On August 4th, 2023, Lahaina, Maui, was ravaged by intense wildfires fueled by dry conditions and fierce winds.
More than 2,000 buildings, the vast majority of which were mostly residential, were destroyed. Survivors were left devastated with indescribable grief. This Pacific paradise became a paradise lost in less than a day.
Four months later, seven SBCV Disaster Relief volunteers answered the call for help from the Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention. They didn’t just assist homeowners; these volunteers extended a compassionate hand to those who were finally being allowed back into their neighborhoods to search for belongings among the remnants of their homes.
One such homeowner was a Tunisian jeweler. “We became friends. He brought us donuts,” recalls Ron Steele. As they worked together to find items, a few gems were located along with a replica “Hawaii 5-0” badge his son used to play with.
Throughout the week the team offered help to several homeowners and even helped one person break into a safe that she recovered. The lock was destroyed by the intense heat, so the team broke into it with a hammer and cutting tools. Sadly, all the contents inside were burnt. But there was something different about this particular person. “You could tell right away that she took things in stride. She was full of joy,” Steele observed. The team soon learned that she was a Christ follower and was blessed by the hope that seemed to emanate from her smile to all her neighbors.
When the Disaster Relief volunteers show up to help, they never know exactly what they will find, except that there will always be individuals created in the image of God and, as such, imbued with dignity regardless of situation or status. They minister help, healing, and hope in every situation to the best of their abilities.
