BY DR. JOHN SULLIVAN
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR-TREASURER
FLORIDA BAPTIST CONVENTION

Our ability overcomes their inability

When disaster happens it consumes. It is in midst of the storm that one thinks and lives the disaster. Soon “what ifs” fade and die. Reality sets in, assessment takes place, resources are calculated and the hard work of recovery begins.

The searching question of the victim is, “What can I do?” The searching question for the relief worker, “What must I do?” Somewhere in that mental dialogue both gel into a single question, “What am I doing?” It is at this stage that the victim’s inability depends on our ability.

My first major storm in Florida was Hurricane Andrew in 1992. I drove from Pensacola where I was in revival—cutting the revival short—and drove all night and part of the next day to get to the damaged area. It is a long drive from Pensacola to Miami during normal conditions. But on this occasion, I thought I would never get there. Our team was on the ground. We were setting up feeding units and communication units. We were aware that Miami and the upper Keys had been devastated by the storm.

It was amazing to watch our ability during their inability. Without electricity residents were unable to cook. The Florida Baptist feeding unit and those from other state conventions began preparing meals almost before the wind died down.

Roofs were blown away. We became “blue tarp” experts. Residents could not live in their battered homes. They couldn’t find the materials, energy or assistance.

Those in the hard-hit communities had no way to go to the store for diapers, food, toiletries or cleaning supplies. Stores were closed or damaged. People from all over the nation sent truckloads—many truckloads—of commodities that our staff and volunteers distributed. I know there were many truckloads because the warehouse was my responsibility! It wasn’t the delight of my life to load and unload trucks, but I wanted to be there to say ‘thank you’ to the folks for fueling our ability to meet so many inabilities.

It was a thing of beauty to watch our ability overcome their inability.

We provided funding to rebuild when insurance was not sufficient. Furniture was purchased for families who lost everything to help jump-start recovery. Words of encouragement were expressed to pastors, who thanked us for everything we did. But most of all they appreciated our presence.

Our presence enabled our ability to offset and overcome their inability.

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You may contact Dr. John Sullivan at
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