The Dallas-based nonprofit has deployed 10 chaplains to serve as spiritual beacons for first responders and families affected by the devastating flash flooding.
KERRVILLE, Texas — Standing alongside families and first responders in the flood-ravaged Hill Country are chaplains from Texans on Mission, a faith-based organization offering help, hope and healing.
“I’ve been in Katrina, I’ve been in other disasters throughout the country, throughout Texas, and I’ve never seen this kind of an outpouring of love and compassion for Texans helping Texans,” said chaplain Kai Kowalski.
A team of 10 chaplains are assigned to Texans on Mission’s relief crews that focus on cleaning up flood and debris-filled properties. Along the journey, Kowalski recalled a powerful moment involving a man who risked his life to save two children in the floodwaters. He survived.
“He dove into the water after these two kids. He pulled them to safety, and that entire time his wife thought she had lost her husband too. It was pitch black outside, she could hardly even see him,” Kowalski said.
Chaplains like Kowalski have been working directly with first responders as they deal with the trauma of around the clock search efforts.
“Every time a team goes out, every time they have a group meeting, we try to be there,” he says. “Almost every team is accepting that prayer and they do their job,” Kowalski.
Spiritual support remains just as crucial as the physical aid being offered.
Chaplain Gerry Bouffard shared an emotional moment with a woman overwhelmed by grief, who stopped her car just to talk.
“This woman jumps out of her car. She starts crying, telling me about how she heard children and couldn’t do anything,” Bouffard said.
Bouffard stressed the importance of just being there for the people, expressing empathy and compassion.
“A simple hug, crying with her, loving on her, just being there with her, I could feel her body just relax. That’s what the people here need. They need that love.”
Texans on Mission plans on assisting people impacted by the floods for weeks and perhaps months to come.