Flooding at Peace – Holiday, Florida

By Pastor Joel Schwartz – Holiday, Florida – June 28, 2012

Most importantly and thankfully, all our members are safe. There was no “catastrophic” disaster, just lots and lots of water. The weathermen are saying that the rivers have now crested and the waters should be receding now. There have been no further reports of members with flooding. It sounds like the flood waters came within inches of spilling into a number of members homes.

I was able to visit all the homes that I know of in the congregation that were damaged by the initial storm. One member lost a section of her roof and her ceilings are ruined, it should be covered by the insurance. Another member had multiple roof leaks and leaks through the foundation of the house that resulted in lots of water damage to flooring, they too are waiting on their insurance company. One member did get water throughout her whole house ruining things like medical records and and all the flooring. Unfortunately she did not have flood insurance. For the most part their spirits are good and they trust that God has a purpose for all of this.

Our church is drying out okay and my garage door was replaced yesterday. We will be having a church workday this Saturday to clean up around church and to help remove flooring and do general clean up at homes affected.

Ironically, the gospel reading for this Sunday is “Jesus Calms the Storm” and the OT reading is God questioning Job. God teaches us to trust him even when disaster and calamity surround us. He has a purpose in all of this even if we can’t see it yet. How fitting!

In Him,

Pastor Joel Schwartz

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