Thousands of people in Pasadena have been left in ruin as the California wildfires have destroyed over 9,000 structures in just a few weeks. Despite the devastation, Samaritan’s Purse has deployed volunteers to help families find their sentimental items that survived the fire.
For people like Scott Nishizaki, who thought they had lost everything, recovering something as simple as the wedding cake from his wedding can bring peace to such a distressful time. Small, beautiful moments like these are one of the ways that we remind each affected person that no matter how much they’ve lost in a disaster, God is still there for them.
Source: www.samaritanspurse.org
SCRIPT:
Aaron Richards – Samaritan’s Purse
We’re in Altadena, California where over 9000 structures have been burned. We’re day one with volunteers here, doing personal property recovery.
Scott Nishizaki – Renter
We lived here for ten years. It’s the house we brought my son home in from the hospital. In fact, the only place my kids know is home.
Aaron Richards
We’re here to, not only do the physical, but also the spiritual and emotional. We want to be able to pray for them, and we want to be able to have them have someone with them so they know that they’re not alone and that we come in Jesus name.
Scott
We found some China pieces from our wedding China set with a pair of ceramic lovebirds, that were our wedding cake toppers.
To have some of these pieces back is beautiful. You don’t necessarily realize how much sentimental value some of these things have until you’re finding them in the literal ash.
Lin Burroughs – Volunteer
But for the grace of God, it could be any one of us. But to come alongside and say, you’re not alone, and God loves you enough to send this group of people willing to put on Tyvek suits and love on you as the hands and feet of Jesus.
Scott
It’s beautiful. It’s beautiful to have some help. The thought of trying to do this by myself is overwhelming. I probably honestly wouldn’t have tried. And, it’s given a lot of peace in this moment. And so, thank you to Samaritan’s Purse, but for those who are needing help, reach out. It’s definitely worth it. And then I’m so grateful.
Aaron Richards
Continue to pray for a home-owners and for our volunteers. It’s day one but it’s going to be a while. There’s been a lot of homeowners affected. And, you know, we’re in it for the long haul. And, we’re just waiting for homeowners to ask for our assistance, and we want to help them off. We can.
Story Provided By:
Samaritan’s Purse
Producing Organization
Samaritans Purse – www.samaritanspurse.org
Recording Location
Los Angeles, California, USA
Organization featured in this Story
Samaritans Purse – www.samaritanspurse.org
People Interviewed and their Titles
Aaron Richards – Samaritan’s Purse
Scott Nishizaki – Renter
Lin Burroughs – Volunteer
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