Disaster Ministry

Jim Burke sent me a letter last week in which he shared an experience he had as a ventriloquist working with school age victims of the recent tragic tornadoes in our southern states. I asked his permission to share a portion of his letter where he described his experience when called out one evening to do some "after loss" counseling at an Alabama school. Jim wrote:

"I worked with a fourth grade and a second grade class. In the first, everyone in the class knew one student who had been hurt in the tornado, and the child's mother had died in the storm. Several went to the funeral. One child (the teacher's daughter) had their house severely damaged. In the second class, one child had his home damaged, and had withdrawal problems.

"In my backpack I carried a Ventriloett, a Puppet in a Can (sold by Maher Studios years ago), a squirrel puppet, and 'Smiley', the Pocket Puppet. After a time of sharing back and forth with the students, the puppets were able to address several issues, even while entertaining. In the second grade class, the student whose house had been severely damaged, literally 'came out of his shell' through the use of the puppets.

"A call come the next day, and the gentleman calling said that I had done 'too good a job'. This State Disaster Relief Director wanted me to do similar 'counseling in two other schools this week. Unfortunately I had to decline because of a commitment to a conference in North Carolina."

I want to express appreciation to Jim for sharing this experience. Some of you reading this may be in a position and location to consider offering this type of "disaster ministry" should the need arise. Sure, we want to see people smile, but there are times when healing must take place as well, and here is one more example of how puppets could possible serve in that role. To quote Jim, "It truly is amazing what God an do when 'wood becomes alive'".