Posted: 7/25/03
Storm teaches intern to 'be ready for anything'
By John Hall
Texas Baptist Communications
VICTORIA–An intern at Templo Jerusalem Baptist Church learned to “always be ready for anything” this summer.
Anyra Cano, a student at Hispanic Baptist Theological School, served as a youth intern at the church through a cooperative effort between the Baptist General Convention of Texas, Northside Baptist Church in Victoria and the San Antonio school.
She was working at Northside Baptist Church when Hurricane Claudette raged over the Southeast Texas town. Although a minister invited her to stay at his house, Cano ran toward where she was staying as soon as she could.
“What about the poor people here?” Cano remembers thinking as she ran. “When I came down the street, I was almost crying because that's all I could think of.”
Her host home was undamaged, but trees and piles of leaves were blown into the front yard. Cano helped her host family clean up and moved on to help others.
Teo Cisneros, pastor of Templo Jerusalem, handed her a set of keys to the church, and Cano took turns with the rest of the ministers at the church serving the community. The church facilities, one of the few buildings that had power the five days after the hurricane, remained open to provide families a place to eat and sleep comfortably.
She used the opportunity to become better acquainted with the people in the community and learn their needs. In several instances, she shared the gospel. Cisneros said he was amazed at the ease with which Cano testifies, calling it a “gift.”
Cano said she was disappointed the storm rolled through because it delayed a prayerwalk she now hopes will happen before she leaves. But the time with the people helped her get the word out about an upcoming church lock-in for youth.
“She's got a very good positive spirit,” Cisneros commented. “She takes initiative in things that need to be done, but at the same time she is sensitive to the leaders here.”
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