hope and love
This message is for those who’ve lost their homes in the Lahaina fires and for all those who are working tirelessly to help them. In 2020, when the coronavirus ripped through nations, communities, and families, it tore us apart. Society panicked and separated, quarantining at home alone. We forgot that people belong together, and that we’re meant to cooperate and help each other. In a weird way, I feel that this terrible fire, even though it came with such a tragic loss of life, is a way for communities to mend. It’s an opportunity for humanity to be reminded that we need each other. We can have trust in total strangers, and we don’t need to erect walls between us or hide in our homes. The outpouring of support that has occurred as a result of these fires has shown that we don’t need to hoard supplies for ourselves. Abundance will be shared. And though it may be small comfort for those grieving the loss of loved ones, and I cannot offer enough sorrow and condolence, but they are with God now, and He is good, and He cares for them in Heaven. This is the beginning of great healing.
For those who’ve lost their homes, my heart goes out to you. Though things may seem hopeless, they are not. A change in perspective will transform the loss of everything into the beginning of great abundance. Our society has been trained to value self-sufficiency and independence. And sure, those things are valuable, but friendship and community are more important. Humanity’s greatest strength comes from God’s love as it fuels our ability to work together and help each other. Though it may seem like you have nothing to give, that’s not true. You still have love! I know it’s a big hit to a man’s pride to be in need and receive aid from others. I struggle with pride all the time. But receiving help gracefully allows others to be generous and the good feelings they receive from helping are often times worth far more than the small material gifts being given. Receiving help represents giving a bigger gift. Open your arms wide to receive God’s gifts and share your love!
Great Forest Ministry is launching a program to adopt a Maui family and help them rebuild after fire. We know the people personally who’ve lost their homes, and we’ll connect generous donors with local families to encourage personal connections and build long term loving relationships. We’re hugely appreciative of all the emergency supplies that have been given to keep everyone alive, and as the relief effort shifts into the next phase, our focus is on helping people rebuild. If you’re interested in getting involved, just shoot us an email on the Contact page of this website. Put “Sponsor a Maui Family” in the subject line. Financial donations can be routed through Great Forest Ministry to receive the tax benefit of a documented charitable contribution, and that’s really needed, but we’re more interested in fostering personal relationships. If you want to help, we’ll connect you with someone who lost their home with the goal of providing something better than just an infusion of cash to replace the basic material items that were lost. People need long term love and support, and a listening ear to help with the rebuilding process. The ideal outcome would be that you as a sponsor make a connection with a mother and father now, and years later, when their young children are then heading off to college, you’re still in contact and sharing stories about that crazy fire back in 2023.
Each morning, I like to read the Bible, and today it opened to the book of 1 Corinthians, chapter 13. I’d like to share verses 2 through 8:
“If I have the gift of prophecy and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith so that I can move mountains but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give away all my possessions, and if I give over my body in order to boast but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. Love does not envy, is not boastful, is not arrogant, is not rude, is not self-seeking, is not irritable, and does not keep a record of wrongs. Love finds no joy in unrighteousness but rejoices in the truth. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.”
Thank you to all those who’ve reached out to offer prayers and support. Thank you to all those who’ve donated and sent aid packages. Thank you to all those preparing themselves to keep giving over the long term as we’ll need the help for years to rebuild. Thank you to all those on Maui working to help their fellow community members. And the biggest thank you goes to those who’ve lost their homes and given the opportunity for others to be generous and remind us all that we belong together.
God Bless You All!
Ryan Grether