Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains have been serving in Oregon and California following weeks of ruthless wildfires up and down the West Coast. Thousands of homes and businesses have burned to ashes, and tens of thousands of people have been displaced—many who have no home to go back to.
More than 30 people have died in the wildfires, which have obliterated millions of acres along the West Coast.
This woman's elderly sister-in-law lost her home in the fire. There was only one item the sister-in-law really wanted to find: a diamond ring. The woman had prayed with a chaplain that the ring would be found, and later, a team from Samaritan's Purse uncovered it in a pile of rubble. The woman returned to rejoice with the chaplain and thank God the precious item was located.
Over the past few days, chaplains have been in Medford, Phoenix and Talent, all in southwest Oregon.
Although some evacuees have returned to find their homes still standing, others are facing grave loss and must completely start over.
Chaplains are available to pray with those who are struggling to find hope or need some encouragement. Here, chaplain Joseph Morrison prays with a man in his truck.
Even in the midst of crisis, there's a way to have peace. Crisis-trained chaplains share the message of a loving God through a "Steps to Peace with God" booklet, which uses Scripture to show how people can have a relationship with Him.
Pausing for prayer with a couple of workers surrounded by destruction.
Billy Graham once said, "Don't ever hesitate to take to [God] whatever is on your heart. He already knows it anyway, but He doesn't want you to bear pain or celebrate its joy alone."
A whole parking lot of scorched cars in Phoenix, Oregon.
The coronavirus, widespread protests and unrest, and overall uncertainty already had many Americans stressed and weary before fires began sweeping across a huge area of the country. Chaplains talk to one Oregon woman to offer emotional and spiritual care. Often, chaplains are able to share Jesus Christ with people open to hearing the life-saving Gospel.
Conversations in times of trial often help locals process how their world has recently changed.
A group prayer as chaplains come alongside locals to ask for God's comfort, healing and mercy in a time of great distress for so many in Oregon.
As fires tirelessly rage on, first responders and the National Guard have been on the frontlines, trying to keep Californians and Oregonians safe. They, too, need support during this time.
Please take a moment to pray for all those whose lives have been radically changed by these monstrous fires. Pray the flames can be contained, the smoke will dissipate and all evacuated will be protected wherever they are.
