July 8, 2025 • 46 mins
How do you process a tragedy like the loss of life in the hillcountry of Texas? What do you do with the heartbreak coming from that flood? There are heroes and miraculous stories of lives saved. And we rejoice at that. But there is also deep loss and grief and sadness. Let's process that together on Chris Fabry Live. Guests include counselor Sissy Goff, Dr. Michael Sprague, Edward Graham, plus a prayer by Max Lucado.
Resources mentioned:
Grief Webinar Link and Resources from Sissy Goff
Sissy Goff Instagram Link: How to Talk about the Floods with your kids
Samaritan's Purse
July thank you gift:
Drive Through the Bible by Colin S. Smith
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
S1 (00:04):
When the music begins on this program, I will often ask,
how are you doing today? A more specific question how
are you doing with the news from the hill country
of Texas? The flooding, the lives lost, the Christian camp
there near the Guadalupe River that has become kind of
the epicenter of grief in our country. I haven't been
doing real well with that news, to be honest with you. Meaning,
(00:28):
I'm having a hard time reconciling the sovereignty of God
with the cries for help of those at that camp
and then up and down the river. Many were rescued,
no question, but others weren't. So today, as the search
continues for those who were swept away, we're going to
have a conversation about a word that I'm becoming less
(00:48):
enamored with the more I use it. Processing. How are
you processing what happened? It's as close as I can
come to uncovering what's going on inside. And if I
find another word, I'll let you know. This is Chris
Fabry live the program from the heart to the heart
for the heart. We thank our team. Ryan McConaughey, doing
(01:08):
all things technical. Trish is our producer. Anthony will be
answering your calls today. One of the first people I
thought of to call at a moment like this is
Cissy Goff. And we're recording with her just a few
minutes before the start of the program, because she's at
camp herself and she's going to be out on the
lake in a few minutes. She's executive director of Daystar
Counseling Ministries in Nashville, speaker, author of a number of books. Cissy,
(01:33):
how are you doing with the events in the last
few days in Texas?
S2 (01:38):
Oh, Chris, just your introduction made me teary because I'm
like you, none of us are doing well, whatever processing means,
which I know we're going to talk about, but it's
just heartbreaking and and something I don't know if you
know about me, even though you and I have been
friends now for a while, is I went to camp
on the Guadalupe for four summers and was a counselor
(01:59):
for two to the sister camp to camp mystic. So
it is one of my favorite parts of the world,
and I just have been heartbroken to watch that. He
doesn't even come close to putting the impact to the word.
But but certainly I'm grieving with those families.
S1 (02:15):
You know what I thought when I first heard about
this is if I can find out what happened, if
I can see some stories, if I can get some hope.
And it was there. There was one fellow, and there's
a woman up in a tree or a young lady
up in a tree, and we're rescuing her. But what
happened was, the more I learned, the more I saw
the the deeper the lament went and and the more
(02:38):
questions surfaced. Right.
S2 (02:40):
Mhm. Yes, absolutely. And I think that's true. I think
we have to be so careful right now how much
we're seeing, how much we're finding ourselves just staring at
our TVs and our phones because I mean, grief, grief
can feel like it takes us under and and certainly
there are folks who don't have any choice but to
be in the middle of it. And and I think
(03:02):
for them, we want to do all we can to,
to support them and, and hold up their arms as
they are in the midst of it. And for the
rest of us, we've got to be careful, because, like
you said, it just we step into the limit.
S1 (03:15):
You're right. I did not know that about you, about
being at the camp, the sister camp. But you're in
a camp. I think it's in Kentucky now. Is that right?
S2 (03:24):
Yes. We run a little summer retreat program for the
kids who are in counseling at Daystar in Nashville. And
so in the midst of trying to help families and
families from the Hill Country yesterday, I was having 50
kids dropped off for a little second through fourth grade retreat.
So it feels like I'm holding this in a lot
(03:45):
of spaces with all of us.
S1 (03:47):
Now, the girls then that you're with at the camp,
they don't know a lot about this. They're not talking
about this, are they?
S2 (03:54):
They are not. It's girls and boys. And there are some.
It's it's so small and we know the kids well.
There are some who are connected to people who've been lost.
And so we are having conversations with them. But, you know,
one of the things we want to do with younger
kids is be aware of, um, making sure their parents
are the source, that their parents are the ones who
(04:16):
are talking to them first. And so we didn't want
to be that. And we want to give the opportunities
to families to come together around any kind of tragedy,
including this one.
S1 (04:26):
When you said that you were talking with families at
at mystic, are you mean the parents of the who
are you talking about?
S2 (04:36):
Well, I because of a video I put on social
media about how to talk to your kids about the tragedy.
I was asked if I could help at some different churches,
and so my team and I decided to put together
a webinar. We actually did two yesterday Four families from
mystic for families from other camps. There are so many
(04:57):
camps in the Hill country. Anybody that wants to know
how to walk alongside any of these families who've been impacted.
So I did an hour webinar with question and answer
at the end that actually I can send you the
link to it's available to anybody now.
S1 (05:13):
Yes, please do that. And you know, and this is
I focus on the camps because that's, you know, the,
the like I said, the epicenter of the grief. But
I saw a video, I think it was yesterday of
a of a dad who had four of his kids
who went, they're not connected with the camp at all.
(05:33):
They were just at, at a house that they were
renting or they went to and were staying in, and
he lost contact with them very early in the morning
and came and the house was gone. And they hadn't
at that point found them at all. And it I
don't know where he was spiritually, But it looked like
(05:53):
he was, you know, he'd he'd lived a kind of
a hard life and a situation. And he just looked
at the fellow who was holding the camera up and,
and all he could say was just pray. Would you
just pray? And I think that that encapsulates the feeling
that we're all going through, doesn't it?
S2 (06:13):
Exactly. Yes, it certainly does. Yeah. And I think the
more we see these images, the more we are with them.
And I'm so glad you brought him up, because one
of my questions and one of the webinars was a
mom said, my son was at another camp in the
area and he his camp had to be evacuated. And
it was traumatic for these kids. And and he feels
(06:33):
missed because everybody's talking about mystic, right. And and so
for us to be continuing to have conversations about I mean,
certainly that camp, I cannot imagine what they're feeling and
going through, but everybody in the area as well.
S1 (06:48):
Is there a better word than processing? Or am I
being too hard on myself and saying I'm not doing
real well? Maybe the feelings I'm expressing and that you
mentioned as well. Maybe this is exactly what I need
to be feeling.
S2 (07:04):
Mhm. Yes. I think it's exactly what you need to
be feeling I think processing I think grief. I mean
I feel like collectively we're grieving and you know we're
so silly as humans. I think so often when our
feelings come and something about grief in particular, we can
feel like we're doing something wrong. I shouldn't be feeling this.
(07:24):
I wasn't as involved. Why am I feeling this? Or
I was involved and I should be feeling better, quicker.
Or maybe I shouldn't be this sad or this angry. Or,
like you said, questioning this much. And and it is
so important, in the midst of grief to give ourselves
grace and the people around us, because there is no
right way to grieve. But that's just where our mind jumps.
(07:45):
Maybe because we want control in the midst of it.
S1 (07:48):
Bingo. That's it. That's what I want. And I want
to find out. You know, I see this so much
about blame. You know, why didn't they fill in the blank,
you know? And about the weather service and the government
and all this stuff. And it's like, that's a symptom
of I'm out of control here, and I want to
be in control. And I don't want this to ever
happen again, which we don't. But if you go there,
(08:11):
you know, with your anger and with your grief, then
you get to a different place of the heart. And
I think what you're talking about is, is a more
redemptive way, though. We have to ask the hard questions.
And I want to do that this hour. Um, one
more question, though, for you, since you've given us this,
this webinar and we'll put the link up at the website.
(08:33):
Chris Fabry org. What do you say to the parents
who have kids who are going to go to camp
and they're scared or who are seeing, you know, I've
seen what happened over the weekend and and they are
asking these questions, what do parents do?
S2 (08:48):
Oh, Well, I think first and foremost, we have to
be aware of our own stuff bubbling up, and kids
may feel much more confident about it than the parents do,
but we often put whatever we're feeling onto them. And
there are going to be kids who feel fearful. And so,
I mean, obviously, even when you're talking about mystic and
(09:10):
how easy it is to jump to blame, my immediate thought, Chris,
was these people have given their life to these children.
That's why they run a camp. Of course, they're the
people that are going to do anything possible within their
power to protect these kids, including him giving his life.
And I think if you're taking a child to a camp,
it's because you trust that place. And so to say
(09:33):
to your child, hey, I want you to know, I
picked this camp specifically for you. Got to open the
doors for you to go. And I trust the people
in charge to take care of you. And if you
feel nervous at any point, if you're worried, I want
you to go to them and tell them specifically what
you're worried about. And this is why they have the
job they do. They're going to know exactly what to
(09:55):
say and help you work through it. And so both
helping your kids know that you trust the people, but
pointing them towards going to the sources that can help
them work through if they do get concerned, and even
arming them with some tools, send them with a little
calm down kit. As our our friend David Thomas talks
about with a stress ball and a weighted stuffed animal
(10:17):
and things that they can do a greeting card from
you with your voice recorded, that they can feel connected
to you while they're there.
