Love Always Hopes…

 

Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1Corinthians 13:7

Such powerful words, so intensely felt at this moment as our little town anxiously awaits any news about the whereabouts of Shawn Higgins. It has been 10 days, his birthday was yesterday, all of his family and friends were desperately hoping that on his birthday of all days, would be the perfect one for him to come home. The resounding efforts made by family, friends and even aquaintances has been astounding. The search and rescue crews keep saying that they have never in their careers had this many civilians so intricately involved in the actual search. Not only are they impressed with the sheer numbers of people but the skill level and knowledge on how to navigate such a heavily wooded area with steep bluffs and jagged terrain.

The outpouring of supplies by the communitity has been so great that there is basicly a market that has been set up in a tent stuffed to the gills with gloves, hand warmers, socks, backpacks, rain gear, anything you can think of that would aid a rescuer in his/her pursuit of finding Shawn. It’s all been donated it’s all there to aid people to find one man who has touched the lives of so many. Don’t even get me started on all the food that has been provided. They have another tent filled with waters and gatorades, granola bars, snacks etc and on top of that, hot food is being delivered daily to nourish those (50 to 200 depending on the day) coming off the mountain after their day long hikes through the wilderness. I say all of this because it makes me so proud to be a part of a community who is literally laying down their lives to go after one of their own.

This isn’t Orange County or Portland or Seattle, this is Coos Bay. It is one of those communities that even in the best of economic times, struggles a bit. In it’s hey day it was a logging community. In the 80’s it was all shut down and has never fully recovered from the loss. When other Oregonians think of Coos Bay they think that it is a great place to play but a little behind the rest of the state economically. That’s what makes this outpouring of support and resources and manpower so inspiring. Almost every single person or family that has donated something, anything, has done it out of a place of need. There is not a lot of extra here, there are folks truly going without in some areas so that they can give and give abundantly to the rescue of one of their own. Those who are not out searching are caring for the children or grandchildren of those who are on the mountain.

If you ever needed an example of what love looks like and what hope can inspire people to do then look no further than Coos Bay/North Bend. I have no idea what the outcome of this situation will be. I do know that God is in control and that his plan is always perfect. I have heard enough stories of others coming out of the woods after 10 to 14 days that I still have tremendous hope for a positive outcome. Not many of us will ever get the opportunity to visibly see the impact our life has had on others. When Shawn comes out of those woods he will be blown away by the efforts that have been made to find him. He will be able to see first hand what all the little things he has done in his life have added up to. Love. Hope. Family. Friendship. I want him to see it. I want him to know how much his one little life has affected people.

Keep praying my friends, keep hoping, keep loving. I keep telling myself over and over again …God has shut the mouths of lions, made the blind see, the lame walk, raised people from the dead… He Can Bring a Man Out of The Woods… no matter how long it has been.

But I will keep on hoping for your help; I will praise you more and more, I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words.

Psalm 71:14-15

Today is the day!