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| Last Updated:
Mar 11, 2010 - 9:20:54 PM |
 | | Pastor Lawrence Beals holds Bangor Daily News Headlining the disaster |
I ended Thursday night, the National Day of Prayer, in Mars Hill at a
prayer meeting, and started Friday morning with preachers! I joined
some pastors for breakfast. We lamented the situation in Fort Kent,
and all pledged to do what we could. One pastor asked if any
non-monetary help was needed. I told him that I didn't know, at that
point.
My son, Jared, is with me on the
trip. He is driving, helping out dear ole dad. I feel safe
having a U.S. Marine Corp Corporal in the drivers seat, even if he is
only 19 years old. Ooooh Ahhh!
 | | Aerial photograph of the worst flooding ever on the Fish River in Fort Kent |
After
breakfast we made a couple media stops and arrived in Fort Kent before
noon. We were slowed in our journey by a full-size pick up truck
towing a giant orange high-capacity pump. He was, no doubt, headed for
a basement in the flooded town.
The flood
had receeded dramatically by the time we arrived on the scene, but the
water was still visible in many places where it didn't belong. Clouds
floated lazily in a deep blue northern Maine sky. The angry flood
waters of the St. John showed no interest in putting a reflected sky
blue smile on its surface. On the contrary the river's water was in a
foul muddy mood as it rushed to the atlantic, to the relief of some
weary victims, I'm sure.
 | | Dick Waugh and Mike Heath at WFST Christian radio station in Caribou |
We met a church
deacon at the local mom and pop, and proceeded on in his van to the
scene of devastation. We drove past men and machines working to put
things in order. Over 100 homes and businesses were affected by the
flood, none more seriously than an apartment building across the street
from a large brick Catholic Church. We stopped and talked with the
owner. He was manning a sump pump and directing a crew working to
salvage what they could. Water was still standing in the basement
level. All the apartments on that level were destroyed, along with all
the property. We couldn't get in to see the damage because of the
flood waters.
 | | House is flooded |
The downtown daycare was
also inaccessible, toys and shelves floating atop other drenched
debris. I stopped with Deacon Dean in front of the daycare and
presented him with a check for the church to distribute to needy flood
victims. I know his church will provide the assistance in the name of
Jesus, mindful of His command to love our neighbors.
Hopefully this
early check will not be the last one we are able to send into the area
to help our fellow Mainers rebuild their lives. We are calling on all
League churches to take a collection for the northern Maine flood
victims. Other relief agencies are quoted in a local newspaper
indicating that money is the best way to help right now.
I
will be staying in touch with the church. The Deacon promised to acquire more detailed information about the rebuilding needs. He may discover
some non-monetary needs that churches in other parts of the state can
meet. Be sure to keep reading the RECORD to find out about these
needs as information becomes available.
It was important to be in Fort
Kent just a day after the flood representing the League. We are well known for being courageous on controversial moral issues. We accept our place in the line of battle. It isn't easy. Some folks recommend that we do this kind of
mercy ministry, instead of our controversial political work. I am
pleased to do both, but loathe to do charity work absent truth
telling.
We all have enemies of one kind or another. It is pleasant
to face only the inanimate damage of a receeding river instead of an animate evil devoted to erasing traditional understandings of
gender, sexuality and life.
I enjoyed the change of scenery. In some ways
it reminded me of my early days of ministry at Bethany Acres, caring
for troubled people by living with them in Christian love.
 | | Mike Heath presents relief check to church deacon in Fort Kent |
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