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Operation Blessing has also responded to the island of Puerto Rico, as they have first-hand experience in providing help to others in situations like this tragedy. “Operation Blessing is partnering with one of the first bakeries to reopen after the hurricane, and making bread for the people.” The manager of the bakery, Debbie Perez, understands its more than just bread; it’s about bringing hope. Many of these people can prepare their own foods in the house. Or, because they have no electricity, there’s no water, no gas. And, we have the opportunity to bless these people, and that way, we feel blessed to.” In addition, Operation Blessing is partnering with the mayor of San Juan to provide solar power lights so that people can have light in the midst of darkness. In her own words, the mayor shares these impactful words of gratitude; “I think for me, the great take away is that nobody called you. No one called you. You just came…Thank God for using you to give us hope.”
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Worse Mass Shooting in America’s History, Las Vegas: At least 58 Killed, Hundreds Injured and the Brave Officers and First Responders that came to the Rescue
Worse Mass Shooting in America’s History, Las Vegas: At least 58 Killed, Hundreds Injured and the Brave Officers and First Responders that came to the Rescue
Tragedy has struck Las Vegas, Nevada as thousands who were gathered at a country music concert were horribly interrupted by gunshots that rang out. While those in attendance began to enjoy the music from Jason Aldean, they had no idea what was about to take place. When the gunfire began, some thought it was fireworks being shot, until the firing continued. According to TODAY, “when the rapid gunfire continued to spray the crowd, confusion quickly turned to panic.” Raw footage displays the reality of chaos that ensued as hundreds ran in every direction seeking refuge. As the report continues, “police SWAT teams tracked the shooter to the 32nd floor of the Mandalay Bay Hotel, where officers used explosives to break into his room.” The officers entered the room and the shooter shot and killed himself. This is a sad and devastating day as it is now the greatest loss of life from a shooter as more than 50 lives have been lost and hundreds have been wounded.
These travesties and devastating events are happening more and more in our country that some would believe this is commonplace. This is not normal. John Paul Jackson cried out to God asking why these types of events are happening; and God spoke to him in return. The Lord said, “My people are going to cry out to Me.”When he asked “when?”, the Lord continued, “it will keep getting darker until they do.” We, as the Church, must turn back to God. We, as a nation must turn back to God.
As the nation responded in shock to this devastation, President Trump responded by making a statement from the White House about what took place. “It was an act of pure evil. The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security are working closely with local authorities to assist with the investigation and they will provide updates as to the investigation and how it develops.” The President understands the many law enforcement officers and first responders who were there on scene to save as many lives as possible. “I want to thank the Las Vegas metropolitan Police Department and all of the first responders for their courageous efforts and for helping to save the lives of so many. The speed with which they acted is miraculous and prevented further loss of life. To found the shooter so quickly after the first shots were fired is something for which we will always be thankful and grateful it shows what true professionalism is all about.”
The President also shared warm words of condolences to the many families who have lost loved ones. “To the families of the victims we are praying for you and we are here for you and we ask God to help see you through this very dark period.” In response, he points to scripture as he quotes Psalm 34:18, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” He continued his warm words to those who are now recovering. “To the wounded who are now recovering in hospitals we are praying for your full and speedy recovery and pledge to you our support from this day forward.” It is in this time that we understand that we must come together in unity. “We call upon the bonds that unite us our faith our family and our shared values. We call upon the bonds of citizenship the ties of community and the comfort of our common humanity. Our unity cannot be shattered by evil, our bonds cannot be broken by violence and though we feel such great anger at the senseless murder of our fellow citizens it is our love that defines us today and always will, forever.” Our hearts and prayers continue to go out to everyone that has been affected by this tragedy.
In response to what has taken place, a “GoFundMe” Page has been started for the many victims of the Las Vegas Shooting, which has now raised over $8 Million. We are so deeply thankful for the many law enforcement officers that ran towards the shooting while thousands were running away from the shooting. Only moments after the shooting began, these brave officers could pinpoint the location of the shooter and neutralize him. We must recognize that this is not only a time to grieve, but also a time to cry out to God, not simply recognize that this is a bad situation. It is important to remember; the seat of evil is going to come down and the seat of the righteous is going to rise. God knows the depths of injustices that have taken place. God established His justice on the Cross of Christ when Jesus Christ took the place of every human individual.
This is a time of escalation in difficulty and tragedy. By God’s grace we will get back to what was known as normal. See the full report of what has taken place in Las Vegas, and the overwhelming need for us to cry out to the heart of God in response, and so much more. Also shared in this segment: Las Vegas Shooting, Jason Aldean, Mandalay Bay Hotel, Las Vegas Police Department, John Paul Jackson, crisis, prophecy, prophetic word, high powered rifle, President Trump, The White House, Trump Administration, prayer, humility, FBI, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security, DHS, gofundme page, and prayer. Greg and John shared in this segment.
