News reports indicate that as much as 80 percent of the town of Windsor was flooded at one point. The storm is being blamed for six deaths in N.C.
The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team deployed in coordination with Samaritan’s Purse, the international relief organization headed by Franklin Graham, who is also president and CEO of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association.
“As the survivors of the storm are literally carrying their memories and treasures to the curb, we are going to come alongside them and help care for the emotional and spiritual trauma they have endured.” said Jack Munday, director of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team.
The chaplains are currently in Windsor and have begun meeting with survivors of the flood. Read some of the stories of those of the receiving end of this ministry.
Blessed Assurance
The RRT chaplains went to meet a 78-year-old man whose home flooded. After he and the chaplains had a discussion about his background, the chaplains asked if he thought he would go to Heaven if he died that day. He wasn’t sure.
After talking to him about his decisions early in life he prayed a prayer of rededication. He committed to living his life for the Lord instead of having a distant relationship with Him as he has for years. The man and his wife also said the visits and prayers were special moments that meant so much to them and that they would never forget.
Meeting Special Needs
RRT chaplains went far into the countryside to present a homeowner with a Bible signed by the Samaritan’s Purse volunteer team. When the chaplains arrived she said she couldn’t believe they would come so far to find her. She has a handicapped daughter and a dog and has been displaced. She is living with relatives.
“Knowing others care enough to bring a Bible and other books all the way to the countryside to find me and pray with her is more love than I know how to receive,” she said.
The time is now.
You are a very crucial member of the Rapid Response Team. Help us share hope.
Responding to First Responders
The RRT chaplains went by the police department to see if they had any needs and to encourage them. One of the officers had lost his home in the storm and the RRT chaplains went to visit him.
The Samaritan’s Purse volunteer team was helping to remove the wet and ruined belongings. The team stopped working and gathered around with them for prayer. The officer and his wife shared their story and explained how devastating this has been to their family. It was actually their second flood.
The chaplains reassured them that God would be there for them again and be their Comfort. The officer and his family were very thankful for the visit and said, “Your visit has lightened our burden.”
An Eternal Opportunity
One of the homeowners where Samaritan’s Purse was working went to the hospital unexpectedly last night and the chaplains went to the hospital to check on him. When they arrived he had already been released.
The chaplains contacted his daughter, who was overwhelmed that the chaplains would go to those lengths for her dad. She was very thankful and asked if they would please come by next week when he was feeling better and could enjoy the visit.
As it turned out, many people have been praying for his salvation. The chaplains are asking God to open his heart to His Word and salvation before they go visit next week.
