Not What I expected To See Going To Church Today
 

When we were driving to Church today we were surprised to be confronted by a blocked off street by RCMP cruisers & an apartment block across from the Church gone up in flames.

The Apartment Complex is at 1033 St Georges & we rent the Church Hall at 1044 St Georges right across the street!
I have set in the vestibule praying as I looked across at the building.
We had no one attending from that building but we have talked to some of the residents.
The fire started at 10 PM Friday & the news report below was from last night.

One is dead, & the rest are homeless.

http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/l...shColumbiaHome

Below is a pic I took from our Church foyer.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...6/100_0130.jpg

Ironically, I spoke on suffering.

http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e2...6/100_0132.jpg

Please pray for the survivors.

Re: Not What I expected To See Going To Church Tod
 

Yes we need to pray for these folks,nice looking double breasted suit,cool looking tie Brother you look like a preacher dressed to the nines like that.

Re: Not What I expected To See Going To Church Tod
 

Thank God for Value Village!
Cost me 25 bucks!

Re: Not What I expected To See Going To Church Tod
 

25 bucks ain't a bad deal,my wife works for Catholic Social Services,I get alot of clothes from their thrift store.

Re: Not What I expected To See Going To Church Tod
 

Sounds like an opportunity to be the body of Christ and reach out to the families in whatever manner the church might be able.

Re: Not What I expected To See Going To Church Tod
 

Amen!

Re: Not What I expected To See Going To Church Tod
 

A lot of people came by the front of the Church & these apartments were Strata properties & I met some of the owners of the suites.

Re: Not What I expected To See Going To Church Tod
 

Fantastic.

Yes sir... this is, indeed, a tragedy... but the Lord could really use the situation to allow for ministry into peoples lives.

Re: Not What I expected To See Going To Church Tod
 

I agree.

Re: Not What I expected To See Going To Church Tod
 

How's that new church doing?

Re: Not What I expected To See Going To Church Tod
 

Not bad, we had a new visitor last week & he brought a friend today.
Slow go but not bad for Canada & in particular Greater Vancouver where sensuality & hedonism abounds.

Re: Not What I expected To See Going To Church Tod
 

One never knows what God can do in situations like these.

Re: Not What I expected To See Going To Church Tod
 

Ministering to people's basic needs often leads to the opportunity to minister to their spiritual needs as well.

I'm not sure how large your church is, but perhaps your church could start a clothing drive or something to help the residents of that apartment complex.

Re: Not What I expected To See Going To Church Tod
 

We are a Home Missions Church so that would be tough.
Sally Anne surprisingly enough have a disaster van & are usually on the site while it is still on fire.

Re: Not What I expected To See Going To Church Tod
 

What is Sally Anne? Can you encourage your people to go and get involved with them if they are an organization that is helping the victims of this fire? Word would get back to the people where the volunteers were from :) That would be one way to be a witness to them.

Re: Not What I expected To See Going To Church Tod
 

Salvation Army!

Re: Not What I expected To See Going To Church Tod
 

praying for growth in the church and for those involved in the fire.

Re: Not What I expected To See Going To Church Tod
 

I agree... it would be a great witness. They will never forget!

This fire is an excellent opportunity for the church to step forward and be there for the people. You might be surprised at the small things that will make a difference in their lives… and if you do minister to their physical needs, they will trust you with their spiritual.

I have experienced a fire in our home… it is traumatic to experience. In my case, the fire was contained to the attic area/roof and was put out before it damaged anything major. We were displaced from our home for six months… but we were blessed. The red cross helped us get into a hotel and our insurance adjuster and insurance agent was there to provide for restoration of the home.

At the time of our fire, we didn’t need anything as far as clothes.. I was constantly worried about our pets… we had a cat and a dog. I couldn’t find anyone to take them in for us until we moved back home. They both had to be left outside and I would drive home and feed both animals after work. I drove up one day to find the cat dead from being ran over… I had to bury her. I don’t know why, but the dog was continually getting loose and I would return home to find her on the porch waiting on us. Sometimes the collar had just been removed, someone was purposely letting her off. I would reinforce her chain/collar and hope she didn’t get off again. I think she sensed something was wrong and why we weren’t in the house. I kept asking people if they could just take her until we could care for her again… no one wanted to. One evening, I went home to feed her, and she wasn’t there…Animal control picked her up and the cost was too great for me to get her out by the time I got paid. I was too proud to ask for help… but I checked with the pound everyday… I even went to the mayor and explained the situation.. nada…no help, and AC put her to sleep. It is the only time that I could remember lying to my girls… I just said she had another home, and she would be ok…not to worry about her. To this day, the girls talk about Lucy and hope she has a good home. I learned a lot through our experience. I’ve learned to care and reach out to people in situations.

Why I am sharing this with you is… you never know in what manner that you can help someone who is a victim of a fire. It doesn’t have to be clothes… or money…just being there for comfort… to listen… PEOPLE need people during this time… and it doesn’t matter how small or great the need, we should be there to help as Christians….as we are the only Jesus that some will ever see.