S1 (10:25):
Sissy, thank you for your work. Thanks for spending a
few minutes with us here at the beginning of the
program today. God bless you friend.
S2 (10:32):
Well, always honored to you, Chris. I'm so grateful for you.
S1 (10:36):
Sissy Goff, the executive director of Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville,
will put that link up at Chris Fabry Live. Chris Fabbri, Livorno.
I saw something on CNN the other day. A reporter
who has a connection with camp mystic. I want you
to hear that. And our next guest is standing by
(10:59):
here on Chris Fabry Live online. Chris Fabry live more
straight ahead.
S3 (11:14):
So here we are at camp mystic. I was about
to do a live shot, and law enforcement came up
and said we had to evacuate because a water wall
is coming. So our crew is packing up and quickly.
I just wanted to show you where I am. I mean,
these are the cabins where the little girls were sleeping
during the flash flooding over 4th of July, and I
can't stop thinking about the fact I was a little
(11:36):
camper in one of those cabins 30 years ago. And
this river right here, the Guadalupe River, was a source
of so much joy and fun We would use the
blob where someone would jump on it, and then the
person at the end would fly into the water. We
would go looking for dinosaur fossils. We loved it here.
And to think that this same river was the source
of so much heartache and terror and devastation, I just
(11:59):
can't wrap my head around it. I can't stop thinking
about those little girls who were in their decorated bunk
beds and their trunks, waking up to horror the family
members coming out here to look for their loved ones.
It's just too much to bear.
S1 (12:12):
She said it twice. I can't stop thinking about this.
It's just rolling around. That's Pamela Brown from CNN, who
was a camper herself a few decades ago and reporting
on this story. Doctor Michael Sprague is the Louisiana State
chaplain and the Capital Commission and president of Grace adventures.
(12:33):
I'm sorry, uh, state chaplain with the Capital Commission, president
of Grace adventures, senior pastor at Trinity Church in Covington,
Louisiana for 11 years. 15 years at the Bible Church
in Silver Spring, Maryland. Foresee Bible Church. And I saw
a post from you, Michael, and it showed the cabin
(12:54):
where your daughter in law and two of your grandchildren were.
And thank you for for coming alongside us here today.
What struck me about that, and there was a video, too,
just kind of a walk around. This is what it
looks like now. What struck me was the birds singing
in the trees after all that devastation, the the peace,
(13:15):
the calm that was there in the middle of that.
So come on in. Tell me what's rolling around your
soul today?
S4 (13:24):
Uh, Chris, it's been, uh, quite, quite a week. Uh,
I came from within a whisker of getting that call
that no one wants to get. My daughter in law
and her family were part of this, uh, camp mystic
for generations. Uh, they love it there. My daughter in
(13:44):
law was a counselor there. In fact, she was in, uh,
council or at one of those cabins that was washed away.
And she took my grandchildren there. My little granddaughter, to
expose her to the camp this year, so that next year,
she could be part of that great tradition that her
(14:05):
family's had. So she rented a cabin right next to
camp mystic. They were right on the river, uh, that
day the kids were fishing. The water was calm, but
at 345 at night, they sensed that something was different
than all the decades they've been there before. Something was
(14:26):
terribly different, and they just sensed that they had to
get to high ground. Now, this is 345, and the
water rose from 345. Over the next 45 minutes. Reports
26 to 29ft. So they got out at 345, waded
(14:49):
through shin deep water. Uh, didn't quite know where to
go except try to get to higher ground. Waded through water. Uh,
got to a place that they didn't even know where
they were. It was pitch dark. Waited three hours till
the sun came up as they heard the water roaring
near them, and then got, uh, evacuated by the National
(15:10):
Guard later that afternoon, taken to the collection point where
they were flying the girls from camp mystic in by helicopter. And, uh,
my wife, uh, says that this is just Katrina all
over again for us. Katrina 2.0, except for us. Uh,
(15:32):
you know, when it's just myself and my wife, it's
one thing. When it's your young grandchildren, when it's 750
other young girls in that camp. When it's other children
in other camps and the beautiful people of that area
of Texas, it is just something that is heartbreaking. Even
as you're thankful for your grandchildren barely making it out.
(15:55):
You are just having a wait of, uh, just caring
for wonderful, wonderful people that you just know are going
through so much more.
S1 (16:06):
Yes. And that encapsulates it right there, because I saw this,
an MSN report that says our hearts. And this is
another a parent whose child got out safely. Our hearts
are broken by the devastation from the floods, including a
precious little cousin who perished. How do we trust a
(16:28):
God who is supposed to be good, all knowing and
all powerful, but who allows such terrible things to happen
even to children? That is a sacred and tender question.
and one the Bible doesn't shy away from. Scripture is
filled with the cries of those whose hearts have been shattered,
who still wrestle to trust the same God they believe
(16:49):
allowed the pain. And I thought that as I read that,
that there it is, that both both halves of that
I trust you. Help my unbelief. That's what we're going through,
isn't it?
S4 (17:03):
It absolutely is. And, Chris, if I could if I
tried to just give a simplistic, uh, 25 cent answer
to $1 million question like that, um, I wouldn't be
doing anyone any good. In some ways, at some times
my best answer is I just don't know. When it
(17:26):
comes to the why question, I remember in Katrina, people
would approach me with that over and over, and they'd
want to blame a certain group, especially the French Quarter
in New Orleans. And I just say, well, if they
were the ones that were the culprit, God, miss, because
the French Quarter was dry and yet the churches were
buried under water. I find that most people, during turbulent
(17:51):
times and during times of disaster, when they ask the
why question, at least at that particular time, they are 95%
of the time actually not asking the why question. They're
asking the who question.
S1 (18:07):
Yes.
S4 (18:08):
Does anybody know about me? Does anybody care about me?
Is there anyone bigger than these circumstances? Is there someone?
Is there someone who actually is in control? And the
scripture I read says that God is near the brokenhearted,
(18:30):
and he saves those who are crushed in spirit. And
many people during these traumatic times. They just need to
be reminded. God draws near in their brokenness. They they
don't have to pretend they can draw near to him.
He is a running father. He comes to us. He cares.
(18:55):
And even when we can't understand it. Um. He's there.
And I think for most people, they need not only
that reminder of the Lord, but God uses the people
with skin on. And in our Katrina. And what I
see happening now in Texas is 99% of people step
(19:16):
up during these times and they act heroically. They look
to others, they give money. They pray, they support our
Cajun Navy is there, as many are across the country
looking for that one more person to be found. I
just find that's not only a good way to live.
(19:38):
During disasters, it's probably the best way to live day
by day by day. As we look to God and
then we try to be to each other what we're
supposed to be.
S1 (19:50):
So what we crave. I think what I crave is control.
I want, you know, I want to want this to
be fixed. And I crave an understanding. I want to
make sense out of what I can't make sense out of.
And what you're saying is, and it's not a 25
cent answer. What you're saying is that's not really what
I'm looking for. I'm really looking for the person of Jesus. Right?
S4 (20:18):
People are looking for hope. I mean, they're looking for
hope over lots of things in our country. But right now,
in the middle of this, you know that question. Is
there any hope? Uh, it's a it's a needy question.
You can't live without hope. Or at least it's it's, uh,
you don't live well. And, uh, there is one who, uh,
(20:40):
gives not not necessarily the outward changing, but can give
an inner kind of presence confidence that, uh, really gives
people something to hold on to when everything else is
breaking apart. Yes. And I, I've got a friend who's, uh,
(21:04):
actually helping a church with four little girls that that, uh,
died in the flooding. And, uh, he's helping put together
those memorial services. I just know he's going to be.
And they are going to be focused on two things. One,
(21:25):
they're going to give space for people to grieve and cry.
They don't have to stuff Things. Um. Jesus wept during
times of death and brokenness and loss. And, uh, he
modeled something that. There's a time for that. But, uh,
these families at camp mystic, these were Christian little girls.
(21:48):
These were Christian young lady counselors and Christian moms and dads.
I know that they are going to share hope in
the midst of their grief. And anyone who thinks that
their little girl is dead and gone forever. It's they're
more alive than ever. And, uh, in in the grace
(22:09):
of God, they fell asleep in the arms of Jesus.
And they woke up instantly. And they're home. And for
those moms and dads, there is going to be a
day of reunion, a real day of reunion that goes on.
And there is the longing not only for things to
be redeemed, but to be restored, and know that in
(22:30):
the future there will be a place where there is
no more mourning, no more tears, no more floods, no
more being overwhelmed. And, uh, that's where we rest. That's
where we stand. And we cling to that even as
we shake upon the rock. Knowing the rock won't shake
(22:53):
under us. And it's okay to shake on the rock.
S1 (22:57):
I and you prayed that before we went on here.
