San Diego Wild Fires

It doesn't look like anyone has posted a topic asking for prayer concerning the California wild fires burning right now. I'm sure there are many people affected by them up north and here in the south. Myself and many others I know have had to evacuate from their homes in Escondido, Fallbrook and Valley Center as of yesterday and today.

Your prayers are much appreciated. I'm praying for all of you too. Thanks.

Praying for all. My sister lives in Rancho Santa Margarita

Thank you so much.

I actually was able to go back to our apartment during our lunch break to clean up a bit and grab some more things in case we can't get back for awhile. I'm glad to be one of the ones going through this personally because it's made me more understanding. And there are those going through more than I am. Lots of people had to sleep outside at the Qualcomm Stadium. I pray more for those who don't know the Lord who may not be able to handel these conditions physically. I cried yesterday when they were showing all the elderly people who have been evacuated. It was a mixed emotion of thankfulness for the kindness of those who care for others in need and getting a glimpse of what God may see when He looks down on us when He's moved with compassion; fragile, weak, vulnerable...

I didn't mention, my husband's actually been helping the Red Cross out at Mission Hills High School in San Marcos since yesterday morning with others from our church. I haven't seen him since then. I hope to see him later this afternoon.

Thank you all for your prayers, care and concern. I will keep praying for the others affected by these fires.

Yodi,
Mind if I ask how the nonChristian is handling this affliction? Surely, this trial is giving the godly plenty of opportunities of demonstrating the love of Jesus to the victims...

Blessings,
ginnyrose

I've been in the church office during work hours and in contact with people from our fellowship, so I don't know.

From what I can tell from the news and what my husband has shared from the evacuation center at Mission Hills High School is everyone has been helpful, generous, and understanding. It's like we're all in this together. All the help is really organized and things are civil at the different evacuation centers. People seem to, for the most part, be taking it well, and most of all, the mandatory evacuation. I think most people realize that their lives and family are more important than possessions. But there are those who are staying behind to try to save their home and belongings.

I'm in Oceanside, so I'm just a few miles from Fallbrook (evacuated). There are several families living in my home right now, with more coming tonight.

So far it's been an occasion for ministry. My dad and I taught a bible study last night to some of the people in the house, non-Christians, and today I've been explaining some basic truths to the children, ages 8-9.

It was neat to explain to the kids that our sins made us guilty and that we all deserve to stand in the corner forever... but that our Father sent his son to stand in the corner for us.

theopenlife

Wow! You're close! That's really neat that you're able to house people. It's just been nice to see how helpful, generous and accomadating people have been.

ginnyrose

Just a follow up on how I thought the non Christian community was handling this fire. My husband confirmed that everyone he was helping at the Mission Hills High School evacuation center were taking it very well. He said there were maybe a couple irritated people and one husband and father who seemed really down. He gave that guy a hug and he said the guy held on for a bit. I guess he was really distraught and kind of in disbelief. But for the most part he said there were a lot of people with really good hearts. A lot of donations came in too. So yeah, everyone's handling it very well.

It was neat to explain to the kids that our sins made us guilty and that we all deserve to stand in the corner forever... but that our Father sent his son to stand in the corner for us.

Thats great! You know I was just watching a Ken Hamm video with my four children, and Ken was pointing out how Genesis 1-11 is foundational to all of scripture. Perhaps you can share that with the children

I forgot that I could post some pictures. I've been hanging out at the church mostly in northern Escondido. It's been one of the clearest spots, kind of in the middle of the 3 nearest fires.

[image][img]http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c113/YDiehl/IMG_4305.jpg[/img]

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Good photos, thanks.

[image][img align=left]http://www.michaelspotts.com/bucket/random_photos/smoke.jpg[/img]

Is it clearer this morning? It seems to be. Though it looks like the Fallbrook and Julian/Ramona fires are still burning. I hope the fires are out by the end of the week. I can't imagine how much endurance, patience and strength the evacuees and volunteers need to have to stay away from home for so long... and those who don't have a home to go back to. Still praying...

It's clearer here, but we're on evacuation alert... the Fallbrook fire is ten miles away and uncontained. We're packing some stuff just in case.

Lots of ash outside... the surface of our pool is in a layer of ash. Weird. Smells nice!

"Known unto God are all His works from the beginning."

Wow! Okay. =(

Praying...

FYI, Mission Hills High School in San Marcos is still an open shelter and being run by the Red Cross. In fact, the principal is a Christian. A couple of our pastors and guys from our church have been helping out there since Monday. Animals are allowed. There is plenty of food and things are being run very orderly and well there. The address is 1 E. Mission Hills Ct., San Marcos, CA 92069.

Thanks for the prayers! To my knowledge, the fires turned two days ago and were headed the opposite direction. This was not good news for the people on the other side, but we on my side were grateful. The air is mostly cleared and things seem to be contained.

Praise God!

From a letter I sent out today...
- - -

Kind thanks to everyone for the birthday well-wishes. The day went nicely, if quietly and with an ashen veneer. The happiest gift, I suppose, was that the fires turned - after coming within 10 miles, which sent us packing. Thankfully, God blew out the flames on my regional candle.

During the "emergency period" about eight refugees (and their petting zoo) came to live with us, including my brother and sister. Their homes were much closer to the blaze but, thanks to our Sovereign God, He was pleased to preserve their material fortunes for a time.

May we all take this as a reminder of the transient nature of all that is not spirit, truth, and virtue.

HE-Reigns

I got to go back home on Wednesday night. Gregg decided to go back to the shelter that night and continue to help. He is a true servant. He's been sharing with people that one of the cool things about helping out at the shelter this week was that he didn't think about himself because he was too busy thinking of the needs of others.

That wasn't entirely true of me. I thought about my own need to be housed and fed and emotionally needing my husband. I do have another opporutnity to help though. Of course it's easier to help now that I feel secure. An area in my own faith that I definitely need to grow in. But Gregg and I signed up with Horizon San Diego and Samaritan's Purse to help with clean up for those who lost their homes. When Hurricane Katrina happened I wanted so badly to go help. Several teams from our church went out. But this time I have the opportunity to help out in my own home town and I've been wanting to work with Samaritan's Purse for awhile! I saw this past week and even reading through the gospels how desperately I need God's strength to be a servant. I know this clean up is going to be hard. Probably harder than having to evacuate my own home and find a place to stay. I now have a chance to get prepared in the Spirit to be used by Him.