Your cell and radio just confirmed you have 20 minutes to leave the city!
Fort McMurray, Alberta is a beautiful city. It is modern, clean and has all the conveniences. It has a hospital, schools, a College, an airport, churches, modern luxury hotels for the travelling and visiting public. The river runs through the city and lakes are a short driving distance. A population in the 88,000 range and an additional several thousand workers in the industrial camps. The community, is friendly, multi-cultural and caring. The isolation, a five hour drive to Edmonton encourages people to share, work together and care for each other. Fort McMurray is surrounded by a beautiful Northern Alberta forest of trees
Your phone call and radio announced the Alberta Premier had declared a state of emergency. She called in more RCMP, Fire Fighters and resources. You and your 80,000 neighbors have to leave. Now! The divided highway is paved and clear. Except, no one anticipated moving the whole city at once. The gas stations closed. Those without a full tank of gas were stranded until an oil industry gas truck was dispatched.
The Northern Alberta fire has survived water bombers, helicopters and is still raging after 4 days. The power, water and natural gas to homes has been destroyed along with the decimation of 2400 structures. Citizens are living with friends, relatives and in evacuation locations across the Province. I work with two churches there. One is standing but no knowledge on collateral damage or the second one. I have many friends among the evacuees. Some know their homes are destroyed, others wait.
“A Samaritan traveling the road came on him. When he saw the man’s condition, his heart went out to him. He gave him first aid, disinfecting and bandaging his wounds. Then he lifted him onto his donkey, led him to an inn, and made him comfortable. In the morning he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take good care of him. If it costs any more, put it on my bill—I’ll pay you on my way back. (Luke 10:33-35 MSG)
Thank you Canada for the amazing support.
Leadership is caring, praying and putting action to your words.
Yours in Service,
Laurie D. Kennedy
Leadership Coach
Jethro Group
ldkjethrogroup@gmail.com