And I want you to pray it again for our listeners,
especially the part about find one more rescue one more,
find one more person. Would you pray for us right now, Michael?
S4 (23:11):
Absolutely. Uh, Lord, uh, you know, sometimes I like to
pray palms down and palms up. And so with my
palms down and maybe the listeners palms down, we let
go of certain things right now. We let go of fear. Lord,
(23:34):
help us to let go of worry. Lord, help us
to let go of just trying to be in control.
You tell us to cast our cares upon you because
you certainly care for us. We relax that grip and
we give some things over to you. Even the next day.
(23:57):
Even tomorrow. Even this week. And then, Lord, with our
palms up, we come humbly yet boldly asking you right
now for grace. Grace. For all of those that are
in Texas. Lord, grace for moms and dads. A comfort
(24:18):
that's just supernatural. God. God, you. You're the master of
doing that. God, thank you that uh, we can just
ask you for strength or wisdom or, Lord, help us
with our confusion. But, Lord, you tell us that we
can ask for miracles. And so we ask right now,
(24:41):
in these days of rescue, may there be one more
little girl found around mystic. May there then be one more.
May there be a little boy or a family found
in another part of that river along the banks. One
more Lord, Lord, for those that are weary, cause them
(25:03):
to wait upon the Lord. And would they mount up
with wings as eagles, and one day run, and not
grow weary, and walk and not faint? We pray in
Jesus name. Amen.
S1 (25:18):
Amen, Amen. Thank you friend. Doctor Michael Sprague, for joining
us today. He made several comments about Katrina, because that's
where I first met Doctor Sprague. As as he walked
through those days. And then after that, those deep waters.
When we return after a quick break, I want you
(25:38):
to hear from someone at Samaritan's Purse on the ground
and helping out. And there are other great organizations there
doing that. This is Chris Fabry live on Moody Radio.
Chris Fabry live. How are you processing what happened there
(26:08):
along the Guadalupe River? What's going on in your heart
and soul? I'll give you our phone number (877) 548-3675. Beverly
says on Facebook. You can answer their heartbreaking and praying
continued prayers for the rescue workers. Strength and comfort for
those who have lost loved ones. Jason says it's heartbreaking.
(26:29):
This hits so close to home. Many of us in
East Kentucky lost people and property in the 2022 floods,
and some afterward due to the broken hearts, I believe.
And that's going on in Texas. And right there in
the middle of it is the chief operating officer of
Samaritan's Purse, Edward Graham, who oversees the international and domestic
(26:53):
domestic operations for Samaritan's Purse. He goes to these types
of areas around the country, around the world to coordinate
and encourage. So he's in Kerrville. You're at a church
near there that you're coordinating with Edward, is that right?
S5 (27:10):
That's correct. Chris, I'm here at Kerrville Baptist Church. This
is an actual church that does Operation Christmas. Child packed
shoeboxes for us here in this community. One of the
collection points. But we reached out to them when we
saw the disaster on TV, and they they gladly accepted
and invited us to come in with our volunteers and
work out of this church.
S1 (27:29):
Tell me what you're seeing. What? What are you experiencing?
S5 (27:33):
Yeah, it's. You know, I've been to this area before.
The hill country of Texas. This is along the Guadalupe River.
It's a beautiful area. But when it rains here, they're
used to floods and flash floods, but nothing like this.
As I drove up the river valley to go to
some of our first work orders or first homes that
we had our volunteers out this morning on, it is
massive amounts of water came down. I mean, just biblical.
(27:57):
And it reminds me a lot, a little bit what
I saw in western North Carolina, where we live with Helene.
But this is just along the river valley, not like
Helene was about every mountain valley. Um, but it is
so much loss here, so much human loss. There's a
lot of people grieving. But one thing I've noticed is
neighbor helping neighbor. As we're going into these work orders,
I saw next door neighbors taking care of each other,
(28:18):
those that didn't didn't lose their property or helping those
that did. Or they're helping those that did. So I
see great things. I've seen heroes already talk to heroes
that have come out of this, out of this great loss.
There's always going to be people that did the right
thing and loved their neighbor. But we've already got volunteers out.
I've talked to several of our teams that have gone out.
(28:39):
People are local volunteers and people that have already traveled
a great distance to be here when they saw on
the news because they knew Samaritan's Purse would come, and
they just want to love their neighbors and tell them
that God loves them. And that's why they're here, to
do manual labor. It's hard work. We muck out homes,
we clean them out. We cut out the drywall. We
put this solution called shock Wave in that helps prevent
(29:01):
mold coming in, and we get it ready for the
contractors to come through. And that's our ministry through them.
And we do it all through local churches.
S1 (29:09):
I have heard some reports of the weather and perhaps
more rain coming. So you have to look over your
shoulder for that, don't you?
S5 (29:17):
Yes, sir. There's a there's concern about more flash floods. Always,
especially after the ground is already saturated and many of
your culverts are blocked and your the water passageways and
ditches that they have built to allow for this large
flow of water. Obviously all that's been disrupted, but right
now it's hot, it's very humid. And so the volunteers
and the homeowners are out there cleaning up their homes
(29:39):
with Tyvek suits on and masks. It is extremely humid. Um,
so just pray for their safety and their work they're doing.
This is snake country. Um, and with all the debris
and everything disrupted, you know, the wildlife's been disrupted. So
there's a lot of dangers. I just pray that your
listeners pray for the safety of our volunteers. But pray
for those each encounters that God has ordained and put
(30:03):
in front of our people. We want them, yes, to
be prepared to get dirty, but also be ready for
to share the hope that's inside you. Scripture tells us,
always be prepared to give a reason for the hope. And, um,
we want them to know that Jesus loves them. We
also have a rapid response chaplains that are part of
the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. They're trained and credentialed to
share hope in crisis. They've been here almost since the beginning.
(30:25):
They were at the reunification center where the families were
linking back up with their loved ones, those campers, and
then being with those family members that their kids didn't
get off the bus. It's been heartbreaking, absolutely gut wrenching.
And so our hearts go out to those families right
now that are grieving.
S1 (30:43):
We're still praying. And Michael Sprague was just praying, Lord,
find one more, just one more. And then one more
after that. Do you still have hope that there might
still be people who are alive and needing rescue?
S5 (30:58):
Yes, sir. We always have hope. You know what? But
it's getting to the point where it's just so hot.
Been so many days, but I to. And this may
come across wrong to some of your listeners, but I
also find I want hope to find those even the
bodies for the closures for the family. Um, they just
want to find they want to know the truth, what happened,
(31:18):
or they want to just know for certain. And sometimes
that helps. Um, but yes, I pray for miracles. I
believe in a God of miracles. And, uh. And I've
seen so many in my life. And that's my prayer,
is that there would be reunification, um, in a positive light. But, uh, unfortunately,
I know there's going to be ones that are not.
(31:39):
And some may never get the answers they're looking for.
And I pray for those grieving families, but this is
an opportunity for the local churches here, like this Kerrville
Baptist Church that has agreed. And then we've also in
San Angelo, just north of here is another church we're
partnering with. With more teams going out, these are opportunities even. Well,
after we leave and we're going to be here for
a while. Samaritan's purse never leaves until the work orders
(32:01):
are done. Um, but for these churches to follow up,
disciple new believers, but be in these communities praying for
those that have lost so much.
S1 (32:08):
Yeah. You know, the ones that I have seen on video,
just these images of the EMTs and the dive team
members and the sheriff and the National Guard. You know
these volunteers that come in as well, and they are
doing exactly that, looking for the remains, you know, looking
for the bodies of the of the family members. And
(32:30):
they want to help, but that is so anguishing to them.
So praying a covering over them is important, isn't it.
S5 (32:38):
Yes, sir. And I unfortunately, while we were here, traffic
was held up because they did find additional bodies today.
And so that, um, what these volunteers and these first responders,
what they see and what they're part of, I've already
heard stories from some of the first responders, local sheriffs
that have sheriffs deputies that have already found bodies. I couldn't,
(33:00):
you know, I was in combat for years. And, um,
it's hard even in combat. But I can tell you
there's nothing worse than seeing a child. Um, and so
those memories, I pray that they're able to surrender those
and put it at the foot of the cross. The
things that they are a part of are bigger than them,
and they were never meant to be alone. And so
it is these volunteers that are out in these hot conditions.
(33:22):
The helicopters are still flying over there looking. There's boats
going up the river. There's horse teams that I saw
today going out looking cadaver dogs. They're all trying to
help bring closure to these families. Um, but yes, the
things they see and that they're a part of, I
pray they can surrender those memories and put them at
the foot of the cross.
S1 (33:41):
One more question for you, then. Edward Graham again, chief
operating officer of Samaritan's Purse. How can our listeners be involved,
be in prayer. What would you suggest?
