DR Chaplain Thanks God for Answered Prayers

The Ohio Chainsaw Team ministered or was ministered to in North Carolina. Rather than tell you what I was told, it seemed better to let you read the account of the trip from the lead team Chaplain for this trip.  This team travelled to North Carolina to provide assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Florence.

The Ohio Chainsaw Team had an amazing trip to Jacksonville North Carolina. 

Jesus said in Matthew 7:7: "Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you."

Our team of seven on our journey down stopped in a small town just short of our final destination for supper. When we had finished our meal and was awaiting our bill, our waitress said, "there is no bill, someone already paid your bill." 
Your prayers were heard.

We arrived at our final destination to find the Church we are to sleep in, also suffered considerable storm damage. Disaster Relief workers were sleeping in the dining hall. To make room for us four tables and chairs would be folded up to make room for our air mattresses etc. Our team member, Randy suggested a powwow in the hall. Turns out Randy has friends and relatives in the area. He called a cousin who Pastors Cross Roads Church. The Pastor met us at the Church and we have a much more comfortable situation. Thank you Pastor Luke, you and your Church blessed us. What's the likelihood our Chainsaw team is called out to a town where a team member just happens to know someone with a church we can stay in? 
Your prayers were heard.

As the week moved along we had the opportunity to remove a large tree from a 92 year old lady's carport. She blessed me with her story having accepted Jesus at the age of 8 and attended a Southern Baptist Church all of her life. She encouraged me. 

I had the opportunity to listen to many stories, but four homeowners I listened to their stories while they talked through their frustrations and pain. Some things preceded the storm, but things they hadn't been able to tell others about before. It was such an honor to be a sounding board and observe as their demeanor changed. So blessed to have the training to counsel with folks that just needed to talk about their situation. 
Your prayers were heard.

As our week went on, we helped a retired Army guy, who it was such a pleasure to talk with. He was broken, because he realized he needed to get his 8 year old daughter and wife into Church. He decided to rededicate his life. That same day we met a recently retired Marine who has served all over the world. After viewing the Evange-Cube and hearing the gospel, he prayed asking for forgiveness of his sins and to receive Jesus as his personal Savior. We removed a large tree from his backyard and although we don't normally do tear out, because our tools are limited, we took up his buckled flooring, which he was planning to do himself.
Your prayers were heard.

Now for the rest of the story. After lunch on Friday, our work order read; twenty two trees in the back yard. When we arrived at the house we found vehicles and people all over the place eating pizza and hamburgers etc. Once we located the homeowner he told us, "I was expecting you guys and this group showed up early this morning, it's all finished". 

Turns out 40 Marine trainees had removed the trees. We set our coolers out with iced down drinks and told them to have at it.
Your prayers were heard.

Final thoughts, our Chainsaw Team told one Marine about Jesus, and the Holy Spirit rescued him from the jaws of hell and God blessed us by sending 40 Marines to bail us out of a job that could've been virtually impossible for our team of seven. You got to love God's math. 
Your prayers were heard.

As my teammate and friend Jack said, "We came to bless and we were blessed." That, my friends, is this chaplain’s perspective

Your prayers are so much a part of our team, I can't imagine doing it without you. Thank you for praying.

Larry Randolph
Chaplain Disaster Relief Ohio