Down, but not out
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Down, but not out
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Riverside/Benoni Church Bulletin - 01-27-08DOWN BUT NOT OUT!
It was a cold, wintry night. The radiant moon and
twinkling stars were hidden behind heavy cloud cover. The van's wipers
beat a monotonous rhythm on the windshield in the soft drizzle as
we wound along Shepherd Rees Road. It was shortly after midnight. The
spine-chilling, terse phone call had been taken while I still sat
working at my desk. "Our workshop is on fire. . .we have lost
everything! Can you come?" cried the voice of desperation and
despair. "As soon as we can get there," I replied with my heart
racing. I was still dressed from the day. Donna jumped into her clothes
and soon we were on our way ;to the fire. What we had just heard sent
chills up and down our spines.
Though we were now out in the country, the night sky
displayed an ominous orange glow akin to approaching a city after dark.
It could only be the intensity of a massive, merciless conflagration. We
whispered a prayer that our dear ones--the Joneses--would be safe. Some
distance away, through a clearing we spied yellow and orange flames
leaping to the sky. Behind the dwelling house was a blazing inferno.
Five fire trucks from Ingram, Mountain Home, Hunt, Kerrville, and Turtle
Creek had gotten there just minutes before we did. Busy, brave,
single-minded firemen were setting up the rescue operation. The sheriff
was there. Fire investigators were there. All observed the fire and
were seeking answers to this horrific event.
A fortuitous southeast wind blew away the flames
that were encroaching dangerously close to the home of Charlie and
Ethel. The sight of the fire was like a trip into hell. The heat was
overwhelming. Metal ran like water. Glass formed droplets. Steel
supporting beams twisted like cork screws. Four motor homes, two
cars, a number of motorcycles, a boat, and an airplane were transformed
into ghostlike skeletal frames and ashes. Custom designed machinery
melted like wax over a candle. Expensive stocks of timber evaporated in
seconds. Occasionally, the snap, crackle and pop of the fire was
interrupted by explosions as ammunition was detonated and vehicle tires
blew out. A flying bullet grazed Gary's face, leaving blood and bruises
in its wake. Mercifully, it missed his right eye by a whisker.
High-pressure water hoses seemed ineffectual as the flames devoured
everything. In the flood lights of the emergency vehicles, we helplessly
watched the unfolding catastrophe. Thankfully at 3 AM, the blaze was
surrendering to the determined firemen and we left for home. But the
devastation left behind us was incalculable. It had been like a scene
from a horror movie but, for the time being, the nightmare was over.
We praise God there was no loss of life. We rejoiced
to witness Ethel and Charlie counting their blessings rather than giving
in to the stress that would have laid low so many of us in like
circumstances. We grieved with Gary and Laura at seeing their livelihood
go up in smoke. But we are proud of the way all four of them
responded to this tragic moment in their lives. Through their tears of
loss, hope in Christ has sustained them. Help has materialized from
virtually everywhere--even from unexpected sources. God is
good! Riverside brethren have shared cooked meals, offers of
assistance, prayers and their hearts with the Joneses. They still have a
long way to go before they are out of the woods.
For our beloved Joneses the future is uncertain. But
they have proved many times in the past that they are tough, creative,
and resilient people and once again they are showing these same
admirable qualities. They will not be defeated by this. Like the South,
they will rise again! God will give them strength and courage to go on
in the face of such overwhelming adversity. They epitomize what Paul
says, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed;
perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned;
struck down, but not destroyed," 2 Corinthians 4:8-9.
:Let's pray for them. Let's be there for them. When tragedy goes,
love walks in.
Love you all,
Al --"The Horne of Africa"
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