Teens Make a Difference in
Posted on Monday, September 12, 2011 by
-Dan Hillen September 2011
On June 27th, I received a text message that sent my mind into a tailspin: “A huge tornado just ripped through Tuscaloosa. Lots of damage.” Since I had lived and done ministry there for six years, the city of Tuscaloosa (and its people) are close to my heart. Such news made my heart sink and seeing the devastation on the news in the days following, left me speechless. A couple months later, in June, I had the opportunity to lead a team of high school students to Tuscaloosa to aid in disaster relief.
As we cleared debris and sorted through what was once a home, God opened our eyes to the work He was doing in the area. Just as the tornado had torn down the walls of these buildings, God was tearing down the walls of race, religion, and socio-economic status, and rebuilding a sense of hope and love for one another. People from all across the country were coming to help and to love on the people of Tuscaloosa. What an incredible lesson it was for our team to see that, no matter what pain and destruction comes in life, the love of God brings life, healing, and hope. Students are still telling me of all of the ways this trip has changed their lives. Praise God.