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-by Nalini Rhea
At the best of times, the world of crisis care management is fraught with placing oneself in the minds and hearts of the people with whom we engage. Their experiences, and all the emotions which tag along, are faced squarely by the person offering crisis care. When placed in the context of disaster response, the experiences and depth of emotions we encounter are vividly intensified.
This is not just about losing property and personal belongings; it is now all about losing memories, chapters of their lives, and perhaps even the loss of a loved one or beloved pet. The shock of the event and the trauma in the days and weeks to follow are unimaginable and take on varying forms of expression since no one suffers devastation in the same way. Adults and children alike share the same experience but react in different ways.
Our role goes well beyond listening to them; it becomes one of gently helping them navigate hidden feelings, giving them permission to express themselves at a time when holding their emotions in tightly and painfully is the only way they can cope. As the flood waters ebb, they are approached by individuals and groups, asking questions that don’t allow them the opportunity to think but merely react as official forms are given to them to fill out. Local contractors and businesses offer up quotes of high cost to help cart away their losses. They are told where to go, what to do, and sometimes even what to feel: “be grateful you didn’t lose your entire home”, “at least no one died”, or “some folks have it a lot worse than you”. Sadly, some of those comments sometimes come from well-meaning church folk, including how they should learn to trust God through all their trials and tribulations.
Yes, Christ teaches that we are to rely on him in times of trouble and adversity. 2 Corinthians 12:9 states “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weaknesses…’”. And Philippians 4:13 says “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” And Isaiah 41:10 says “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand.”
But Christ also teaches us that love is patient and kind (1 Corinthians 13:4), and that we are to offer ourselves to others humbly, gently, and patiently (Ephesians 4:2). There is room for learning to trust in God, but love, patience, and kindness comes first. Those facing hard times in a disaster will learn the tough lesson that life has changed for them incontrovertibly, but not irrevocably.
There is hope. This hope comes in the form of volunteer groups helping them traverse through the mud and broken pieces of their physical losses, sharing the love of Christ through our actions, and sometimes allowing our own emotions to emerge as we witness theirs. When they see compassion in our eyes and the gentleness in our touch, the kindness as we lean in to listen to their stories, and the patience with which we treat them even though we are there to “do a job”, they begin to see a glimmer of hope. That hope will grow as the days pass by. The opportunity to share Christ will come, but initially our actions will speak louder than words when we embody the fruits of the Holy Spirit.
Many times, the families we serve are Christians and we see the hope and the joy as they share their trust in Jesus, even while being devastated by the here and now. I have been blessed multiple times by homeowners who hold well-worn bibles in their hands, and who pray for us, pray for our health and strength, and breathe God’s blessings upon us. I have personally shed more tears of thankfulness when witnessing their firm faith in God than any other time.
Christian nor not, faith-filled or not, I am always uplifted by every family I have encountered, every individual whose portals I have entered. Their thankfulness and gratefulness for all that our volunteers have done for them is evident in the smiles and hugs that we receive as we depart. I may not remember the state in which they live, or the address of their street, or sometimes even their names. But I will always remember their faces and their stories. I carry those with me, not as a burden but instead as a blessing and a gift that God has given me.
Yes, the work can be tiring at times, and the emotional toll can leave us temporarily exhausted. But that is just a reminder that we, as crisis care givers, must also draw our strength from the One who shared our pains and sorrows, moments of grief and times of joy and happiness, while he was on earth. And then we wait; wait again for the call to go and serve in times of adversity. And in that waiting, we rest in the depth of Christ’s love; his grace is all-sufficient. We reflect upon the experiences we have just come from and know in our hearts the peace that passes all understanding (Phillipians 4:7).
And then we go. Isaiah 6:8 states “Then I hard the voice of the Lord saying, ‘Whom shall I send? And who will go for Us?’ And I replied, “Here am I! Send me!”