S5 (33:51):
Yeah. First thing, it is too easy to commit to
the power of prayer and get on your knees right
now and pray for this community. Pray for those families
that have lost. Um, pray for those first responders that
you talked about. Pray for those volunteers. But I'd also
ask your your listeners if they would prayerfully consider coming
to volunteer. This isn't going to end quickly. We've got
(34:14):
so many work orders to go in homes and communities
to work in that it may be full right now
for overnight volunteers now, but in 2 or 3 weeks,
when the cameras leave, we'll still be here working. I
need volunteers committed coming for the long term. And so
you can go to Samaritan's purse.org and you can find
on ways how to get involved and sign up. And
(34:35):
there'll be ways to sign up. And if it's full,
sign up further down the road, or commit to looking
again and coming when there's an open slot. And we
also send notifications when slots open. If you're a local
listener or day laborer, come here and volunteer locally and
you can go home. And we only have so much
room in the churches. We're looking at other churches to
partner with to open up additional housing for volunteers. We
(34:57):
have the equipment. We just need the people willing to
get dirty and come love their neighbor in the name
of Jesus.
S1 (35:03):
Edward, thank you for your work, for your heart. And, uh,
hang in there. Be strengthened today. Okay.
S5 (35:09):
Thank you. This is encouraging, but thank you for highlighting
this part of Texas and keeping it in people's prayers. Um,
this means a lot to us. So thank you. And
we love your ministry.
S1 (35:20):
We have a link to Samaritan's Purse right there, if
that's what you want to do. And you're feeling that
that and I totally agree with the long term solution,
not just the quick thing that can be done that's important.
But then the long term solution, if you go to
Chris fabric org, we have a link to Samaritan's Purse
right there. That was Edward Graham, CEO of Samaritan's Purse.
(35:44):
We also have the link to Sissy Gough, mentioned a
little earlier in the program of the webinar that she's
done to help parents, and how you talk with kids
going through this kind of grief. There's more straight ahead
here on Moody Radio. Stay with us. Well, I hope
(36:13):
the conversation at the back fence is helping you do
what I have been struggling to do, and that is process.
All of this information that has been coming in over
the last few days about what's going on in this
section of our country, with everything that's going on in
the world. And you could look, you could take a
telescope or a microscope out and see so many different
(36:36):
areas where these kinds of hurt, this kind of hurt
and wounding has happened. But I think Edward was absolutely right.
The main thing to do here is pray. So I
want to do that here in the last segment. And
Madeline is in Florida. Madeline, you're willing to pray for us.
Just respond to what you've heard today.
S6 (36:57):
Yes. Thank you so much for taking my call. I
hope you can hear me and thank you for today's program.
I just want to say, in one way or another, um,
each one of us has been impacted by death or
a loss, a great loss. And every day these things
are not becoming an unusual thing. But in all of
(37:18):
what I've seen that's going on in Texas is that
these girls are such an inspiration of hope to everyone
around the world that has watched the stories unfold. And
I just want to just really remind us, as Christians,
we need to pray for our world. We need to
reach another person that's right there, that's hurting, that's gone
(37:42):
through some sort of pain. But one thing that gave
me so much hope in this story is that, you know,
these girls were at a Christian camp, and I know
there are other people that were, um, that were also
that lost their lives. But one good assurance is that
they close their eyes at a Christian camp, and now
they get to be in camp, the heavenly camp, forevermore.
(38:05):
And that is such an inspiration. And as I pondered
this over and over, the scripture that came to my
heart was Psalm 90, verse 12. It tells us to
teach us to number our days so that we may
grow a heart of wisdom. And I pray that that
stays with us today. And really think about the pain
(38:27):
that these families are going through and the people that
are all involved and all, each and every one of us,
how it has impacted us and help us to understand
that this is not our home. This is just a
journey that we're taking. Home is heaven. So, father, I
thank you for what you're teaching us through all these stories.
(38:48):
Help us to take our eyes off of ourselves now
and to look to you, Lord, the author and the
finisher of our faith, as we come alongside and grieve
with those who are hurting right now. We ask father
that you would just envelop every family in your love,
Holy spirit, reach that hurt, that pain in the heart
(39:08):
of that mom, that dad, that that friend, that family member,
that neighbor, and really just wrap your loving arms around them.
And father, as you have taught us that when we
have been healed, we should turn around and heal others
and encourage others. Help us in this moment to reach
out of ourselves. If we can't go to volunteer, help
(39:30):
us to give out of the heart of love that
you've taught us. Bless these families, Lord. And and just really,
really everyone that has experienced loss of any kind, but
most especially these beautiful young ladies. Lord, we pray that
God you would just reach their families and friends and
just just love on them. Lord, you are close to
(39:53):
the brokenhearted. We know that father. Thank you father, that
you are the hope that we have in you. And
we thank you, Lord, that God you will heal. You
will bring glory to this situation and turn everything around
for good. We thank you for it all. In Jesus name, Amen.
S2 (40:12):
Father, thank you for each person who's listening, each heart
that's represented by the thank you that we're when we're
in the midst of tragedy and mystery, that you are
there with us, just as you were there with each
person who was in the Hill Country tragedy. We thank
you that even when we don't understand why we know who,
(40:37):
and we know that you are an always loving, always
redemptive God. And and while we are grieving, we still
have hope because of who you are. And we are
grateful for you and grateful for the cross. And that
is what we cling to in this moment. Amen.
S7 (40:57):
Let's remember as we process and pray through times of disaster,
we always begin with lament. That's biblical. I mean, there's
a whole book in the Bible called Lamentations. And that
means we cry out to God, not out of disrespect. Indeed,
we're connecting with the heart of our loving father, saying, father,
(41:18):
we need your help. We love you so much and
we're begging for your help. And so we don't ever
want to gloss over crisis times like this. We need
to allow ourselves to enter into the pain along with
these beloved people who are experiencing it far more deeply
than we are. And so, Lord, that's where we begin.
(41:39):
You've told us that the righteous cry out, and the
Lord hears. And so we do cry out. Out of
the depths of our hearts we cry out to you.
Our hearts are broken for the children, for the elderly,
for the survivors. And we turn to you because we
believe that you are a Lord who weeps with those
(41:59):
who weep. The Bible tells us you're acquainted with sorrows.
You're not distant, you're not harsh. But you're a high
priest who in every way has been tested just as
we are. So we approach the throne of grace boldly
while our hearts are broken. We do hold on to
our faith. Our belief in you is constant. Uh, we
(42:22):
can relate to the Scripture that says we do not
know what to do, but our eyes are upon you,
and we believe in the great promise of the 23rd Psalm,
that though we walk through the valley of the shadow
of death, you are with us, and your rod and
your staff, they will comfort us. So we beg you
to speak words of comfort, especially upon those who have
(42:44):
lost loved ones who have lost siblings, children, parents, coworkers, colleagues,
coaches upon those who feel like they are to blame
in some way. Those who wish they had not made
decisions that they made. may we pray you'd speak words
against any convictions or fears of regret, and let the
(43:08):
healing process begin. And in in the way only you
can do. Father, glorify yourself in this, for we pray
for peace for the first responders, strength for those who
are walking right now up and down the the banks
of the Guadalupe, those who are digging in underbrush and
looking under trees. We pray for strength for those who
(43:31):
are making decisions. City leaders, state leaders. We pray for
the funeral home directors. We pray for those who are
providing food. We pray for pastors in Kerrville and Hunt,
in Ingram, and in comfort and other areas up and
down the Guadalupe River. We just beg your mercy, father.
We're reminded that this world is a place of pain,
(43:54):
and this is a time in which even the earth
groans as we look toward your final, victorious and ultimate
return through Christ. We offer this prayer. Amen.
S1 (44:08):
That was Max Lucado from yesterday as we talked about this,
and I wanted to play that again here today. And
before that, Sissy Gough again a few months ago, we
sent a book out by Tim Challies, and I keep
returning to this prayer. The book is titled Pilgrim Prayers,
(44:29):
and it's 50 devotional poems that go through a lot
of different things that we experience. And one of the
things that it goes through is a really, really deep
times of struggle. And there is a poem that is
we don't know who wrote it. It's by an anonymous poem.
(44:49):
But this selection comes back to me and it's the
poem is Lord, I approach thy throne of grace, where
mercy does abound, Owned. Desiring mercy for my sin to
heal my soul's deep wound. O Lord, I need not
repeat what I would humbly crave. For thou dost know
(45:10):
before I ask the thing that I would have mercy.
Good Lord, mercy, I ask. That is the total sum
for mercy. Lord is all my suit. It's my request,
it's my plea. O let thy mercy come. And, father,
would you do that through the truth of who your
(45:33):
son is, that he was the one who came to rescue.
He was the one who came to give his life
for us, so that we might have that relationship with
you and know that know the truth of that in
the middle of all of the questions, in the middle
of all of the anxiety and the struggle and the
(45:56):
why weren't you there that I read about in Psalm 77.
I cry aloud to God aloud to God, and he
will hear me in the day of my trouble. I
seek the Lord in the night. My hand is stretched
out without wearying. My soul refuses to be comforted. This
is the cry of our heart. We don't understand this, father.
