Fire!

Yesterday my parents were at a doctor’s appointment with my grandmother in Philadelphia, an hour away. My dad answered his cell phone and got the news that their house/church was on fire. (The house/church are basically one building) Somehow the fire seems to have started in a basement room with the electrical boxes. Thank the Lord, someone driving by happened to see smoke and called 9-1-1. The first crew arrived in 4 minutes. Over 50 firefighters responded and 45 minutes later the fire was out. Even though the fire didn’t burn up alot of things, there is smoke damage throughout the whole house and many things are ruined. An inspector today informed them that the whole house would need to be gutted and redone. Not just the house, but the church basement and parts of the church as well. He said they will have a brand new house when they are done. Sounds good, right? But what about all of the items that have to be thrown out? And we are far away in Honduras and unable to assist my parents.
But, we are rejoicing in the safety of our family members. My elderly grandmother lives in the basement of the house and is normally at home. Thank the Lord that yesterday she was gone. Her only escape route would have been straight through the fire. So, God is good and we are so thankful for sparing their lives.
My parents need a lot of prayer as they sort through everything. They do not have a place to live and it will be months before their home is livable again. They are also trying to decide what to do with my grandmother because she is sickly and needs a lot of care and at this time they have no place to go with her. (She is staying with a church lady right now.) So, please pray that God will guide them through this difficult time.
Through all of this we know that God is working out His purpose and His perfect plan. Hey, maybe He thought they deserved a new house!!???

(My brother, Tim, watching what was happening)