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"Love is what prevails when the randomness of nature creates tragedy: Stuff happens . . . and sometimes very, very bad stuff happens. Tornadoes happen, earthquakes happen, hurricanes happen . . . but it is love that prevails. It is love that redeems. It is love that washes over us and fills our hearts with caring."
These words were written in 1995 by Jeff Dunckel, a parishioner of St. Raphael’s church in Rockville, Maryland, as part of a tribute to Faith, his newborn daughter. Faith had died of a birth defect after living for only two days. In a prophetic sort of way, these words also describe Jeff’s life recently, as well as the lives of his pastor and fellow parishioners as they have reached out to the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
For while none of them could really understand why a horrible disaster like Katrina occurred, they could feel Jesus calling them to respond with love. And as they stepped out in faith, God stepped in, blessing their generosity and allowing them to give—and receive—far more than they expected.
“We’ve Got to Do Something!” Dunckel first realized how bad things were in New Orleans…
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