Hurricane Harvey made landfall in Texas and Louisiana in August 2017, causing catastrophic flooding and more than 100 deaths. The category 4 devasting hurricane meandered over eastern Texas for four days, dumping three to five feet of water in many areas. In its wake, more than 100 people died. Hundreds of thousands of homes were flooded. More than 17,000 people were rescued. 30,000 people were displaced.
As the storm
approached, Kathy and John decided not to leave their home (where they had
lived for 30 years) because John’s emphysema and a heart condition and Kathy’s
recent knee replacement surgery made it hard for them to get around. But when
it became obvious that they needed to get out of their house, it was too late.
They watched
helplessly as the water rose inside their home.
When the water
finally receded, the house was a mess and needed extensive repairs.
An insurance
adjustor walking down the street of abandoned houses noticed a debris pile in front of Kathy and John’s house. Even though it was the only
indication that someone might be living there, he knocked on the door.
After learning
about their situation, he contacted a non-profit organization that partners
with community groups to build and rehabilitate homes for people in need.
Everything except
the brick was rebuilt. The house now has a new roof, siding, bathroom, drywall,
kitchen island and cabinets, etc. Kathy had the privilege of choosing the
colors.
The estimated cost
of the repairs was $75-80,000. Yet, the homeowners only paid what they received
from their insurance company and/or FEMA.
Reflecting on that
awful experience, Kathy said, “I pinch myself all the time about this house. I
would never have believed this could happen.” With tear-filled eyes, she said,
“Even if this is our last Christmas together, it will be in a beautiful house.”
Only hours before
I read that story, a friend had texted me this message: “Some of the darkest
paths will lead you to the brightest places.”
Later that same
day, a friend encouraged me with these words: “Some of our hardest trials lead
to places of greatest blessing.”
Indeed!
