Fort Myers, Florida
October 18th - 23rd, 2022
Our Calvary Relief team of 5 served in Ft. Myers, FL from October 18th -23rd, 2023. It was an eventful and heart-warming trip filled with adventure and many special God moments.
Our trip literally started off with a BANG! Just as we landed in Ft. Myers, two tires on our airplane blew, emergency crews surrounded the plane making sure it was not on fire and then finally got us off the plane. We were glad we had made it there and looked forward to all God had in store for us. As we entered the airport, everyone was stranded, which gave us the opportunity to meet and pray for some of the people that were on the plane and others waiting.
The week that followed was non-stop. The days were filled with meeting people whose homes were destroyed, praying with them, doing mud-outs, removing debris, and tree work, and most importantly sharing the hope and love of Jesus.
We were also able to share the love of Jesus with this homeless man who was deaf and mute. God put it on one of our teammates' hearts to help him and try to talk with him, but how do you do that when someone can't hear or talk? God showed her a way - she quickly found out that he was able to communicate via text and 'talked' with him that way. In tears, the man told her how lost he felt - she was able to assure him of Jesus' love for him and presented him with 'Steps to Peace with God' booklet and a new Bible.
And another man burst into tears as we presented him with the Bible with all our signatures and words of encouragement.
We met this man delivering food in the rough neighborhood we were working in. He had a heart to help the people but really didn't understand what it meant to have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. When we asked him about his 'spiritual condition', he admitted there was a big void there - God totally opened the door to share the gospel with him and he sincerely asked Jesus into his life, knowing it was a whole new beginning for him. (2 Corinthians 5:17)
We also had the opportunity to visit a Memorial site that was set up honoring the lives that were lost in the storm (over 100 of them). In seeing their pictures, it brought to life what had really happened, the grief families were going through and the reality that any of us can be gone tomorrow. It is so important to do what we can now to love one another and share about our eternal hope in Jesus.
No matter how many times we go on these deployments to help others, each time is different, each time God uses us in different ways and God reveals His love in different ways. Each time he increases our faith, shows us what Christianity is all about in loving each other and serving others. He blesses us in ways that can't even be explained. In ministering to the lost and hurting, He touches our hearts deeply.
Thanking and praising God for our many blessings & opportunities to serve in His name.