From Ben – 12 March 2017
Rain, rain, rain and more rain! The upper part of the North Island, including the Coromandel Peninsula, has had more than its quota of rain for the month in the last 3 days. The weather people have estimated that the rain these last few days has been bigger than a 100-year flood event.
Sue and I were on a short break this week in the Coromandel at Pauanui, which just happened to be one of the worst hit areas. We were cut off for a day and night with trees down across the roads and landslips but got out as soon as we were able.
Despite the drama, chaos and inconvenience, it has been heartwarming to see the caring, helpful and giving ways of so many people around the North Island at this time. People have put on their gumboots, rolled up their sleeves and mucked in where needed. Others have opened their homes to those in need. I even heard of farmers coming to the aid of washed away animals, actually going into flood waters and literally rescuing stranded animals by hand.
All this good will reminds me of how the church of Jesus Christ is to be; a one another community, helping serving, giving, and doing all they can to help, and so being the light and salt to the world. Let’s look for opportunities to be Christ to our community.