Employees of Klock Werks, in Mitchell, South Dakota, take a moment to pray outside their shop while clearing out their shop on Thursday morning, September 12, following a storm that came through Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Photo by Luke Hagen of the Mitchell Dailey Republic.

E. Stanley Jones, a great Methodist author, and evangelist to India relates a story of an evangelist and his colleague touring through a remote part of India. They hired an Indian coolie to carry their luggage and overloaded him. As they journeyed, they felt the need to preach the gospel to him. The coolie listened patiently for some time, and then he suddenly stopped, threw down the load and said, “You pile such a load as that on me, and then you preach such things to me!”

The evangelist knew he was right, divided up the burden among them, and then as they walked along sharing common burdens, they could share a gospel for the heavy laden.

Many people in southeast South Dakota feel as though the load is impossible to bear these days. With the recent downpour of flooding rain and tornadoes, some are feeling ready to give up.

A gate to a hayfield near Mitchell, SD, on Sept. 11, 2019. Photo by Dave Stucke, Dakotas Conference.

But here is the Good News. I am already hearing of individuals and congregations who are taking on some of the burdens and walking alongside these heavy laden. In disaster comes an opportunity to be the body of Christ.  I want to offer this prayer for the United Methodist congregations and leaders this weekend:

“Our gracious and compassionate God. We have prayed Sunday after Sunday, “Thy Kingdom Come, and Thy Will Be Done…” Make that prayer reality for us as we seek to be servants to others just as you have served us. Whether it’s showing up with a chain saw a loaf of bread or a word of encouragement. We are walking through a moment in time where your church can shine some hope into weary and discouraged souls. We pray for protection, strength, and even joy on those who have had one more weight put on their shoulders. May our neighbors see “Thy Kingdom Come” as we walk alongside them as witnesses of the living hope of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Rev. Roger Spahr, superintendent, Dakotas Conference Southeast District