The Three Amigas and the Texas Flood

The house had a residue of mud everywhere, clothes from closets and furniture were piled high. We had just finished pulling carpet and packing boxes when our team leader announced it was time for lunch. 

 “Hey, where are my two amigas?” cried Sharon, a former Prosecutor for ten years. “Let’s grab lunch and try a local spot not too far away.”

I had driven down to San Angelo to help with the flood victims of recent weeks. 

Though, there are many non-profits who help, I decided to join Samaritan’s Purse, an international ministry dedicated to helping people in need who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters and famine. And they do it in the name of Jesus!!

There were volunteers from all over the country who came at their own expense to help others in a time of need. 

My friend, Lynn, drove all the way from Wyoming. Jeannie and her husband, Chris, who just happened to be celebrating their 42nd anniversary drove from North Carolina. Also met a mom who had always wanted to go on a mission trip but never had the opportunity. She asked her college-age daughter to go with her and together they shared their first missions experience!! On Tuesday night, I sat at a table with five people who flew to Texas from a church in California. 

People of God, of all ages, had come together in the name of Christ to serve others!!!

We were a ragtag army.

Some were electricians, plumbers and carpenters. One was a current business owner of a large chemical cleaning company. Sharon, my new friend was a former lawyer, Dave was a mortgage lender and Cindy, his fiancée was a former international HR executive. 

Different people, a variety of backgrounds, but all had come to serve others in the name of Jesus!!!

After moving debris, packing and stacking boxes, and spending hours trying to get the mud off the floors of one of our homes, the Three Amigas were ready for lunch.

We hopped in the car and drove to a local Mexican restaurant. We had just finished ordering our food when our waitress came to the table to let us know that an elderly man leaving the restaurant had paid for our meals!!!!

We looked at each other, got up and ran to the cash register. “There is no way, we are letting him leave without a BIG thank you and a hug.” 

It was a wonderful experience. 

Before each project, the volunteers gather in a circle outside the home and pray with the homeowners asking for God’s blessing over them and us as we work. Each home is visited by two Billy Graham chaplains who sit with the owners and hear their story. They ask questions about the storm, how they are coping and share the hope of the gospel with each one!!!

When our task is done, we call the owners outside to present them with a special Billy Graham Bible signed by all the volunteers and once again pray over them asking God to bless them.

After a hard day’s work, we gather at dinner and share stories of God’s faithfulness. 

I don’t know what the numbers are today, but over 26 had come to know Christ while I was there and several had recommitted their lives. We were reminded that we weren’t there just to clean and rebuild homes, but to love on people!!! They were our priority!! As God gives opportunity we were encouraged to stop our work from time to time, listen and hear their stories sharing the hope of Christ.  

It was the body of Christ at work!!

I got to visit with one young mom who had been in prison for several years. Her children were taken from her by the state. She wept as she told us her story. Several of us women gathered around her listening as the tears flowed. With arms around each other we prayed for her that God would protect her children, give her wisdom in moving forward and help her find Him sufficient for all her needs.

It was a powerful experience. And like all special times it makes its way to the heart, and we are changed by it.

Blessings ‘n hugs,