In Kerrville, community rushes in to help after flooding : NPR
In Kerr County, Texas, people say they are impatient to help their neighbors who lost everything due to the floods. The community has found a gathering place in a local church.
Juana Summers, host:
When you speak to people here in Kerr County, again and again, there are two things that arise. First, the breathtaking speed with which the floods struck on July 4.
Justin Carpenter: I woke up at 8:30 am Friday morning for a lot of missed calls and only to discover that we were struck by a horrible flood.
Summers: Second, it is how impatient they are to help their neighbors, some who have lost everything.
Carpenter: at 2:30 p.m. Friday afternoon, we were approved to be a distribution place. And so we opened the doors and started taking physical donations as well as a monetary. Early Saturday morning, we had people driving from San Antonio, Austin bringing things. We had – I do not know how many people we have unfortunately had to divert ourselves today who led an hour or two hours, so we would repeat them to another place that needed supplies.
Summers: It’s Justin Carpenter, the main pastor of Cross Kingdom Church. My team and I spoke to him when we stopped at Cross Kingdom late yesterday afternoon.
(SoundBite of Bags Siclling)
Summers: And really, it seems that they have moved away all the furniture inside this church and have installed tables full of supplies for displaced people, who may have lost their house and need a little help. Right next to me – I look – there is a table full of baby food and spoons. On the other side of me, there is all this non -perishable food. I can see boxes of instant rice and cheese macaroni. People can enter, pick up provisions and hangers and pick up things. There are large tables just stacked with towels and pillows, cleaning supplies and clothing for all sizes of people. There are a dozen – perhaps a few others – people here who work and organize all these supplies for people who can come and get them.
Carpenter: This community has met, has rallied and has done incredible work to meet immediate needs. We have people from our church who literally descend the river with choices and shovels and helping rescue and recovery. And it was a very difficult period, but it was beautiful in the aspect of the way in which the community met and put all their differences aside and remained concentrated on the rescue and recovery mission, then …
Summers: I mean, I know that in moments like this, many of us look at the inside of our faith …
Carpenter: right.
Summers: … for strength. How do you serve your community? I mean, the losses are simply devastating. The figures they continue to mount.
Carpenter: So, last Sunday, we reset and did two services, and I actually talked about the anchor that always holds. And in times like this, n ° 1, you must realize that the words will not repair anything. No matter what I say to someone, a loved one, you know, that they have just lost their child or they have – we have friends who still have missing family members – I can’t say anything that will bring them back. And so one of the greatest things is to be present, literally just the ministry of presence, of you, to show you support and love and to be very careful not to use so many words because many times in moments like that, you can say well -intentioned things that really hurt people.
But the question of peace and hope, as, as a person who is a follower of Jesus, we have this ability in us so that his peace keeps our minds and our hearts when we abandon why because we live in a mystery tension sometimes in these moments, and – but he – there is still hope when you know him. And John 10 is one of my key verses in times of crisis because he says that the enemy came to fly, kill and destroy, but Jesus came to give life and more abundantly. So when I see flying, killing, destroying, I know where to place these things so that I can keep my eyes focused on the truth and then love on people, pray for them and be present.
Summers: What do you hear from the people they need most at the moment, now that we’re several days?
Carpenter: Well, we have helped around 50 people so far, but most of them are moved. I mean, they only look for a few things just to get the day. And, for example, yesterday we helped three people who had been saved from trees, and they lost everything. Their house left. So we gave them immediate supplies, but they have no place to put anything beyond. And then we prayed for them. The girl was pregnant. And so, I mean, it is – honestly, it’s just crazy about the devastation that struck this area.
Summers: It must be difficult to think in the long term right now, but what do you think it will take in the long term for people to be able to rebuild? The losses are so great, and there are things and losses of life, of course, is so irreplaceable.
Carpenter: Well, I can tell you because I have personal friends – a couple who lost two children in their lives, which is devastating. The first year of sorrow is intense. The mourning process will therefore take a long time. Physical reconstruction – We can always replace things. But, you know, in the next day, when all the media leave and all the immediate aid has left, it is the local community which must remain together and support and love and pray for each other and encourage each other and remain focused on the reconstruction of the city.
Summers: It was Justin Carpenter, main pastor of Cross Kingdom Church.
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