A team of firefighters from the Fort Valley Fire Department, Peach County Fire Department, and the Byron Volunteer Fire Department traveled to Waycross to assist in battling the worst wildfire recorded in Georgia.

Many have asked me about what I saw and what I experienced. Of course, the flames, the smoke, and the devastation is what people want to hear about.

But that is not what made the greatest impression upon me.

What I remember the most was not the pictures in the news media but the spirit of the community. The undying gratitude for all those who traveled from as far away as California, Minnesota, and Idaho to help a small town in rural South Georgia tackle "The Monster" that was consuming the area with its fiery breath. What I remember are the hand drawn thank you cards for the firefighters from the local students posted on the walls of the local National Guard Armory where we were staged. The banners around town expressing thanks. The prayers said for us. The restaurants that gladly welcomed weary, soiled, and smoky firefighters into their establishment for a hot meal and then refuse payment. Or a total stranger who would walk up to the counter as you placed your order and buy your meal. Drivers honking their horns and yelling, "Thank you!" All of the smiling faces at the Armory that came only to give of their time to care for and to uplift the firefighters.

What I will remember is the living out of Scripture, "And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'" (Matthew 22:39)

Don't get me wrong, there is nothing more awe-inspiring—nor terrifying—than that of a blazing inferno consuming trees, brush, and scrub as its fiery tongues reach tens of feet into the air. But it is the Spirit manifesting itself through an entire community that had me in awe!

Thursday evening, April 26, we received the call from the Ware County Emergency Management Agency for mutual aid in battling the fires that had consumed over 100, 000 acres in two weeks.

I'm in a unique position, serving as a volunteer firefighter with both the FVFD and the PCFD. However, I also serve as a Volunteer Chaplain with the FVFD. I understand the stresses the men and women experience as firefighters responding to auto accidents, house fires, medical calls, and brush fires. I understand because I experience them as well. Sometimes it is quite challenging to see how God does work in all things—even tragedy. It was my position as Chaplain that led me to volunteer to serve on the FVFD strike team.

Everyone shared a sense of apprehension and nervousness, but we all felt very strongly about our duty to respond. It was also a time to seek God's face amidst this tragedy and seek His protection— not only for us, but for all our brothers and sisters in the fire service.

We arrived at 3:30 a.m. Friday morning at the rear staging area at the Armory. It was set up as a place for the more than 900 firefighters to get a hot meal, hot shower, a few hours sleep, and to stock up on needed essentials such as saline nasal spray, eye wash, dust masks, insect repellent, sunscreen, and even clean socks. After two hours of sleep, we were up and awaiting assignment. It was amazing to see the generosity of the community and the nation in the response to the destructive fires raging just a few miles south of our location. It was evident that God was in control and was providing for those that put their lives on the line. We were told that in two weeks of firefighting, only two injuries were suffered and both were minor. That remains true today. There are over 1, 500 firefighters battling the blazes in South Georgia and North Florida and because God is the Protector, no serious injuries have been reported.

Brighter Day Ministries (BDM) is in charge of relief efforts specifically for the firefighters. Once we were on duty, we were not allowed to leave the staging area. Brighter Day provides hot meals and any other personal items needed by the firefighters. Laundry services were available, and the BDM volunteers ensured that plenty of cots with clean linens were available for the few hours of sleep we were able to get.

While in Waycross, we saw and experienced things you'll never see in the news media. For three days we witnessed, not just a community, but an entire nation loving its neighbor as itself.

Please continue to pray for those families and communities that have been affected by this tragedy and for those that continue to fight the fire.

If you'd like to know current status of the fire, visit the Georgia Forestry Service at www.gatrees.org.

If you'd like to donate or volunteer your time, visit Brighter Day Ministries at www.brighterdayministries.net.