Week in the Life of a Calvary Relief Teammate Serving with Samaritan’s Purse
in Clarksville, TN
Monday: (Jan. 22, 2024)
It was a cold 20-degree day and we worked inside a home that didn’t have heat or electricity clearing out the flooring that had water damage after the tornado hit.
The homeowner shared how he was in the house with his wife and children when the tornado hit. He had just enough time to grab them and his dog and take shelter in the stairwell and began praying. Although the storm passed right alongside his house, they had minimal damage. After the storm passed, they ran outside to help their neighbors - unfortunately, his wife had to pull neighbor who was deceased out of her home.
This storm was a wake-up call to this little community. He explained how after that day his next-door neighbors re-dedicated their lives to Christ and the unbelievers across the street were now ready to make a profession of faith in Christ. This homeowner blessed us so much with his faith in God and his thankfulness for God’s protection and hand upon he and his family that day! He even prayed a powerful prayer for us all that day!
​
Tuesday: (Jan. 23rd, 2024)
It was forecasted to be in the 40’s and pouring rain. We arrived at a home to work outside clearing a huge tree that was twisted like a pretzel. We prayed specifically that God would keep everyone safe, hold off the rain so that we could accomplish the work and that at some point, He would give us a divine opportunity to share the Gospel with someone. He answered “Yes” to all those prayers. We completed our work safely and took down that mighty tree.
We headed to our second location and after we arrived, our team leader informed us that we couldn’t do the work requested on the house because the damage was out of our range. Much to our surprise, the homeowner ran out of her house asking if we could sign her Bible. She had been given a Billy Graham Bible even though we couldn’t do the work.
A team member gave her a “Steps to Peace with God” booklet and two of our team members shared the Gospel with her. She opened up about some trials and struggles she is currently facing and asked if we would pray for her and her young daughter who is experiencing mental health struggles. We prayed and gave her encouragement. She embraced us with tears and hugs as we said goodbye. She was so thankful! We were so blessed!
​
Wednesday: (Jan. 24th, 2024)
Another rainy day, and this time it poured before we could get to our job site but again, God was faithful to hold off the rain so we could complete our work safely. The ground was very slippery and muddy and the mud there feels like quick sand if you step in it.
We arrived at a home that was completely collapsed down to the foundation. The only thing that remained intact were the three steps at the front entrance to the house. We met the homeowner, an older gentleman who told us the story of how he was in the home with his son and two grandsons when the tornado hit and the entire house collapsed on top of all of them.
​
When the tornado had passed, his two young grandsons were miraculously on top of all the debris unharmed and he and his son were able to crawl out from under the debris all around them. What a Miracle!
(The pictures below show his home that had collapsed on them.)
Thursday: (Jan. 25th, 2024)
We worked on this specific home all day Wednesday and Thursday. Our team worked on recovering some important items for the family that were still salvageable as well as helping to assist the demolition. We were able to bring encouragement to the homeowner and his son and accomplish the work clearing out all the debris, bringing it down to a clear area to rebuild a foundation, saving him thousands of dollars that he can put towards rebuilding his home.
​
When we presented the Bible to him, we thanked God for His favor and hand being upon this family and that He performed a miracle and He sent us to be a blessing to them. He had a tear rolling down his cheek in the end and thanked us so much for all that we had done.
​
Friday: (Jan. 26th, 2024)
We had a milder, clear day on our last day in Clarksville. We were finally entering into a job site area where we could see the path of the tornado was more pronounced. It is always bittersweet on the last day.
​
We arrived at our job site and met with the homeowner’s daughter and her husband. There was a pull towards the daughter that I can’t describe, you could sense that we were there for her. I think we all sensed it. She opened up and shared her stories of all the “storms” of her life that she had been facing before the actual tornado ever hit.
Thankfully she and her family were spared their lives and only had minimal damage to their home. Still, this storm was a wake-up call - she had already been thinking heavily about getting right with God, the thoughts and desires for that had been weighing on her for weeks. After the storm, she saw a TV program come on that she had never seen before. It was a Billy Graham crusade message.
​
So when we arrived in Jesus’ name, and she realized all the connections to Billy Graham, she knew it was no coincidence. We talked with her and asked her if she wanted to re-dedicate her life to the Lord. She said “yes” immediately! We explained her need for repentance, seeking after God, reading the Bible and walking with Him. We prayed for her and she prayed along as well. We pray that God would truly do a work in her & her husband’s heart and life and that they would bring Him Glory! Thank God for all He has done and is continuing to do!
Looking back…
Looking back, we spent a blessed week all together as the body of Christ…. Serving each other, and the residents of Clarksville, TN. Praying for each other and for the lost, working side by side, being the hands and feet of Jesus and sharing the Gospel. What a blessing it is that God would allow us to answer someone’s prayer for help.
​
We deepened our fellowship and connections and saw how God still operates in miracles and in the gifts of the Spirit. He showed Himself powerful in the most unlikely of places.
Written By: Carla Occean