by Charleen Burghardt
Dear readers,
The Hill Country in South Texas experienced a terrible tragedy when the Guadalupe River raged and brought incredible amounts of water, flooding the surrounding land, affecting many people, especially children. Many lives have been lost, including children, and many houses destroyed. Businesses have been destroyed, farmers have suffered crop damage, and ranchers have lost livestock.
It is unimaginable and horrific, a nightmare that doesn’t go away. We are brokenhearted and grieving. The morning of July 4th will always be remembered for when the river flooded its banks, including those of children’s camps.
Horrific Flooding
Many churches in South Texas are providing assistance in various ways, including donations, prayers, and flood buckets. One of the pastors from my denomination, Frank Oatman, has been at the elementary school in Kerrville to be with families waiting for news of their loved ones. (Check out his Facebook posts to hear what is happening in Kerrville.)
Many adults and children died in the flood.
Kerrville is located approximately one hour north of San Antonio, nestled among rocky hills. The most treacherous river in Texas, the Guadalupe, runs through the towns of Kerrville, Hunt, and Comfort, as well as the surrounding areas. Kerrville is a beautiful town with generous, kind people. We often go there for recreation, dinner, retreats, and sightseeing. This tragedy has had a profound impact on South Texas in numerous ways.
The Guadalupe River is considered one of the most hazardous rivers in Texas.
The Guadalupe River starts in western Kerr County, specifically in the Texas Hill Country. It originates from the North and South Forks, which converge near Hunt, Texas. From there, the river flows southeast through several counties before emptying into San Antonio Bay and eventually the Gulf of Mexico. It has limestone banks and is lined with tall pecan and bald cypress trees.
A dear friend is a volunteer with Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Association, and she is currently volunteering as a chaplain in Kerrville. We are thankful for her ministry to those in need.
We are all grieving. For me, it reminds me of Hurricane Andrew’s impact on South Florida in 1992. Everyone knew someone or was related to someone affected by the hurricane. The same is true with this flood in the Hill Country. All of us know people in the Hill Country, especially those in Kerrville. We are grieving collectively. Community grief is “a shared experience of sorrow and mourning felt by a group of people in response to a loss or tragedy.” We experienced this grief when the shootings happened in Uvalde, Texas, a few years ago. Sometimes, survivor’s guilt accompanies community grief. Survivor’s guilt is “ a psychological distress experienced by individuals who have survived a traumatic event while others did not.”
Collective Grief or Community Grief
The question is, what do we do? How do we get through it?
What do we do to get through?
The first step is to recognize that we are grieving and acknowledge this fact. Take time to grieve by talking about it. Connecting with others and sharing the events and your feelings is a healthy way to grieve. Talk, talk, talk.
First, grieve the loss of those in the flood.
We also need to heal; the only way to heal is to feel it. Shed tears.
Praying for the families, first responders, and officials is another way to grieve and offer help. Attend a prayer time at a local church.
Another way to grieve is to engage in activities like giving or volunteering.
I want to share a link that was very helpful to me.
Max Lucado created a video of a guided prayer for us to pray. It is a prayer for the families and loved ones affected by the flood on July 4th. I prayed along with him for the families and victims, first responders, and officials. The prayer helped me lament and pray for those affected. Check it out.
Here is the link https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=738305858557597
Prayer: May God be with the families who have lost a loved one in this terrible flood by surrounding them with his presence and comfort. Be with the families who lost children. May God provide for those who have lost property. May God give strength and keep the first responders safe. Bless the volunteers and give the men and women who are coordinating the relief effort wisdom. Amen.
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