An Experience of a Lifetime
What a joy to be back home! My time in TX on the Emergency Response Team at ALERT was full of challenges (like the Caleb Nelson Memorial Race), but also tons of fun. It taught me responsiveness to people’s needs and skills to help in times of disaster. Through the two months I learned both wild land firefighting and structure firefighting, high angle rescue, rescue systems 1, sawyers, and many other spiritual and mental lessons.
One of the highlights for me was going on deployment to Oklahoma City were the tornado hit. It was a blessing to be able to go in and encourage people who had lost almost everything, by cleaning up their homes or property and singing to them.
The last three weeks God worked it out for me to take the aviation course. The feeling of taking off and you actually being the one in control, was a thrilling experience. It was such a new three dimensional feeling, and took so much eye hand coordination.
Learning these skills in a Christian atmosphere with great friendly people was a wonderful experience worth the time and money for me.
Enjoy the following pictures. Young men seriously consider going through ALERT. You will never be the same.
Great pictures, Jonathan! Wow, what an adventure. It was really neat to see how you guys were able to help out after the tornado Oklahoma City.
“…responsiveness to people’s needs…
“You will never be the same.”
I’ve seen you being more responsive to people’s needs already here at home, Jonathan. It is great to have you back!
Wow, Jonathan! What a great message and what great pictures! I loved the before and after shots of your project,OKC shots, perfectly lined up chairs and the climax airplane pictures! But my absolute favorite is you in the opening ceremony! I can hardly believe you did all that! Praise the Lord. May all that learning help many, many people. 🙂