Dream or Reality?

In 2005, we were startled into action on August 29th by a hurricane known as Katrina. Within hours of hearing about the devastation with the landfall, the first wave from Church of the Cove was headed south. The next day, a group of about fifteen hit the road followed two days later by another group of fifteen. 

That was my first mission trip as it was for many. We weren't doing Vacation Bible School or preaching on the corners or handing out tracts. We were cutting trees off roofs and dragging brush away from homes, handing out boxes of food and diapers and ice and water. We worked many long and hard hours to show the love of God to people who were suddenly thrown into chaos by a big storm. 

There's so much to that story and maybe I'll write more about it later, but today I'm sharing about a dream that began in Folsom, Louisiana in September of 2005. My husband, Jack, envisioned a trailer set up with a generator, shelves to store chainsaws, weed-eaters, rakes, shovels and other tools. He saw the tools made for keeping the equipment in working order. He saw a big cooler for keeping water and Gatorade cold in. He saw a portable kitchen unit, capable of feeding a hundred or more. 

In Jack's mind's eye, he saw a trailer about 20 feet long, probably of the goose-neck variety. The space over the hitch would probably be where the generator and some other stuff would be stored. He also saw the cost for such a trailer would be more than we could afford, so he kept telling God about the dream and the vision, and asking for the means to put together this rig. 

Besides disaster relief, this trailer would be able to be used in helping people move. Somehow, one of the ministries Church of the Cove has grown is one where we go and load up pick-up trucks and small trailers to assist people moving from one residence to another. A trailer like this would make this much easier. 

Jack admits that over these years of waiting, he pretty much gave up on getting that dream. And then…

A little over a week ago, our Missions Minister, Greg, was in Haiti with a friend, working there with the orphans we support, and "somehow" the subject of a disaster relief trailer came up. The friend told Greg to call him when they got back in the States, that he might have something he could help with. 

This past week the friend sent Greg and one of the other dreamers — a man who went to help with disaster relief in Baton Rouge after they were hit by Hurricane Gustav — to a lot to see this "possibility" for a trailer for us. Greg and this man were amazed at what they saw, knowing that for a trailer of this size and quality, we simply wouldn't have the funds. Still, Greg called his friend and told him we were interested.

That night, the call came in telling the price: Come pick it up. 

That's it. Come get it. Use it like you've been dreaming, giving God glory. 

Now, what we got is a 28 foot trailer with a side door and rear doors. The side with the door also has a huge awning. Two compartments sealed off from the inside of the trailer for various needs and an Onan Commercial-type 5500 (that's 5.5 KW) generator with a fuel tank. 

There's enough room in this trailer to build a small bunk room so that no matter where we go, there will be sleeping space. Enough room to store the tools and equipment needed. Enough room for the kitchen and more. Matter of fact, the mobile home I lived in when my son was born was only two feet longer and eighteen inches wider than this one! Roughly 1900 cubic feet. 

For free. The dream is fulfilled, and then some… shaken down, overflowing. And we are proclaiming how amazing and awesome our God is. 

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen! (Ephesians 3:20-21 NIV)

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