Even the Wind and the Waves Obey Him

Last week, Hurricane Alex hit Monterrey. As it traveled over land, the storm spread out and became less intense. Therefore, by the time it hit the city, it didn’t really seem like much of a hurricane. There was no wind, and the rain was not nearly as forceful as I had expected. However, there were two problems. Problem #1: While the mountains surrounding Monterrey had blocked the wind, they also acted as a giant funnel, channeling mud and water into the city. Problem #2: The fact that the storm spread out made it weaker when it hit us, but it also resulted in rain that was more or less constant for days. For an area that is usually fairly arid, this meant trouble. In two days, the city received over twice the amount of rainfall that usually occurs in a year. This resulted in terrible flooding. Dry stream beds became roaring rivers, cars were swept away in the current and left in mangled piles of metal, and landslides filled houses that are usually safe on the high ground with feet of mud. Crumbling bridges and highways submerged in the floodwaters resulted in a huge transportation problem. Over 40,000 people were left without power, and major gas and water lines burst all over the city. I was told that this was the worst flooding Monterrey had seen in over twenty years.

I was definitely blessed to experience the Lord’s provision and protection, as we were in one of the least affected areas of the city. We lost power for an hour, our internet and phone service has been off and on, and we had no running water for around twelve hours. However, there was no flooding in the neighborhood, and after the heaviest part of the storm passed, we were able to leave the house and see some of the damage in the city. Many people were not that fortunate, though. Some lost everything but the clothes on their back as rivers of mud surged through their houses, destroying all that was in their path.

While the effects of the storm were devastating, God had a plan in it all. This has been an awesome opportunity for the body of Christ to rise up and be His hands and feet to the people of Monterrey, proclaiming the glorious name of the Savior as they show His love. My host family’s church has partnered with another church that is in the middle of Santa Rosa, a heavily affected area. Everyone in the community has lost almost all that they own. All of the houses were filled with mud and debris as a river rushed through the neighborhood, but miraculously, the church didn’t have even a speck of mud on the patio. God is so amazing! Because of this, it became the shelter for the families in the community that were left without power, without water, and without a place to stay. It is also now the hub for the relief work in that neighborhood. Members of that church and others have been bringing food, toiletries, and clothes to the church to be distributed to those in need, and they have helped families to remove the mud from their houses and salvage the few possessions they can. I had the opportunity to be a part of that work yesterday as we organized all of the donated items for distribution in the community. The church is truly being a beacon of light in the midst of this dark time.

It has been incredible to see God’s plan and provision in my own circumstances, and also in the way He orchestrated everything in Santa Rosa to put His people in the position to proclaim the Gospel to their community. I am reminded of His awesome power as Lord of all creation, commanding obedience from the raging storm, but also of the way He intimately cares for each and every one of His children, even numbering the hairs on our heads. I serve an absolutely matchless and indescribable God. There is none like Him!
Emily