Less than 90 miles north of us, the world is turning upside down for families and communities. Since its start (due to arson) in Chico last Wednesday the Park Fire now has encompassed 386,764 acres in four counties. Look at the combined effort it is taking to bring this disaster under control:
Several former (from the '70s) Bethany youth group members (Jim Crandell, David Betts and Steve Betts) have been using technology resources and professional contacts to follow the advance of the Park Fire, enabling Bethany's Prayer Team to direct prayers to affected individuals and neighborhoods. To these guys, monitoring the emergency channels is not just a hobby; for one of them (Steve, son of late Bethany member Bob Betts and brother of Cathy Betts Sapunor), it's been a gripping and tense week as his own home is within a quarter mile of where fire crews battled the blaze on Highway 32. Evacuated to Chico with his wife, three dogs and a cat (and all the "important" stuff that could be carried in their trailer), retired engineer Steve waited and watched (remotely) as the skills of all the fire fighting experts were put into play. In similar circumstances were several family members of Howard McMackin, whose properties were also threatened.
Bethany's Prayer Team prayed around the clock for a successful outcome. And for the safety of the fire fighters risking their lives. When the fire jumped Highway 32 on Thursday night, the situation looked grim. "I've already made peace with the house being gone, but maybe I'll be surprised," said Steve. Bethany's "prayer warriors" did not let up. And today Steve's wife Ali was able to write a message—as they prepared to return to the home miraculously saved by firefighters (a helicopter had even dropped water in their backyard to extinguish a "hot spot")—to say "thank you" to all who have been praying. "Thanks for the love," she says.
No firefighters' lives have been lost and the fire is nearly 18% controlled. Considering that just a day or so ago, the fire was 0% controlled, that's saying something. And it is amazing how these teams of fire experts have been able to come together—most not knowing each other until their arrival on the scene—and apply their collective skills and talents. Moreover, behind the scenes, community volunteers have stepped up to provide emergency housing for displaced residents and safe pastured space for large animals (horses and cattle, for example) which had to be evacuated. It's something to marvel at: how does everybody DO this on a moment's notice? How is everything coordinated so quickly and so well? Surely, as the Park Fire rages on, the hand of God is upon everybody and everything.
When we pray, miracles happen. We should look for them in not only big "inferno" situations but also in the small, humble circumstances of the everyday. In the words of Jesus, as recorded in Mark 9: 23, "Everything is possible for one who believes."
—Cathy Betts Sapunor
