Dear CCOV Family,
One of the things I like about living in North Central Arizona, especially Prescott, is the sense of community. Soon after the Goodwin Fire began a few weeks ago, people quickly organized to provide as much assistance as possible to those in the fire’s way. One woman set up a Facebook group to match those with needs to those who could offer varying types of assistance. I was so impressed to see large animal owners in nearby towns like Chino Valley, Paulden, and even the Valley line up with horse trailers to evacuate horses and livestock from the affected areas. Red Cross shelters for evacuees did not accept pets, so animal lovers all over the area thought to provide lodging for them. Some people offered water and food or transportation. Clint and I have two guest rooms and offered shelter as area hotels were full. Our neighbors thought we were nuts because, well, it’s risky to take in strangers. I learned ahead of time that we would be housing a Yavapai Sherriff’s Office deputy, who had only slept three hours in his car the night before and was pulling 17-hour shifts during the emergency. He and his wife and young daughter turned out to be delightful houseguests, who were most grateful for a meal and shelter. So many people in this community followed the scripture, “Do unto others as you would have them do.” In truth, we just never know when it might be our turn to be evacuated.
I often marvel at how cooperative the vast majority of human beings really are. Our view gets so distorted by the constant barrage of news that focuses on the rogue elements among us rather than the cooperation and kindness that are mostly extended. One of the reasons I love our church so much is that CCOV is a caring community constantly reaching inward and outward. I’ve watched all of you care for one another in many of life’s difficult seasons and also reach out to the greater community with our mission projects. I am also reminded that new projects always carry an element of risk and need careful vetting, but the pay-off can be great when God’s Kingdom is furthered. Jimmy Carter was once quoted as saying, “Go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is.” So as we start planning again for the fall routine and possible new mission projects, let’s be bold and continue to extend our sense of community into the world.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Sandi