Why I'm involved in Ringgold Relief Efforts

"What God originates, He orchestrates." -Andy Stanley

We all can remember the devastating tornados that ripped through the southeastern U.S. last month. In all, 270+ people were killed by storms that badly damaged homes and cities across the region, most notably in Alabama. The storm also made its way through NW Georgia, including the small town of Ringgold. I remember watching the TV that Wednesday night thinking about what I could do to help. I had no idea where to start. I just knew that maybe I could contribute something. On Thursday afternoon, I called my uncle who is a General Manager of a Ford dealership outside Atlanta. He graciously allowed me to borrow a cargo van. Now I had a van and no supplies. I remember laughing with the guys in my small group that night about driving around a white, unmarked van. As of Friday morning I had about 6 cases of bottled water; plenty of room left in the van. I called another family friend who then went to Sam's and bought about $200 worth of supplies. Then a few friends and family bought some more stuff that Saturday. Now I needed somewhere to take it...."What God originates, He orchestrates."

This is where Crosspointe Church comes in the picture. I called the church office that Friday and spoke to the pastor, Ron Tankersley, about what was going on with relief efforts.Ihad no previous connection to the church. God was orchestrating the whole thing. I took the first load up on May 1st, met with the staff of the church, prayed with them, and returned home. It was a powerful moment to share with them.

After some initial supplies, Drew (also on staff at Crosspointe) said they really needed some chainsaws to help people remove trees. I have never operated a chainsaw in my life, but I knew a few people who might be willing to help get some to Ringgold. A friend from 12Stone offered to buy two saws, then another friend bought one, then my uncle's Sunday School class at a church in Cumming bought one, then his Ford dealership bought the last two. Now I had saws to buy but no place to buy them..."What God originates, He orchestrates."

This is where Sosebee Automotive comes in the picture. A friend of mine suggested I get in touch with the owner because he wanted to help with relief efforts. I called him and, as they say, "the rest is history." Sosebee allowed me to purchase 6 saws at cost and then gave me 3 rentals to use for free. I was leaving the parking lot and the owner stopped to have prayer with me about the trip. God orchestrated this part of the story too.

My involvement in Ringgold is really a result of acting on the prompting of God and then having to trust Him to work out the details. I plan to continue to be involved in the efforts to rebuild the area. We are planning workdays next Saturday, June 11th, and again on Monday and Tuesday, June 13th-14th. A group from Georgia Tech Christian Campus Fellowship will be there June 18th.

I don't know why God prompted me to be involved in helping in Ringgold, but I have been tremendously blessed because of it. The mission of God is bigger than us.