Post: Thursday, Nov 1

Hello Everyone!

   On Oct. 30 the Liaison between the Marines and the CA. Dept. of Forestry, (CDF) told us to stow what items we could as he anticipated the event to wind down.  Later on that day we were dismissed from active duty after we prepared lunch on the 31st.

   As soon as our team informed the responders of this situation you could sense a real disappointment in their demeanor…so Ginger decided to put something really special together. How about this for field grub; BBQ tri-tip, potatoes salad, garlic bread and apple crisp ala’ mode!  Some of the Marine responders had been to Iraq two times and are staged to go back soon.  They had not had apple crisp in a couple of years or more.  What a joy and privilege it is to brighten their day in this way.  “We are going to miss you sooo much” was the comment of the day.

   The following are some anecdotal thoughts concerning this response: 

   1) We found that we were positioned in a forward camp between the main base camp and the fire line. The big contracted providers handle much greater numbers of people in the base camps but it is simply a chow line.  Yes, we were able to provide food but there was another element we brought…heart.  We found that the responders would hang out with us after their meals.  They would sit and talk at the tables and interact with us as if it were the kitchen table at there house.  I would often greet them as they returned from the line with a hearty “Welcome home boys!” and that is the way they treated it. You would be hard pressed to find this atmosphere at a base camp where the line is a quarter mile long at meal times.

   2)  Other volunteer organizations attached to us as a door way to bring there offerings to the fire line.  One group had a truckload of food and could not get in.  When we were placed they were able to get their donation as well as manpower to the line where they could finally participate and share their heart of compassion through our doorway.  We also were used by the community who would stop by with cookies, brownies, a pot of baked beans, sun glasses, chap stick, and various other offerings of the heart.  It was our table that was the bridge to the responders and we praise God for that.

   3)  A seed that had been planted four years ago in the community received some water.  It is the heart of the Church in Valley Center to be there for the community in times of crises.  They do an excellent job of and have great insight and vision. We pray that the involvement of Real Life Church and The Soup Ladies has inspired and maybe added another dimension to their vision. A great teacher once said; “You teach what you know, but you recreate what you are!” We pray that a piece of our heart was left to attach to the precious heart already present in that town.

   4) In one of my bosses communications to me he made a profound observation; “One of the many things I love about our wonderful country, is the generosity and the willingness to help when help is needed.  Our detractors can say what they want, but the American people are compassionate, caring, have heart, and take action when action is needed.”  We observed this in both public and private sectors.  From drastic discounts at major grocery chains to “CARE” packages dropped off in the middle of the night at our table people want to do something to help in times of crisis. It is our  hope that some of the protocols that are in place will be revisited and rewritten to allow the community involvement in these responses.

  5) Small does not mean insignificant. (See this weeks blogs and photo’s!)

   In closing, it has been a joy and a privilege to work with this core team of five dedicated servants. I am proud to be numbered among them.  We are packed and returning with knowledge and equipment that we did not have before.  We will be better prepared for the next crisis…or should I say opportunity to serve.  Our sincerest thanks to all who made this possible, from our dedicated and understanding spouses, our ministry authorities, our host homes, the generous contributors both financial and hard asset, and to God, without whom none of this would have been possible.  The Real Missions logo states;  “Our hands sharing God’s heart.” Is there any arena where this is more evident than in a community emergency response?  See you with us next time!!  Kevin Martindale