(46:18):
But as Michael said a little earlier in the program,
we don't need the answers. We need you. We need
your presence. So pour out your mercy in us and
through us. And for those on the ground who are helping,
do the same through their lives, in their lives, I
(46:39):
pray in Jesus name, Amen. God bless you, friend. Thanks
for listening. Chris Fabry Live is a production of Moody Radio,
a ministry of Moody Bible Institute.
When the music begins on this program, I will often ask,
how are you doing today? A more specific question how
are you doing with the news from the hill country
of Texas? The flooding, the lives lost, the Christian camp
there near the Guadalupe River that has become kind of
the epicenter of grief in our country. I haven't been
doing real well with that news, to be honest with you. Meaning,
(00:28):
I'm having a hard time reconciling the sovereignty of God
with the cries for help of those at that camp
and then up and down the river. Many were rescued,
no question, but others weren't. So today, as the search
continues for those who were swept away, we're going to
have a conversation about a word that I'm becoming less
(00:48):
enamored with the more I use it. Processing. How are
you processing what happened? It's as close as I can
come to uncovering what's going on inside. And if I
find another word, I'll let you know. This is Chris
Fabry live the program from the heart to the heart
for the heart. We thank our team. Ryan McConaughey, doing
(01:08):
all things technical. Trish is our producer. Anthony will be
answering your calls today. One of the first people I
thought of to call at a moment like this is
Cissy Goff. And we're recording with her just a few
minutes before the start of the program, because she's at
camp herself and she's going to be out on the
lake in a few minutes. She's executive director of Daystar
Counseling Ministries in Nashville, speaker, author of a number of books. Cissy,
(01:33):
how are you doing with the events in the last
few days in Texas?
S2 (01:38):
Oh, Chris, just your introduction made me teary because I'm
like you, none of us are doing well, whatever processing means,
which I know we're going to talk about, but it's
just heartbreaking and and something I don't know if you
know about me, even though you and I have been
friends now for a while, is I went to camp
on the Guadalupe for four summers and was a counselor
(01:59):
for two to the sister camp to camp mystic. So
it is one of my favorite parts of the world,
and I just have been heartbroken to watch that. He
doesn't even come close to putting the impact to the word.
But but certainly I'm grieving with those families.
S1 (02:15):
You know what I thought when I first heard about
this is if I can find out what happened, if
I can see some stories, if I can get some hope.
And it was there. There was one fellow, and there's
a woman up in a tree or a young lady
up in a tree, and we're rescuing her. But what
happened was, the more I learned, the more I saw
the the deeper the lament went and and the more
(02:38):
questions surfaced. Right.
S2 (02:40):
Mhm. Yes, absolutely. And I think that's true. I think
we have to be so careful right now how much
we're seeing, how much we're finding ourselves just staring at
our TVs and our phones because I mean, grief, grief
can feel like it takes us under and and certainly
there are folks who don't have any choice but to
be in the middle of it. And and I think
(03:02):
for them, we want to do all we can to,
to support them and, and hold up their arms as
they are in the midst of it. And for the
rest of us, we've got to be careful, because, like
you said, it just we step into the limit.
S1 (03:15):
You're right. I did not know that about you, about
being at the camp, the sister camp. But you're in
a camp. I think it's in Kentucky now. Is that right?
S2 (03:24):
Yes. We run a little summer retreat program for the
kids who are in counseling at Daystar in Nashville. And
so in the midst of trying to help families and
families from the Hill Country yesterday, I was having 50
kids dropped off for a little second through fourth grade retreat.
So it feels like I'm holding this in a lot
(03:45):
of spaces with all of us.
S1 (03:47):
Now, the girls then that you're with at the camp,
they don't know a lot about this. They're not talking
about this, are they?
S2 (03:54):
They are not. It's girls and boys. And there are some.
It's it's so small and we know the kids well.
There are some who are connected to people who've been lost.
And so we are having conversations with them. But, you know,
one of the things we want to do with younger
kids is be aware of, um, making sure their parents
are the source, that their parents are the ones who
(04:16):
are talking to them first. And so we didn't want
to be that. And we want to give the opportunities
to families to come together around any kind of tragedy,
including this one.
S1 (04:26):
When you said that you were talking with families at
at mystic, are you mean the parents of the who
are you talking about?
S2 (04:36):
Well, I because of a video I put on social
media about how to talk to your kids about the tragedy.
I was asked if I could help at some different churches,
and so my team and I decided to put together
a webinar. We actually did two yesterday Four families from
mystic for families from other camps. There are so many
(04:57):
camps in the Hill country. Anybody that wants to know
how to walk alongside any of these families who've been impacted.
So I did an hour webinar with question and answer
at the end that actually I can send you the
link to it's available to anybody now.
S1 (05:13):
Yes, please do that. And you know, and this is
I focus on the camps because that's, you know, the,
the like I said, the epicenter of the grief. But
I saw a video, I think it was yesterday of
a of a dad who had four of his kids
who went, they're not connected with the camp at all.
(05:33):
They were just at, at a house that they were
renting or they went to and were staying in, and
he lost contact with them very early in the morning
and came and the house was gone. And they hadn't
at that point found them at all. And it I
don't know where he was spiritually, But it looked like
(05:53):
he was, you know, he'd he'd lived a kind of
a hard life and a situation. And he just looked
at the fellow who was holding the camera up and,
and all he could say was just pray. Would you
just pray? And I think that that encapsulates the feeling
that we're all going through, doesn't it?
S2 (06:13):
Exactly. Yes, it certainly does. Yeah. And I think the
more we see these images, the more we are with them.
And I'm so glad you brought him up, because one
of my questions and one of the webinars was a
mom said, my son was at another camp in the
area and he his camp had to be evacuated. And
it was traumatic for these kids. And and he feels
(06:33):
missed because everybody's talking about mystic, right. And and so
for us to be continuing to have conversations about I mean,
certainly that camp, I cannot imagine what they're feeling and
going through, but everybody in the area as well.
S1 (06:48):
Is there a better word than processing? Or am I
being too hard on myself and saying I'm not doing
real well? Maybe the feelings I'm expressing and that you
mentioned as well. Maybe this is exactly what I need
to be feeling.
S2 (07:04):
Mhm. Yes. I think it's exactly what you need to
be feeling I think processing I think grief. I mean
I feel like collectively we're grieving and you know we're
so silly as humans. I think so often when our
feelings come and something about grief in particular, we can
feel like we're doing something wrong. I shouldn't be feeling this.
(07:24):
I wasn't as involved. Why am I feeling this? Or
I was involved and I should be feeling better, quicker.
Or maybe I shouldn't be this sad or this angry. Or,
like you said, questioning this much. And and it is
so important, in the midst of grief to give ourselves
grace and the people around us, because there is no
right way to grieve. But that's just where our mind jumps.
(07:45):
Maybe because we want control in the midst of it.
S1 (07:48):
Bingo. That's it. That's what I want. And I want
to find out. You know, I see this so much
about blame. You know, why didn't they fill in the blank,
you know? And about the weather service and the government
and all this stuff. And it's like, that's a symptom
of I'm out of control here, and I want to
be in control. And I don't want this to ever
happen again, which we don't. But if you go there,
(08:11):
you know, with your anger and with your grief, then
you get to a different place of the heart. And
I think what you're talking about is, is a more
redemptive way, though. We have to ask the hard questions.
And I want to do that this hour. Um, one
more question, though, for you, since you've given us this,
this webinar and we'll put the link up at the website.
(08:33):
Chris Fabry org. What do you say to the parents
who have kids who are going to go to camp
and they're scared or who are seeing, you know, I've
seen what happened over the weekend and and they are
asking these questions, what do parents do?
S2 (08:48):
Oh, Well, I think first and foremost, we have to
be aware of our own stuff bubbling up, and kids
may feel much more confident about it than the parents do,
but we often put whatever we're feeling onto them. And
there are going to be kids who feel fearful. And so,
I mean, obviously, even when you're talking about mystic and
(09:10):
how easy it is to jump to blame, my immediate thought, Chris,
was these people have given their life to these children.
That's why they run a camp. Of course, they're the
people that are going to do anything possible within their
power to protect these kids, including him giving his life.
And I think if you're taking a child to a camp,
it's because you trust that place. And so to say
(09:33):
to your child, hey, I want you to know, I
picked this camp specifically for you. Got to open the
doors for you to go. And I trust the people
in charge to take care of you. And if you
feel nervous at any point, if you're worried, I want
you to go to them and tell them specifically what
you're worried about. And this is why they have the
job they do. They're going to know exactly what to
(09:55):
say and help you work through it. And so both
helping your kids know that you trust the people, but
pointing them towards going to the sources that can help
them work through if they do get concerned, and even
arming them with some tools, send them with a little
calm down kit. As our our friend David Thomas talks
about with a stress ball and a weighted stuffed animal
(10:17):
and things that they can do a greeting card from
you with your voice recorded, that they can feel connected
to you while they're there.
S1 (10:25):
Sissy, thank you for your work. Thanks for spending a
few minutes with us here at the beginning of the
program today. God bless you friend.
