Dozens Of Christian Summer Campers Dead In Texas Flooding; Prayers Urged (Video)
by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Chief International Correspondent
HUNT, USA (Worthy News) – Some 27 campers and counsellors are dead after flooding at Camp Mystic, a Christian summer camp in the U.S. state of Texas that had encouraged young people to maintain faith in Christ.
They are among more than 80 people believed to have died in the Texas flooding, Christian aid workers said.
The camp, located in the Texas settlement of Hunt in Kerr County near the Guadalupe River that burst its banks, said: “Our hearts are broken alongside our families that are enduring this unimaginable tragedy. We are praying for them constantly.”
Camp Mystic, where 6.5 inches (16.51 centimeters) of rain fell in three hours, added, “We have been in communication with local and state authorities who are tirelessly deploying extensive resources to search for our missing girls. We are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support from the community, first responders, and officials at every level.”
In a message to Christians, it stressed that “We ask for your continued prayers, respect, and privacy for each of our families affected. May the Lord continue to wrap His presence around all of us.”
The statement came while residents of Kerr County in Texas Hill Country, the epicenter of the flooding, began clearing mud and salvaging what they could from their demolished properties as they recounted harrowing escapes from rapidly rising floodwaters late Friday.
Reagan Brown said his parents, in their 80s, escaped uphill as water inundated their home in the town of Hunt.
When the couple learned that their 92-year-old neighbour was trapped in her attic, they went back and rescued her.
SCORES KILLED
“Then they were able to reach their toolshed up higher ground, and neighbors throughout the early morning began to show up at their toolshed, and they all rode it out together,” Brown told reporters.
The victims were among about 80 people confirmed dead on Sunday, including more than 20 children.
Larry Leitha, the Kerr County Sheriff in Texas Hill Country, explained that most victims were in Kerr County, including at the Christian summer camp for youngsters.
About 10 other victims were found in outlying areas, officials said.
The troubles began when the Guadalupe River broke its banks after torrential rain fell in the central Texas area on Friday, the U.S. Independence Day holiday.
Kerr County, nestled in the Texas Hill Country and home to Camp Mystic, was hit hard. The mayor of Kerrville, Joe Herring, said the Guadalupe River rose 26 feet (nearly eight meters) in 45 minutes early on Friday morning.
Worthy News reported that Camp Mystic, known for fostering a deep sense of Christian faith and community among girls ages 7 to 17, was devastated.
“It was terrifying,” recalled 13-year-old Elinor Lester, a rescued camper. “We woke up to the storm and water everywhere. A helicopter came, and we had to cross a bridge with ropes tied for us while the water whipped around our knees.”
FAMILIES WAITING
Several families were still awaiting word on their daughters Sunday with several urging prayers across social media. “The camp was completely destroyed,” Lester recalled, her voice trembling, Worthy News reported earlier.
Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared Sunday, July 6, “a day of prayer for the state in light of the deadly flooding and the continuing search for survivors.”
Former U.S. President George W. Bush, who was governor of Texas, also expressed his sadness over the deadly flooding in the state.
“On this day of prayer, Laura and I are holding up our fellow Texans who are hurting,” he added in a statement.
“We are heartbroken by the loss of life and the agony so many are feeling. Those who have lost their precious children are facing a grief no parents should ever know.”
Bush stressed, “We are grateful to the first responders and volunteers who are working to find the missing and comfort the grieving at Camp Mystic and along the Guadalupe. We know our words cannot help, but we believe the prayers of so many Americans will.”
FORMER COUNSELOR
Laura Bush, his wife, once worked as a counselor at Camp Mystic while she studied at Southern Methodist University, Worthy News learned.
Christian charities Samaritan’s Purse North American Ministries (NAM) and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s Rapid Response Team (BGEA-RRT) said they are deploying to hard-hit Kerr County, Texas.
“Our teams have been on the ground since Saturday, working with local emergency management and church partners to see how we can best help these deeply hurting communities,” they said.
U.S. evangelist Franklin Graham, the CEO of Samaritan’s Purse and BGEA, said he joined Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem via phone “to pray for families gathered in a church in Kerrville, Texas, to await word about their missing children and loved ones.”
He recalled, “I read Scripture to them and prayed for them, and Secretary Kristi Noem prayed for them as well. We need to continue to surround these devastated families and communities in prayer. Also pray for the hundreds involved in search and rescue efforts with more rain predicted.”
Intense search-and-rescue efforts remained underway Monday. More than 800 people have been plucked from the waters so far, including many saved by helicopter over the past two days, Christian aid workers said.
(With additional reporting by the Worthy News Washington D.C. Bureau.)
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