#cocosfire

Two nights ago, the marine layer returned. This is the fog that rolls in each night from the ocean and cools our temps as well as brings moisture. This time though, the marine layer also brought hope. Our big fire, named by the media as the Cocos fire, is now 85% contained-although the damage it left will be something our city will take a while to recover from.

This morning our church decided that we would host a breakfast and time of sharing for those affected by the fires. Our hope was that through the sharing of stories, we could see that no one is in this alone. We heard stories from people who lost everything. We heard stories of people who live in our development so they chose to spend every waking moment of this crisis at the shelter helping those who were displaced. We heard stories of those who were displaced for days, and unable to work because their job was in an evacuation zone-and now they are wondering how they will make ends meet. Stories of anxiety, stories of fear, stories of exhaustion, and then-a story of hope.

As San Marcos takes steps to move past the fire, there are some things that will return to normal more quickly than others. Schools resume tomorrow. Roads are now open. Many businesses are reopening in the morning. But, some things will take longer to process. Some families will never get to go back to the house they left. Other families are dealing with the lack of a week’s pay, or having to replace all their groceries that spoiled while the power was out. Other families are trying to help their kids find healing-and the strength to overcome their fear.

I cannot fully explain what it feels like to watch your city on national news burning. I cannot put into words the depth of emotion it is for me as I hear the stories from friends, teachers, and church members that have been evacuated and are closely watching the fire maps to see if their neighborhood, their home is still there. There are no words to express my gratitude for the countless men and women who have literally put themselves in the line of the fire to protect our community. My heart is overwhelmed.

We first heard of San Marcos, CA about 18 months ago. I can honestly say that before that time I don’t think I ever knew it existed. We knew where Carlsbad and Escondido were as we had been there on different family vacations, but San Marcos-the city between-usually goes unnoticed. We do not have an amusement park, nor do we have a huge population. But the first time our family visited San Marcos is Sept of 2012, we felt at home. We prayed over this city for months before deciding that this is where we would move. We have spent over a year getting to know the people, and getting involved. We are so passionate about our city that we have shared our vision with others who either have already moved with us or would like to.

So, for me-for my family, San Marcos is more than just a place we live. San Marcos is our home. The last eight and a half months I wake up each day thankful that God orchestrated our story to move here. I wake up thankful for the people, for the parks, for the hills, for our city. The last few days, honestly I have not slept. My heart is breaking for a family I know who saw their neighborhood on the news-houses going up in flames-and each time the camera pans, they look to see if their house was one of them. My heart aches for the family we know whose house was spared, but 3 blocks from them there is utter destruction. I want to DO something for the countless families that are displaced (40k people in total as I write this) with children who are wondering why they can’t go home or play with their toys. Some of these friends have not been in their own homes since Wednesday afternoon.

How do you explain this to a child? How do you give them hope? How can we meet the needs the Red Cross doesn’t? These are the questions we are wrestling with right now. These are the things we are trying to process through. The reality is that for many of the people whose lives are being impacted and changed through these fires, there is very little to no hope. I have been reading posts from churches who have their doors open for those who want to come and while I am truly thankful they have opened their doors, shouldn’t the church GO to the people? Shouldn’t we who know hope, share it?

I have been blown away by the people in our church the last few days. We knew when we hired our children’s lead that she was something pretty incredible, but we were even surprised by the lengths to which she has gone to show our city the hope of Jesus. She has been displaced because of the fires. Her entire family (including her 2 young children) have been staying with friends, while she is at the shelter handing out popscicles, toys, water and hope.

I was blown away by our volunteer lead worshipper who took off work early yesterday to show up at the shelter and lead a time of worship for those who have been evacuated. He has only been with Catalyst for a few weeks, but I am so very thankful that God placed him on our team at just the right time.

We have attenders who were messaging me all day wondering how they can help, stuck at home because of road closures. And we have members who battled traffic to hang out and pray with people all day.