S2 (10:32):
Well, always honored to you, Chris. I'm so grateful for you.
S1 (10:36):
Sissy Goff, the executive director of Daystar Counseling Ministries in Nashville,
will put that link up at Chris Fabry Live. Chris Fabbri, Livorno.
I saw something on CNN the other day. A reporter
who has a connection with camp mystic. I want you
to hear that. And our next guest is standing by
(10:59):
here on Chris Fabry Live online. Chris Fabry live more
straight ahead.
S3 (11:14):
So here we are at camp mystic. I was about
to do a live shot, and law enforcement came up
and said we had to evacuate because a water wall
is coming. So our crew is packing up and quickly.
I just wanted to show you where I am. I mean,
these are the cabins where the little girls were sleeping
during the flash flooding over 4th of July, and I
can't stop thinking about the fact I was a little
(11:36):
camper in one of those cabins 30 years ago. And
this river right here, the Guadalupe River, was a source
of so much joy and fun We would use the
blob where someone would jump on it, and then the
person at the end would fly into the water. We
would go looking for dinosaur fossils. We loved it here.
And to think that this same river was the source
of so much heartache and terror and devastation, I just
(11:59):
can't wrap my head around it. I can't stop thinking
about those little girls who were in their decorated bunk
beds and their trunks, waking up to horror the family
members coming out here to look for their loved ones.
It's just too much to bear.
S1 (12:12):
She said it twice. I can't stop thinking about this.
It's just rolling around. That's Pamela Brown from CNN, who
was a camper herself a few decades ago and reporting
on this story. Doctor Michael Sprague is the Louisiana State
chaplain and the Capital Commission and president of Grace adventures.
(12:33):
I'm sorry, uh, state chaplain with the Capital Commission, president
of Grace adventures, senior pastor at Trinity Church in Covington,
Louisiana for 11 years. 15 years at the Bible Church
in Silver Spring, Maryland. Foresee Bible Church. And I saw
a post from you, Michael, and it showed the cabin
(12:54):
where your daughter in law and two of your grandchildren were.
And thank you for for coming alongside us here today.
What struck me about that, and there was a video, too,
just kind of a walk around. This is what it
looks like now. What struck me was the birds singing
in the trees after all that devastation, the the peace,
(13:15):
the calm that was there in the middle of that.
So come on in. Tell me what's rolling around your
soul today?
S4 (13:24):
Uh, Chris, it's been, uh, quite, quite a week. Uh,
I came from within a whisker of getting that call
that no one wants to get. My daughter in law
and her family were part of this, uh, camp mystic
for generations. Uh, they love it there. My daughter in
(13:44):
law was a counselor there. In fact, she was in, uh,
council or at one of those cabins that was washed away.
And she took my grandchildren there. My little granddaughter, to
expose her to the camp this year, so that next year,
she could be part of that great tradition that her
(14:05):
family's had. So she rented a cabin right next to
camp mystic. They were right on the river, uh, that
day the kids were fishing. The water was calm, but
at 345 at night, they sensed that something was different
than all the decades they've been there before. Something was
(14:26):
terribly different, and they just sensed that they had to
get to high ground. Now, this is 345, and the
water rose from 345. Over the next 45 minutes. Reports
26 to 29ft. So they got out at 345, waded
(14:49):
through shin deep water. Uh, didn't quite know where to
go except try to get to higher ground. Waded through water. Uh,
got to a place that they didn't even know where
they were. It was pitch dark. Waited three hours till
the sun came up as they heard the water roaring
near them, and then got, uh, evacuated by the National
(15:10):
Guard later that afternoon, taken to the collection point where
they were flying the girls from camp mystic in by helicopter. And, uh,
my wife, uh, says that this is just Katrina all
over again for us. Katrina 2.0, except for us. Uh,
(15:32):
you know, when it's just myself and my wife, it's
one thing. When it's your young grandchildren, when it's 750
other young girls in that camp. When it's other children
in other camps and the beautiful people of that area
of Texas, it is just something that is heartbreaking. Even
as you're thankful for your grandchildren barely making it out.
(15:55):
You are just having a wait of, uh, just caring
for wonderful, wonderful people that you just know are going
through so much more.
S1 (16:06):
Yes. And that encapsulates it right there, because I saw this,
an MSN report that says our hearts. And this is
another a parent whose child got out safely. Our hearts
are broken by the devastation from the floods, including a
precious little cousin who perished. How do we trust a
(16:28):
God who is supposed to be good, all knowing and
all powerful, but who allows such terrible things to happen
even to children? That is a sacred and tender question.
and one the Bible doesn't shy away from. Scripture is
filled with the cries of those whose hearts have been shattered,
who still wrestle to trust the same God they believe
(16:49):
allowed the pain. And I thought that as I read that,
that there it is, that both both halves of that
I trust you. Help my unbelief. That's what we're going through,
isn't it?
S4 (17:03):
It absolutely is. And, Chris, if I could if I
tried to just give a simplistic, uh, 25 cent answer
to $1 million question like that, um, I wouldn't be
doing anyone any good. In some ways, at some times
my best answer is I just don't know. When it
(17:26):
comes to the why question, I remember in Katrina, people
would approach me with that over and over, and they'd
want to blame a certain group, especially the French Quarter
in New Orleans. And I just say, well, if they
were the ones that were the culprit, God, miss, because
the French Quarter was dry and yet the churches were
buried under water. I find that most people, during turbulent
(17:51):
times and during times of disaster, when they ask the
why question, at least at that particular time, they are 95%
of the time actually not asking the why question. They're
asking the who question.
S1 (18:07):
Yes.
S4 (18:08):
Does anybody know about me? Does anybody care about me?
Is there anyone bigger than these circumstances? Is there someone?
Is there someone who actually is in control? And the
scripture I read says that God is near the brokenhearted,
(18:30):
and he saves those who are crushed in spirit. And
many people during these traumatic times. They just need to
be reminded. God draws near in their brokenness. They they
don't have to pretend they can draw near to him.
He is a running father. He comes to us. He cares.
(18:55):
And even when we can't understand it. Um. He's there.
And I think for most people, they need not only
that reminder of the Lord, but God uses the people
with skin on. And in our Katrina. And what I
see happening now in Texas is 99% of people step
(19:16):
up during these times and they act heroically. They look
to others, they give money. They pray, they support our
Cajun Navy is there, as many are across the country
looking for that one more person to be found. I
just find that's not only a good way to live.
(19:38):
During disasters, it's probably the best way to live day
by day by day. As we look to God and
then we try to be to each other what we're
supposed to be.
S1 (19:50):
So what we crave. I think what I crave is control.
I want, you know, I want to want this to
be fixed. And I crave an understanding. I want to
make sense out of what I can't make sense out of.
And what you're saying is, and it's not a 25
cent answer. What you're saying is that's not really what
I'm looking for. I'm really looking for the person of Jesus. Right?
S4 (20:18):
People are looking for hope. I mean, they're looking for
hope over lots of things in our country. But right now,
in the middle of this, you know that question. Is
there any hope? Uh, it's a it's a needy question.
You can't live without hope. Or at least it's it's, uh,
you don't live well. And, uh, there is one who, uh,
(20:40):
gives not not necessarily the outward changing, but can give
an inner kind of presence confidence that, uh, really gives
people something to hold on to when everything else is
breaking apart. Yes. And I, I've got a friend who's, uh,
(21:04):
actually helping a church with four little girls that that, uh,
died in the flooding. And, uh, he's helping put together
those memorial services. I just know he's going to be.
And they are going to be focused on two things. One,
(21:25):
they're going to give space for people to grieve and cry.
They don't have to stuff Things. Um. Jesus wept during
times of death and brokenness and loss. And, uh, he
modeled something that. There's a time for that. But, uh,
these families at camp mystic, these were Christian little girls.
(21:48):
These were Christian young lady counselors and Christian moms and dads.
I know that they are going to share hope in
the midst of their grief. And anyone who thinks that
their little girl is dead and gone forever. It's they're
more alive than ever. And, uh, in in the grace
(22:09):
of God, they fell asleep in the arms of Jesus.
And they woke up instantly. And they're home. And for
those moms and dads, there is going to be a
day of reunion, a real day of reunion that goes on.
And there is the longing not only for things to
be redeemed, but to be restored, and know that in
(22:30):
the future there will be a place where there is
no more mourning, no more tears, no more floods, no
more being overwhelmed. And, uh, that's where we rest. That's
where we stand. And we cling to that even as
we shake upon the rock. Knowing the rock won't shake
(22:53):
under us. And it's okay to shake on the rock.
S1 (22:57):
I and you prayed that before we went on here.
And I want you to pray it again for our listeners,
especially the part about find one more rescue one more,
find one more person. Would you pray for us right now, Michael?
S4 (23:11):
Absolutely. Uh, Lord, uh, you know, sometimes I like to
pray palms down and palms up. And so with my
palms down and maybe the listeners palms down, we let
go of certain things right now. We let go of fear. Lord,
(23:34):
help us to let go of worry. Lord, help us
to let go of just trying to be in control.
