Sally* had several grandchildren staying with her at her home on the Guadalupe River for the holiday weekend this July 4th. Late at night, they heard the water rising, and quickly opened the doors of the house before the pressure was too great and they wouldn't be able to open them. The grandkids went out the back door, but the powerful water swept Sally out the front door of the house.

For the next hour and a half, Sally hung on to a post on the front porch as the water swept by. She told our staff, "Amazingly, I felt complete calm. It was strange. I don’t really understand it and can’t explain it. It probably had to do with being in shock… The only time I felt scared was when I wondered what had happened to my granddaughters, but I wasn’t scared at all for myself.”

The kids had made it to a small tree near the house, where they climbed up and waited until the water went down. They told Sally later that they had spent the time singing camp songs and Amazing Grace. They also told her about that the tree just a little way upstream had blocked what looked like a vehicle and a dumpster that were floating down the river.

Praise God for His protection of Sally and her grandchildren that night, and for His provision of a peace that surpasses understanding. Even months later hearing the story, our staff recognized that the events of the flood would have been completely terrifying if not for God's peace. The first time our staff met with Sally, they told her they thought that peace came from the Lord, and Sally instantly agreed. They were able to pray with her that day and thank God for that, and they also prayed she would have wisdom now as she navigates the long process of restoring her home.

We are so grateful that God allowed us to meet with Sally, and we look forward to a time when we can bring teams of volunteers to serve in her home so that we can continue to talk with her about the love of peace of God. Will you join us in praying for teams to serve in Texas so that we can continue to minister to Sally and dozens of families like her? If your church is interested in being an answer to those prayers by bringing a team to serve in TX, you can find more information here or email respond@efca.org to reserve a week.

*name changed for privacy