Heroic efforts by residents of Waterville, Minnesota, weren’t enough to stop a surge of water that invaded their community. In July, heavy rain and the partial collapse of a nearby dam flooded rivers and overwhelmed the town’s walls of sandbags and pumps.
Community members like Mary,* a young mother, were left to deal with the aftermath of waterfilled homes and destroyed possessions.
The flood in Waterville was one of a string of disasters that struck the United States this summer. Samaritan’s Purse U.S. teams deployed 19 times to 13 states in response to tornadoes, flooding, and fires. As the needs grew, our Canadian disaster relief team was called to help.
Prayer and support like yours sent one of our specially equipped Disaster Relief Unit tractor-trailers and a convoy of other relief vehicles from Calgary, Alberta, to Waterville. Samaritan’s Purse volunteers from across Canada also went.
The team that arrived to clean up Mary’s home hauled away soaked furniture, scooped out smelly mud, removed soggy drywall, and sprayed to prevent mold growth. While they served, the volunteers took opportunities to encourage Mary, listen to her share, and remind her that God had not forgotten her.
Mary took it in, and as she saw the team serving her with joy, God worked in her heart. “I want what you guys have,” she told them. The volunteers—alongside crisis-trained chaplains from the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association of Canada, who often respond with our relief teams—shared the Gospel and how Jesus Christ came so we might “have life and have it abundantly” (John 10:10, ESV).
Mary wanted that life and decided to trust Jesus in repentance and faith. Praise God! The volunteers celebrated with Mary, and when they finished cleaning her home, they prayed with her and presented a Bible signed by every team member.
Sheila,* another Waterville resident, was overcome with emotion when she saw the work being done to her flooded apartment. When the cleanup finished, our volunteers presented her with a copy of God’s Word at a nearby convenience store where she worked. Andy Northup, who led the Samaritan’s Purse response, described the scene: “Picture this: orange shirts crowded into the front of a store near the counter. An employee standing in the small circle, the Bible presented to her, tears streaming down her face and the faces of many team members as one of them prayed for her.”
While this happened, another store employee watched the presentation and was also overcome with emotion. “One of the main differences you have made in our community is that you also brought the spiritual to the homeowners and that has given people hope,” shared Waterville’s chief administrative officer.
We thank God for each opportunity He provided through partners like you to care for the people of Waterville during a difficult time.
Over a month, our teams helped 81 homeowners, and we praise the Lord that five Waterville residents chose to dedicate their lives to Jesus Christ. “To all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12, ESV).
Please continue to pray for Minnesota residents who are still facing a long road to recovery and for families affected by wildfires in Canada.
*Names changed for privacy.
Help Samaritan's Purse respond quickly to victims of disasters across North America, providing not only physical assistance as people clean up and rebuild after wind, floods, fires, and other disasters, but also emotional and spiritual support in the aftermath of tragedy.