Griffin, GA
March 5th - 11th, 2023
Our Calvary Relief team served in Griffin, GA for 6 days with Samaritan's Purse and the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team. Once again, God moved powerfully in so many lives as well as our own. It was such a blessing and a privilege to be able to serve in this way. Being with fellow brothers and sisters in Christ (from all over the country) praying together, encouraging one another, and sharing the love of Christ with others is what it's all about. It's like being in another world. In fact, we make such close friends during the week it's hard to come home.
One of our teammates shared that this week made her realize how much we need each other, not just when on deployment, but also in our everyday life, to be aware of the person sitting right next to us, be ready to reach out, share God's love and share about Jesus (just like we do on deployment).
It's amazing to see the transformation in a person's life once they accept Jesus. We went to this place to clear some fallen trees. The homeowner greeted us - he was anxious, depressed and in a hurry to get to work. But he took time to talk with us and God had other plans for him that day. He had been brought up in church but had slipped away. After sharing with him about what it meant to truly have a relationship with Jesus, he decided to ask Him into his heart. He called into work and told them he'd be late, he then showed us around his property and spent time happily being with us - his whole demeanor had changed! Even though his situation hadn't changed, he was changed, and the JOY of the Lord was apparent in him.
He told us he had bought this property because of the two dogwood trees on it - it was in bloom - he told us the blossoms represented the cross and Jesus' crucifixion. What a blessing to see how God's creation reflects Him in so many ways.
Describe your image
Describe your image
Describe your image
The other thing that amazes us is the faith of those Christians who have lost everything and are still praising & thanking God. This whole neighborhood was wiped out - houses & trees gone! When we asked this lady who had lived there if she knew where she would be if she had died in the storm - she said "Oh, Yes! I'd be up there in Heaven dancing with my loved ones". and she started dancing. These people hold onto their faith in the midst of life's tragedies and God encourages us through them!
There are sooo many special 'God-moments' that happen on each of these trips, we can't even begin to explain them all - you just have to experience it for yourself! Won't you join us on one of these trips - sharing the hope and love of Jesus & being His hands and feet in ministering to the lost and hurting.