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From a conversation with the flood relief coordinator, Leo Altmann
“The first resident I spoke to on site was an elderly man. He asked me who we were. I replied that we were Christians and had come to help. He turned around and wept silently. He was so deeply moved.” Leo Altmann, coordinator of aid efforts for the mission organization CDH-Stephanus, recounts his impressions and experiences in the crisis zone.
To be used by God is a blessing.
His name is now familiar to many: "I'm the one who was always called," Leo smiled. That he was entrusted with this important task is a testament to Leo's faith. Whoever asks God to use them, the Lord will use.
Leo had always been very active in his church community: as a youth group leader, children's choir director, and string orchestra leader, he diligently served the Lord. When the time came, Leo married his beloved wife Anastasia: in March of this year, the young couple started their family. Shortly afterward, a somewhat stressful time began for the two of them: they were both in the middle of their exam period, which ended for Leo at the end of June and for Anastasia at the end of August.
Due to his upcoming wedding, subsequent exams, and the cancellation of his musical duties in the parish, Leo was no longer able to actively fulfill his obligations. After his exams, he began to seek God's will again with renewed intensity. On the second evening of the disaster, he prayed to God with simple but earnest words: "Lord, if you wish, use me. I am ready again."
That morning at work, Leo heard the news of the flood on the radio. At first, he didn't pay much attention to it. When he arrived at the office, he received an email with the subject: "Personal help for flood victims in the Ahrweiler district." Only then did he realize how terrible something had happened. Leo volunteered and asked around among his acquaintances to see who wanted to come along.
Helper groups from various communities came together, here from Guntersblum, Laubach and Kempten.
Reinhold Wall from the Ramstein congregation also registered. Initially, they expected 20-30 people. Shortly afterward, Reinhold suggested that the mission organization issue an appeal. By that same evening, 180 members had registered. Leo took over the organization and contacted various authorities and bus companies to obtain permits and arrange for coaches.
On the morning of July 17th, the time had come: The volunteers were allowed to enter the country and lend a hand.
Now the catastrophe had a face: frightening and utterly horrifying. "It was immense: no electricity, completely destroyed houses, uprooted trees. We had never seen anything like it. There was mud and destruction everywhere. We asked a firefighter where we should help. He replied: 'Ask those affected and help where it's needed.'"
“We went to the nearest house and started cleaning the basement of mud,” Leo recounts. Only later did Leo remember his prayer on the eve of the disaster.
For the first two weeks, he was given time off work so he could dedicate himself fully to the on-site coordination. "I was getting calls and messages in the evenings, mornings, and at night. I often stayed up until the early hours to handle organizational matters such as deployment areas, tour buses, and registrations. There was a lot to do. Now I'm back to working full-time and taking care of the coordination tasks after work. This often leaves me very little time for my wife. But she's completely understanding."
Anastasia is also actively involved in the relief effort: she blesses Leo, prays for him, and supports him with the organization. They both agree: they had imagined the initial period after their wedding would be somewhat different. Yet, at the same time, they are certain that it is a special blessing to be used by God, even if it comes with certain disadvantages in their personal lives. Recent events have reinforced their belief that God himself moves people. He is very near and answers prayers. People who truly want to be needed will be heard.
This house was cleared out and freed of mud by members of the Miesau community over several hours.
Let the Gospel resound
Leo recounts his experiences on the ground: “The ‘singing helpers’ quickly became well-known. Singing about God and hope amidst the devastation gave courage and uplifted the people affected. It was like balm for their wounded souls. People often wept as they listened. Once, after singing, we were heading to our buses to go home. We walked past two teenagers, and one girl said to the other, ‘That must have been a sign for us.’”
Another time, a resident of Ahrbrück told me about the cross that stands in the village on the banks of the Ahr River. The river flowed around the cross, destroying everything in its path. Only the cross remained unscathed. "It was as if the water had parted before the cross," the man marveled. I saw this cross: It isn't even bent! Time and again, people there recognize God's hand and His signs.
Some of the people in this area are religious. At least those over 40 still remember the faith of their parents and grandparents. They admit they thought there weren't many people left who believed in God and followed Him seriously. Until then, church services in the local churches of the affected areas were mostly held only occasionally, and then jointly with other local churches, as there weren't enough attendees in each individual church otherwise. These churches are mostly empty. Currently, however, they are being used as distribution points for aid supplies.
Siblings from the community of Güllesheim were on a relief mission in Ahrweiler.
Our work was a powerful testament to those affected. We were repeatedly asked why we were doing it. People never tired of marveling that the love of one's neighbor, as described in the Bible, truly exists. At the moment, it is not yet the time to evangelize there in the form of church services, as the areas remain largely devastated and the wounds, pain, and inner rage still weigh heavily on people's hearts. But our active support is increasingly opening the ears and hearts of the residents.
Throughout this whole event, people are brought closer together and they admit: there are also good aspects to this catastrophe.
We sincerely hope that in the future we will be able to bring the Gospel to the residents in the places where we have helped the most, because our true goal still lies ahead: We want to bring these people the good news of the Gospel, to let the love of Christ resound, above all to alleviate their emotional pain and to win many hearts for God. May God grant us the necessary wisdom for this. We need your prayerful support, dear brothers and sisters!
The interview was conducted by
Kateryna Solopova
Practical charity – relief effort at the Hotel Lochmühle in Mayschoß