Those impacted by the flooding in central Texas are not alone. That is the message Baptist Disaster Relief volunteers are bringing with them to the area. As of Wednesday morning (July 9), the latest death toll from the horrific flash flooding in Central Texas had risen at least 119, with at least 150 people still missing, mostly in Kerr County, according to the latest media reports.
Many of the victims were children and counselors at Camp Mystic, a Christian girls’ camp where 27 have been confirmed dead. During a visit to the area on Tuesday, Gov. Greg Abbott noted the number of missing increased after a missing persons hotline was launched.
Ongoing response
Southern Baptist Disaster Relief teams continue assessing the damage and providing meals and chaplain care.
“We are here for them,” said Ray Rodriguez, the “blue hat” leader for a Quick Response Feeding Unit with the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention, who is serving amid efforts in Kerrville. Texans on Mission also are among those teams on the ground assessing and responding to needs.
“We are the hands and the feet of the Lord. All we can do is bring a little bit of hope. A little bit of assurance, they’re not alone,” Rodriguez told The Baptist Paper.
Photographer Marc Hooks, who has been covering the disaster for The Baptist Paper and The Alabama Baptist, visited one of the command posts where Texans on Missions had set up. He noted “joy in the morning” looks like yellow shirts this week.
“To a lot of people here, the joy looks like this,” Hooks said in a video update on Facebook. “It looks like these vehicles rolling into town. It looks like yellow shirts coming into town. It looks like mudout teams coming out to help. It looks like feeding teams helping to feed the community.” Continue to follow more of Hooks Facebook coverage for The Alabama Baptist and The Baptist Paper on their Facebook pages.
President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are expected to visit the devastated region Friday.
Ways to help
For more information on how you can help, check with your church, association or state Baptist convention to find out how they are contributing to this and other ongoing relief efforts in neighboring states, your state and beyond.
See related story on flooding response:
See other related links below:
At least 119 dead and more than 160 still missing in catastrophic Texas flooding, officials say -CNN
TX flood update: Abbott visits scene -The World and Everything in It
As recovery effort continues, a prayer request from the Hill Country: ‘For endurance … because it’s going to be a journey’ – The Southern Baptist Texan
Death toll from catastrophic flooding in Texas over the July Fourth weekend surpasses 100 -Associated Press
EDITOR’S NOTE — This story was compiled by Shawn Hendricks, content editor of The Baptist Paper, with reporting from Marc Hooks and from various media reports. Hooks is on the ground for TBP in central Texas covering relief efforts.
