One of the most frequently asked questions I’ve received in recent weeks is, “Are y’all almost finished with Hurricane Laura relief?” That’s a relatively easy question. “NO! Not even close!”

Sometimes, the question will vary slightly – “How long will y’all be helping?” That answer is also easy, “As long as it takes.”

The reality is what took Hurricane Laura only hours to destroy will take months, or longer, to rebuild.

With that in mind, here is a true story I read earlier this year that has stayed with me.

Last basketball season, Hamilton Christian of Lake Charles defeated White Castle High School in the finals of White Castle’s tournament. White Castle is south of Baton Rouge and more than two hours from Lake Charles. When Hamilton Christian loaded their bus after 9 p.m. on Saturday for a victorious ride home, their bus would not start. Hamilton’s coach, Dexter Washington, returned to the White Castle gym and asked their coach, Troy Green, “Do you know anyone with a bus who can bring us back to Lake Charles?” Without hesitation, Coach Green said, “I can.” And, he did.

As wonderful as that story is, it’s Coach Green’s explanation that has stayed with me. When asked about his unexpected, late-night bus trip he replied, “The tournament is not over until the last team gets home.”

So it is with the sizable task before us – our job is not done until everyone gets home. We’re in this for the duration.

Thank you to the many who have already volunteered. If you can send a team, touch base with your Disaster Relief contacts and let them know of your availability. If you can’t go, pray for God’s hand of restoration and provision and give to support the ongoing relief efforts.

As we continue the grind of clean up and rebuilding, this is my prayer for us, “… may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we do for you.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12