(Pacific Palisades, CA) In the wake of the devastating wildfires in Pacific Palisades and Altadena, Convoy of Hope is on the ground with the hope of Jesus.
"It's one thing to see it on your phone and the television screen, it's a completely different thing to be there and to see how vast this devastation is and to stand on somebody's property in the ashes that used to be somebody's life. It was a family's home at one point. For it to be gone in just a matter of minutes...it's heartbreaking," explains Convoy of Hope National Spokesperson, Ethan Forhetz.
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Convoy of Hope is all about the basics...and more.
"We are providing essential relief supplies right now which in many cases they can't get right now because the power's off for many locations. So we're providing bottled water, groceries that are ready to eat, hygiene items because if you've seen the video of people getting out of their cars on a street and running from the fire. And then later, you see pictures of their charred cars and a bulldozer driving through to clear the roads for emergency vehicles. We're also providing air purifiers for those people that are still in their homes because the air is so dangerous to breathe."
There's a profound sense of hopelessness in so many people.
"What we're trying to do and what we're praying to do is growing some hope inside of people. They really need to know that the rest of the country sees what they're going through, is praying for them and want to do what we can as Americans to support our neighbors in L.A.," Ethan shared.
Many times, Convoy of Hope team members are like counselors.
"We see people on their worst day. We just need the right words to say that would encourage people in the Lord and if they don't know the Lord that we're planting seed that would eventually use this tragedy to lead people to the Lord."
What happens after Convoy of Hope leaves?
"We don't leave for a long time. We're still working in North Carolina following Hurricane Helene. We worked for more than a year following the Maui wildfires. Convoy of Hope is usually on the ground long after the television cameras leave. Peoples' problems persist for a long time. We're committed to being with people for the long term."
Where is God in all of this?
"We know that our God can work something that was meant for evil for good. God is able in an amazing, miraculous way...we've all seen something in our personal lives where God has taken something and turned it in a way that blows our minds. The Lord is going to use this--He didn't cause this--but ultimately, He's going utilize this for their good and ultimately, their good is to come to know the one true God."