Puerto Rico, Devastated by Hurricane Maria Has Support of President Trump to Rebuild Puerto Rico
While devastation and tragedy is happening throughout mainland America, it is also happening on the island of Puerto Rico. As many are still recovering from Hurricane Harvey and Hurricane Irma, Puerto Rico suffered massive destruction when Hurricane Maria made landfall as a Category 5 Hurricane. Some may not fully understand the wide spread devastation that has taken place throughout Puerto Rico because of Hurricane Maria. A recent report done by Vox, describes the overwhelming effects that have taken place.
Puerto Rico has its own power grid, and, thanks to the Hurricane, that has now been completely wiped out. As Vox explains, “now it’ll be months before most of the island has electricity again”. What’s additionally complex about the situation is the lack of finances its government has to rebuild. As the report continues, “The island’s economic downturn can be traced to the 1960s and 70s, when a special tax break from Congress led US companies to set up shop in Puerto Rico. Then, between 1993 and 2006, Congress phased out those tax breaks, and companies left the island in droves, taking thousands of jobs with them.” With a present debt of more than $70 Billion, and citizens leaving the island in droves, problems are increasingly mounting. But this is only the beginning of hardships the island faces.
“Since Puerto Rico imports 85% of its food, people often pay double for food and other basic necessities. The high cost of living is one of the reasons 43% of residents live in poverty.” With this in mind, it is easy to understand why many are leaving the island to find solace in mainland America. This also includes the many workers of the island’s main power company, PREPA. ” Since 2012, 30 percent of PREPA’s employees have retired or left for the mainland in search of better jobs. Electrical engineers from Puerto Rico can make about 27 percent more money on the mainland. According to its director, “PREPA is on the verge of collapse because there’s no personnel to operate it.” To add hardship to heartache, all of this was taking placebefore Hurricane Maria.
In response to the devastation that has taken place throughout the island of Puerto Rico, President Trump recently visited the island, along with many other governmental and military leaders, in a round table-like fashion, to coordinate resources and organization to the many needs taking place. As the President begins to speak, he is quick to give thanks to the many leaders in various roles that have helped respond to the devastation in Puerto Rico. Brock Long, Administrator of FEMA; Elaine Duke, Acting Secretary of Homeland Security; and Jenniffer González-Colón, Puerto Rico’s Congresswoman, were just a few notably mentions that the President gave special thanks to.
During repeated occurrences, many of those who spoke made special note to the many DOD representatives who were on the ground in Puerto Rico to provide needed resources. Congresswoman González-Colón captured the scene best with these words; “More than 4,000 people were here in the island from the different branches of the military — HHS, Navy, Army, FEMA — and all the staff working together before the hurricane hit. They were here before, during, after the first hurricane, and they continued to stay on the island, boots on the ground. During Maria – same thing.”
The President continues to speak about Puerto Rico’s effects, he speaks with words of optimism and gratitude, considering the possibilities of how it could have been worse. “But if you look at a real catastrophe like Katrina, and you look at the tremendous hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of people that died, and you look at what happened here with, really, a storm that was just totally overpowering — nobody has ever seen anything like this.” With a confirmed death toll of 16, he compares this to the thousands that have taken place in recent natural disasters. “Everybody around this table and everybody watching can really be very proud of what’s taken place in Puerto Rico.”
The President turned his attention to the many leaders of the Armed Forces and began to give special attention and thanks to their hard work and efforts. With resources numbering in the thousands, and runways being opened to make them operational, making supplies available to residents is now a reality. It is such a beautiful sight to see the President on the front lines of response, speaking face to face with the leaders of the people who need help in these dire circumstances, and bringing those who can coordinate the many resources that are so desperately needed.
Operation Blessing has also responded to the island of Puerto Rico, as they have first-hand experience in providing help to others in situations like this tragedy. “Operation Blessing is partnering with one of the first bakeries to reopen after the hurricane, and making bread for the people.” The manager of the bakery, Debbie Perez, understands its more than just bread; it’s about bringing hope. Many of these people can prepare their own foods in the house. Or, because they have no electricity, there’s no water, no gas. And, we have the opportunity to bless these people, and that way, we feel blessed to.” In addition, Operation Blessing is partnering with the mayor of San Juan to provide solar power lights so that people can have light in the midst of darkness. In her own words, the mayor shares these impactful words of gratitude; “I think for me, the great take away is that nobody called you. No one called you. You just came…Thank God for using you to give us hope.” It is important that we not simply move on in our daily lives with recognizing the hardship and devastation that is taking place in Puerto Rico. There is so much pain in many hearts throughout Puerto Rico as simple needs, such as food and water are deeply needed. See the full conversation of what is taking place in Puerto Rico as you see President Trump coordinating with governmental and military leaders, Operation Blessing working with locals to provide basic needs, and so much more. Also shared in this segment: Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico, American Territory, Puerto Rico power grid, Vox, effects of Hurricane Maria, President Trump, The White House, Trump Administration, General Kelly, Category 5 Hurricane, FEMA, DHS, Marines, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, Hurricane Katrina, Operation Blessing, prayers, Hurricane Irma, crisis, relief supplies, and serving. Greg and John shared in this segment.
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