October 29, 2024

Trench rescue is not among the most highly anticipated classes in the Tech Rescue course here at ALERT. It involves a lot of prolonged, meticulous work—digging, lifting, and moving heavy objects by hand. Generally speaking, it is not the type of work or adventure that the men were hoping to do in class. However, one of the biggest lessons I have learned while at the trench is not about the skills needed to excavate someone safely. Instead, it was a willingness to jump into a dirty situation, when no one wants to be there, and demonstrate the light of Christ, even when doing so gets you nothing but dirty and sore. Service often manifests itself in the humility it takes to pick up the shovel and jump in the trench.