Posted on 10/08/2015 1:14:54 PM PDT by Gamecock
Dr. Derek Thomas is senior minister of First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC. He wrote the following update on the effects of the floods in South Carolina
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Our church family has been at the center of the storm, with approximately a hundred homes having sustained damage of some kind, and half of these sustaining such serious damage that they may end up losing their homes entirely. There are families who have lost everything, leaving their homes in the darkness of a Sunday morning, in boats with only the clothes they were wearing. There are stories of heroism of the noblest kind involving some of our members who ventured out to save lives, risking their own for the sake of others.
Many people are aware that 11 trillion gallons of water fell in the Carolinas over the past week with devastating effect. The flooding has resulted in a tragic loss of life and property. Dr. Derek Thomas is senior minister at the historic First Presbyterian Church in Columbia, SC and is a frequent conference speaker and author for Ligonier. He wrote the following update for the church where he serves and we’ve adapted it here with his permission.
“If it had not been the LORD who was on our side… then the flood would have swept us away, the torrent would have gone cover us; then over us would have gone the raging waters.” (Psa. 124:2, 4-5)
We have been cast upon the Lord’s mercy and our church family will find it difficult to read verses like these (from Psalm 124) without the fearful memory of Sunday, October 4, 2015. In the darkness of a Sunday morning, the “raging waters” threatened to engulf them, and though their lives were spared, their belongings were not.
Our beautiful city has been ravaged, more than a dozen lives have been lost and thousands have been displaced and ruined; and as I write, further threats are in view. Our church family has been at the center of the storm, with approximately a hundred homes having sustained damage of some kind, and half of these sustaining such serious damage that they may end up losing their homes entirely. There are families who have lost everything, leaving their homes in the darkness of a Sunday morning, in boats with only the clothes they were wearing. There are stories of heroism of the noblest kind involving some of our members who ventured out to save lives, risking their own for the sake of others.
Our hearts go out to everyone – our church family and the wider community – who have suffered in the flood waters that engulfed parts of our city. We are eager to help in whatever way we can. On Monday, the church organized a Storm Relief Center which marshaled some 300 men and women to help in the cleanup. As I write, over a hundred homes have been helped in some way. The scenes were heart-breaking and the financial implications overwhelming. I am deeply proud of the work these folk did on behalf of others.
There are immediate and long-term needs. Monetary gifts should be made to “The Deacons Fund.” I have received notification from churches as far away as Jackson, Mississippi, Medford, Oregon and Providence, Rhode Island that they have sent us financial help. It is very touching to see the immediate love of the body of Christ in this way.
God moves in a mysterious way His wonders to perform; He plants His footsteps in the sea And rides upon the storm. (Cowper)
I have been thinking this week, as I walked through ruined homes, that there was a deep-seated reason why I felt led to start a series of sermons on Job in September. For here is a couple, Job and his wife, who knows what it is to lose everything and still be able to say, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of theLORD” (Job 1:21).
I am deeply grateful for the love our church has demonstrated this week. We will have opportunities to do more in the coming months and our deacons will be in the vanguard of these ministries.
Support for the church’s relief fund will directly assist those affected. If you would like to give, click here, select General Fund, and add “The Deacons Fund” in the comments field.
Thank you for posting this! We watch First Presby. every Sunday to hear Derek Thomas and Dale Ralph Davis via sermonaudio.com.
We have wondered how they where doing. Thanks again!
Maybe off topic, but has Obama had anything to say about the terrible flooding in South Carolina? Has he declared areas of the state which flooded to be disaster areas?? Anything??
I got to watch a lot of it up close and personal.
Some areas around Forest Acres are untouched and others it’s hard to take in the devastation.
Here in the North Charleston/Hanahan area the kids were off school from last Friday through yesterday because of all the water. They even ran on a 2 hour delay today (and I just heard a one hour delay tomorrow) because they are worried about the buses being too heavy for some bridges due to erosion from the floods.
AND there was apparently a 1.0 earthquake in Summerville last week.
We just moved here from the Upstate and the whole Low Country is falling apart.
It is a horrible thing indeed. My area was unscathed, but I know people in the Forest Acres area that may have lost everything.
I’ve seen plenty in what little venturing I’ve done today.
Tomorrow after I get the spare wheels from upstate, I will go and get a definite address for a tow and get it booked. Then insurance can move on.
In Lexington County the schools are still out. They're supposed to start back with a two hour delay on Monday.
USC has been closed all week. Right now they say classes will resume on Monday.
I’m skeptical.
Today we ventured out from “this island in forest acres more or less” and it was kind of surreal.
We got some wonderful Wurst Wagen. If you like sausages, you will love this. Great people. I didn’t think I would enjoy hearing a German accent so much after isolation and the water works. It never tasted so good. A cold Coke in a can never tasted better either.
The office crowd has been nothing short of 100% supportive and understanding. Can’t knock them. That is unusual in a lot of corporate America.
See about scouting the Tacoma in the trees tomorrow. Doubt it’s been pulled. It’s kind of hard to get to and not blocking a road. Have to get a location and book a tow for insurance to move on.
I’ll have a spare from the parents tomorrow.
The Jeeps and 750K rehabs will be ramped up. The idea was to have ready spares but I was beaten to the punch this time.
This weekend I hope to end the Weber adapting saga. I need some fresh 93 free. I think I have all of the spacer and adapters on hand and modified.
It will be mobile again but a brake line rusted out. I will have to farm that out along with the steering box rebuild. If I had a lift, I could do it but it’s up in the frame. That concrete is a bit rough on the back.
Will keep you in my prayers tonight.
Any and all appreciated.
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