You tell us to cast our cares upon you because
you certainly care for us. We relax that grip and
we give some things over to you. Even the next day.
(23:57):
Even tomorrow. Even this week. And then, Lord, with our
palms up, we come humbly yet boldly asking you right
now for grace. Grace. For all of those that are
in Texas. Lord, grace for moms and dads. A comfort
(24:18):
that's just supernatural. God. God, you. You're the master of
doing that. God, thank you that uh, we can just
ask you for strength or wisdom or, Lord, help us
with our confusion. But, Lord, you tell us that we
can ask for miracles. And so we ask right now,
(24:41):
in these days of rescue, may there be one more
little girl found around mystic. May there then be one more.
May there be a little boy or a family found
in another part of that river along the banks. One
more Lord, Lord, for those that are weary, cause them
(25:03):
to wait upon the Lord. And would they mount up
with wings as eagles, and one day run, and not
grow weary, and walk and not faint? We pray in
Jesus name. Amen.
S1 (25:18):
Amen, Amen. Thank you friend. Doctor Michael Sprague, for joining
us today. He made several comments about Katrina, because that's
where I first met Doctor Sprague. As as he walked
through those days. And then after that, those deep waters.
When we return after a quick break, I want you
(25:38):
to hear from someone at Samaritan's Purse on the ground
and helping out. And there are other great organizations there
doing that. This is Chris Fabry live on Moody Radio.
Chris Fabry live. How are you processing what happened there
(26:08):
along the Guadalupe River? What's going on in your heart
and soul? I'll give you our phone number (877) 548-3675. Beverly
says on Facebook. You can answer their heartbreaking and praying
continued prayers for the rescue workers. Strength and comfort for
those who have lost loved ones. Jason says it's heartbreaking.
(26:29):
This hits so close to home. Many of us in
East Kentucky lost people and property in the 2022 floods,
and some afterward due to the broken hearts, I believe.
And that's going on in Texas. And right there in
the middle of it is the chief operating officer of
Samaritan's Purse, Edward Graham, who oversees the international and domestic
(26:53):
domestic operations for Samaritan's Purse. He goes to these types
of areas around the country, around the world to coordinate
and encourage. So he's in Kerrville. You're at a church
near there that you're coordinating with Edward, is that right?
S5 (27:10):
That's correct. Chris, I'm here at Kerrville Baptist Church. This
is an actual church that does Operation Christmas. Child packed
shoeboxes for us here in this community. One of the
collection points. But we reached out to them when we
saw the disaster on TV, and they they gladly accepted
and invited us to come in with our volunteers and
work out of this church.
S1 (27:29):
Tell me what you're seeing. What? What are you experiencing?
S5 (27:33):
Yeah, it's. You know, I've been to this area before.
The hill country of Texas. This is along the Guadalupe River.
It's a beautiful area. But when it rains here, they're
used to floods and flash floods, but nothing like this.
As I drove up the river valley to go to
some of our first work orders or first homes that
we had our volunteers out this morning on, it is
massive amounts of water came down. I mean, just biblical.
(27:57):
And it reminds me a lot, a little bit what
I saw in western North Carolina, where we live with Helene.
But this is just along the river valley, not like
Helene was about every mountain valley. Um, but it is
so much loss here, so much human loss. There's a
lot of people grieving. But one thing I've noticed is
neighbor helping neighbor. As we're going into these work orders,
I saw next door neighbors taking care of each other,
(28:18):
those that didn't didn't lose their property or helping those
that did. Or they're helping those that did. So I
see great things. I've seen heroes already talk to heroes
that have come out of this, out of this great loss.
There's always going to be people that did the right
thing and loved their neighbor. But we've already got volunteers out.
I've talked to several of our teams that have gone out.
(28:39):
People are local volunteers and people that have already traveled
a great distance to be here when they saw on
the news because they knew Samaritan's Purse would come, and
they just want to love their neighbors and tell them
that God loves them. And that's why they're here, to
do manual labor. It's hard work. We muck out homes,
we clean them out. We cut out the drywall. We
put this solution called shock Wave in that helps prevent
(29:01):
mold coming in, and we get it ready for the
contractors to come through. And that's our ministry through them.
And we do it all through local churches.
S1 (29:09):
I have heard some reports of the weather and perhaps
more rain coming. So you have to look over your
shoulder for that, don't you?
S5 (29:17):
Yes, sir. There's a there's concern about more flash floods. Always,
especially after the ground is already saturated and many of
your culverts are blocked and your the water passageways and
ditches that they have built to allow for this large
flow of water. Obviously all that's been disrupted, but right
now it's hot, it's very humid. And so the volunteers
and the homeowners are out there cleaning up their homes
(29:39):
with Tyvek suits on and masks. It is extremely humid. Um,
so just pray for their safety and their work they're doing.
This is snake country. Um, and with all the debris
and everything disrupted, you know, the wildlife's been disrupted. So
there's a lot of dangers. I just pray that your
listeners pray for the safety of our volunteers. But pray
for those each encounters that God has ordained and put
(30:03):
in front of our people. We want them, yes, to
be prepared to get dirty, but also be ready for
to share the hope that's inside you. Scripture tells us,
always be prepared to give a reason for the hope. And, um,
we want them to know that Jesus loves them. We
also have a rapid response chaplains that are part of
the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. They're trained and credentialed to
share hope in crisis. They've been here almost since the beginning.
(30:25):
They were at the reunification center where the families were
linking back up with their loved ones, those campers, and
then being with those family members that their kids didn't
get off the bus. It's been heartbreaking, absolutely gut wrenching.
And so our hearts go out to those families right
now that are grieving.
S1 (30:43):
We're still praying. And Michael Sprague was just praying, Lord,
find one more, just one more. And then one more
after that. Do you still have hope that there might
still be people who are alive and needing rescue?
S5 (30:58):
Yes, sir. We always have hope. You know what? But
it's getting to the point where it's just so hot.
Been so many days, but I to. And this may
come across wrong to some of your listeners, but I
also find I want hope to find those even the
bodies for the closures for the family. Um, they just
want to find they want to know the truth, what happened,
(31:18):
or they want to just know for certain. And sometimes
that helps. Um, but yes, I pray for miracles. I
believe in a God of miracles. And, uh. And I've
seen so many in my life. And that's my prayer,
is that there would be reunification, um, in a positive light. But, uh, unfortunately,
I know there's going to be ones that are not.
(31:39):
And some may never get the answers they're looking for.
And I pray for those grieving families, but this is
an opportunity for the local churches here, like this Kerrville
Baptist Church that has agreed. And then we've also in
San Angelo, just north of here is another church we're
partnering with. With more teams going out, these are opportunities even. Well,
after we leave and we're going to be here for
a while. Samaritan's purse never leaves until the work orders
(32:01):
are done. Um, but for these churches to follow up,
disciple new believers, but be in these communities praying for
those that have lost so much.
S1 (32:08):
Yeah. You know, the ones that I have seen on video,
just these images of the EMTs and the dive team
members and the sheriff and the National Guard. You know
these volunteers that come in as well, and they are
doing exactly that, looking for the remains, you know, looking
for the bodies of the of the family members. And
(32:30):
they want to help, but that is so anguishing to them.
So praying a covering over them is important, isn't it.
S5 (32:38):
Yes, sir. And I unfortunately, while we were here, traffic
was held up because they did find additional bodies today.
And so that, um, what these volunteers and these first responders,
what they see and what they're part of, I've already
heard stories from some of the first responders, local sheriffs
that have sheriffs deputies that have already found bodies. I couldn't,
(33:00):
you know, I was in combat for years. And, um,
it's hard even in combat. But I can tell you
there's nothing worse than seeing a child. Um, and so
those memories, I pray that they're able to surrender those
and put it at the foot of the cross. The
things that they are a part of are bigger than them,
and they were never meant to be alone. And so
it is these volunteers that are out in these hot conditions.
(33:22):
The helicopters are still flying over there looking. There's boats
going up the river. There's horse teams that I saw
today going out looking cadaver dogs. They're all trying to
help bring closure to these families. Um, but yes, the
things they see and that they're a part of, I
pray they can surrender those memories and put them at
the foot of the cross.
S1 (33:41):
One more question for you, then. Edward Graham again, chief
operating officer of Samaritan's Purse. How can our listeners be involved,
be in prayer. What would you suggest?
S5 (33:51):
Yeah. First thing, it is too easy to commit to
the power of prayer and get on your knees right
now and pray for this community. Pray for those families
that have lost. Um, pray for those first responders that
you talked about. Pray for those volunteers. But I'd also
ask your your listeners if they would prayerfully consider coming
to volunteer. This isn't going to end quickly. We've got
(34:14):
so many work orders to go in homes and communities
to work in that it may be full right now
for overnight volunteers now, but in 2 or 3 weeks,
when the cameras leave, we'll still be here working. I
need volunteers committed coming for the long term. And so
you can go to Samaritan's purse.org and you can find
on ways how to get involved and sign up. And
(34:35):
there'll be ways to sign up. And if it's full,
sign up further down the road, or commit to looking
again and coming when there's an open slot. And we
also send notifications when slots open. If you're a local
listener or day laborer, come here and volunteer locally and
you can go home. And we only have so much
room in the churches. We're looking at other churches to
partner with to open up additional housing for volunteers. We
(34:57):
have the equipment. We just need the people willing to
get dirty and come love their neighbor in the name
of Jesus.
