept. 24, 2009
And Hurricane Ike will have its one year anniversary on Sept 13.
A lot of people died from those tragic events and billions of dollars of destruction was left behind in their wake. As I have just demonstrated plenty of statistics and dates were thrown out and the data could fill up hundreds of sheets of paper.
What can not be measured is how much more was really lost in the events. I mean you can rebuild levees, and rec centers, and housing areas and theaters and sporting venues- but you can't replace an infant that did not see its second birthday, a husband that will no longer come home from work, a mother raising children or grandchildren on her own, a tree that was once there, a garden that now longer thrives, love that is shattered and broken apart, a pet that can never be replaced- you get the point...how can you possibly measure the loss of such things in the world or in our hearts and memories- and some do not even have photographs of the memories, because those were lost as well.
Whatever the anniversary that is coming that you face, even if you don't know me, I just want you to know that people like me are thinking about you. Praying for you. Pulling for you.
You have been on a long, hard and lonely journey.
I see many of your faces from the ground zeros I have served in. I can only tell you of the compassion for you that wells up in my heart and soul for all you are doing to recover, slowly, day by day and step by step.
You are beyond and number, a statistic, a program or an anniversary date.
You are my sister or brothers and I remember you and your losses and I pray in hope for you now and pray others that are near you are surrounding you in love, encouragement and hope.
Blessings to all of you, victims of tragic events and survivors of life altering events.
Edward
Remember Pearl Harbor!
Remember 9/11!
Remember Hurricane Katrina!
These are the types of slogans that mark great and tragic events.
All Killed, No Survivors.
The American Fleet was caught unaware and its Pacific Battle Fleet was sunk and over 3,000 military personnel were killed.
With Horror America watched as the towers came down killing thousands trapped inside.
The Hurricanes brought some of the worse death and destruction caused by the power of nature to the United States.
Those were the types of headlines we read or lead stories we heard over the media.
There are alot of anniversaries that are being experienced in this time period.
The 8th Anniversary of the attacks of 9/11 are coming up remembering the nearly 3,000victims from 90 nations that perished on that day.
The 4th Anniversary of Katrina occured Aug 29, 2009 and Rita will be Sept. 24, 2009
And Hurricane Ike will have its one year anniversary on Sept 13.
A lot of people died from those tragic events and billions of dollars of destruction was left behind in their wake. As I have just demonstrated plenty of statistics and dates were thrown out and the data could fill up hundreds of sheets of paper.
What can not be measured is how much more was really lost in the events. I mean you can rebuild levees, and rec centers, and housing areas and theaters and sporting venues- but you can't replace an infant that did not see its second birthday, a husband that will no longer come home from work, a mother raising children or grandchildren on her own, a tree that was once there, a garden that now longer thrives, love that is shattered and broken apart, a pet that can never be replaced- you get the point...how can you possibly measure the loss of such things in the world or in our hearts and memories- and some do not even have photographs of the memories, because those were lost as well.
Whatever the anniversary that is coming that you face, even if you don't know me, I just want you to know that people like me are thinking about you. Praying for you. Pulling for you.
You have been on a long, hard and lonely journey.
I see many of your faces from the ground zeros I have served in. I can only tell you of the compassion for you that wells up in my heart and soul for all you are doing to recover, slowly, day by day and step by step.
You are beyond and number, a statistic, a program or an anniversary date.
You are my sister or brothers and I remember you and your losses and I pray in hope for you now and pray others that are near you are surrounding you in love, encouragement and hope.
Blessings to all of you, victims of tragic events and survivors of life altering events.
Edward
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