After Surviving Hurricane Ian, Woman Celebrates Her ‘New Birthday’

“The sound of the hurricane, you just, you don’t forget,” said one Fort Myers, Florida, resident who survived Hurricane Ian.

As Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains walked down streets strewn with debris, they stopped to talk to one shocked woman named Elaine whose home and yard were covered with fallen trees. The conversation turned to spiritual matters, and Elaine decided it was time to surrender her life to Jesus Christ.

“[I’m] making Oct. 7 of 2022 my … new birthday as far as accepting Jesus into my heart,” she said. “It was just beautiful. I was crying.”

Chaplains saw both her countenance and perspective change while they were with her.

“She’s going to be a powerhouse for the kingdom of God,” one chaplain shared.

PHOTOS: Billy Graham chaplains offer prayer and comfort to shaken Floridians