S1 (35:03):
Edward, thank you for your work, for your heart. And, uh,
hang in there. Be strengthened today. Okay.
S5 (35:09):
Thank you. This is encouraging, but thank you for highlighting
this part of Texas and keeping it in people's prayers. Um,
this means a lot to us. So thank you. And
we love your ministry.
S1 (35:20):
We have a link to Samaritan's Purse right there, if
that's what you want to do. And you're feeling that
that and I totally agree with the long term solution,
not just the quick thing that can be done that's important.
But then the long term solution, if you go to
Chris fabric org, we have a link to Samaritan's Purse
right there. That was Edward Graham, CEO of Samaritan's Purse.
(35:44):
We also have the link to Sissy Gough, mentioned a
little earlier in the program of the webinar that she's
done to help parents, and how you talk with kids
going through this kind of grief. There's more straight ahead
here on Moody Radio. Stay with us. Well, I hope
(36:13):
the conversation at the back fence is helping you do
what I have been struggling to do, and that is process.
All of this information that has been coming in over
the last few days about what's going on in this
section of our country, with everything that's going on in
the world. And you could look, you could take a
telescope or a microscope out and see so many different
(36:36):
areas where these kinds of hurt, this kind of hurt
and wounding has happened. But I think Edward was absolutely right.
The main thing to do here is pray. So I
want to do that here in the last segment. And
Madeline is in Florida. Madeline, you're willing to pray for us.
Just respond to what you've heard today.
S6 (36:57):
Yes. Thank you so much for taking my call. I
hope you can hear me and thank you for today's program.
I just want to say, in one way or another, um,
each one of us has been impacted by death or
a loss, a great loss. And every day these things
are not becoming an unusual thing. But in all of
(37:18):
what I've seen that's going on in Texas is that
these girls are such an inspiration of hope to everyone
around the world that has watched the stories unfold. And
I just want to just really remind us, as Christians,
we need to pray for our world. We need to
reach another person that's right there, that's hurting, that's gone
(37:42):
through some sort of pain. But one thing that gave
me so much hope in this story is that, you know,
these girls were at a Christian camp, and I know
there are other people that were, um, that were also
that lost their lives. But one good assurance is that
they close their eyes at a Christian camp, and now
they get to be in camp, the heavenly camp, forevermore.
(38:05):
And that is such an inspiration. And as I pondered
this over and over, the scripture that came to my
heart was Psalm 90, verse 12. It tells us to
teach us to number our days so that we may
grow a heart of wisdom. And I pray that that
stays with us today. And really think about the pain
(38:27):
that these families are going through and the people that
are all involved and all, each and every one of us,
how it has impacted us and help us to understand
that this is not our home. This is just a
journey that we're taking. Home is heaven. So, father, I
thank you for what you're teaching us through all these stories.
(38:48):
Help us to take our eyes off of ourselves now
and to look to you, Lord, the author and the
finisher of our faith, as we come alongside and grieve
with those who are hurting right now. We ask father
that you would just envelop every family in your love,
Holy spirit, reach that hurt, that pain in the heart
(39:08):
of that mom, that dad, that that friend, that family member,
that neighbor, and really just wrap your loving arms around them.
And father, as you have taught us that when we
have been healed, we should turn around and heal others
and encourage others. Help us in this moment to reach
out of ourselves. If we can't go to volunteer, help
(39:30):
us to give out of the heart of love that
you've taught us. Bless these families, Lord. And and just really,
really everyone that has experienced loss of any kind, but
most especially these beautiful young ladies. Lord, we pray that
God you would just reach their families and friends and
just just love on them. Lord, you are close to
(39:53):
the brokenhearted. We know that father. Thank you father, that
you are the hope that we have in you. And
we thank you, Lord, that God you will heal. You
will bring glory to this situation and turn everything around
for good. We thank you for it all. In Jesus name, Amen.
S2 (40:12):
Father, thank you for each person who's listening, each heart
that's represented by the thank you that we're when we're
in the midst of tragedy and mystery, that you are
there with us, just as you were there with each
person who was in the Hill Country tragedy. We thank
you that even when we don't understand why we know who,
(40:37):
and we know that you are an always loving, always
redemptive God. And and while we are grieving, we still
have hope because of who you are. And we are
grateful for you and grateful for the cross. And that
is what we cling to in this moment. Amen.
S7 (40:57):
Let's remember as we process and pray through times of disaster,
we always begin with lament. That's biblical. I mean, there's
a whole book in the Bible called Lamentations. And that
means we cry out to God, not out of disrespect. Indeed,
we're connecting with the heart of our loving father, saying, father,
(41:18):
we need your help. We love you so much and
we're begging for your help. And so we don't ever
want to gloss over crisis times like this. We need
to allow ourselves to enter into the pain along with
these beloved people who are experiencing it far more deeply
than we are. And so, Lord, that's where we begin.
(41:39):
You've told us that the righteous cry out, and the
Lord hears. And so we do cry out. Out of
the depths of our hearts we cry out to you.
Our hearts are broken for the children, for the elderly,
for the survivors. And we turn to you because we
believe that you are a Lord who weeps with those
(41:59):
who weep. The Bible tells us you're acquainted with sorrows.
You're not distant, you're not harsh. But you're a high
priest who in every way has been tested just as
we are. So we approach the throne of grace boldly
while our hearts are broken. We do hold on to
our faith. Our belief in you is constant. Uh, we
(42:22):
can relate to the Scripture that says we do not
know what to do, but our eyes are upon you,
and we believe in the great promise of the 23rd Psalm,
that though we walk through the valley of the shadow
of death, you are with us, and your rod and
your staff, they will comfort us. So we beg you
to speak words of comfort, especially upon those who have
(42:44):
lost loved ones who have lost siblings, children, parents, coworkers, colleagues,
coaches upon those who feel like they are to blame
in some way. Those who wish they had not made
decisions that they made. may we pray you'd speak words
against any convictions or fears of regret, and let the
(43:08):
healing process begin. And in in the way only you
can do. Father, glorify yourself in this, for we pray
for peace for the first responders, strength for those who
are walking right now up and down the the banks
of the Guadalupe, those who are digging in underbrush and
looking under trees. We pray for strength for those who
(43:31):
are making decisions. City leaders, state leaders. We pray for
the funeral home directors. We pray for those who are
providing food. We pray for pastors in Kerrville and Hunt,
in Ingram, and in comfort and other areas up and
down the Guadalupe River. We just beg your mercy, father.
We're reminded that this world is a place of pain,
(43:54):
and this is a time in which even the earth
groans as we look toward your final, victorious and ultimate
return through Christ. We offer this prayer. Amen.
S1 (44:08):
That was Max Lucado from yesterday as we talked about this,
and I wanted to play that again here today. And
before that, Sissy Gough again a few months ago, we
sent a book out by Tim Challies, and I keep
returning to this prayer. The book is titled Pilgrim Prayers,
(44:29):
and it's 50 devotional poems that go through a lot
of different things that we experience. And one of the
things that it goes through is a really, really deep
times of struggle. And there is a poem that is
we don't know who wrote it. It's by an anonymous poem.
(44:49):
But this selection comes back to me and it's the
poem is Lord, I approach thy throne of grace, where
mercy does abound, Owned. Desiring mercy for my sin to
heal my soul's deep wound. O Lord, I need not
repeat what I would humbly crave. For thou dost know
(45:10):
before I ask the thing that I would have mercy.
Good Lord, mercy, I ask. That is the total sum
for mercy. Lord is all my suit. It's my request,
it's my plea. O let thy mercy come. And, father,
would you do that through the truth of who your
(45:33):
son is, that he was the one who came to rescue.
He was the one who came to give his life
for us, so that we might have that relationship with
you and know that know the truth of that in
the middle of all of the questions, in the middle
of all of the anxiety and the struggle and the
(45:56):
why weren't you there that I read about in Psalm 77.
I cry aloud to God aloud to God, and he
will hear me in the day of my trouble. I
seek the Lord in the night. My hand is stretched
out without wearying. My soul refuses to be comforted. This
is the cry of our heart. We don't understand this, father.
(46:18):
But as Michael said a little earlier in the program,
we don't need the answers. We need you. We need
your presence. So pour out your mercy in us and
through us. And for those on the ground who are helping,
do the same through their lives, in their lives, I
(46:39):
pray in Jesus name, Amen. God bless you, friend. Thanks
for listening. Chris Fabry Live is a production of Moody Radio,
a ministry of Moody Bible Institute.
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