When the Flood Waters Came

KGM Team Member, Brenda Vath

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;
the Lord sits enthroned as king forever.
May the Lord give strength to his people!
May the Lord bless his people with peace!

Psalm 29:10-11 

Flood waters surround several houses in Rocky Mount, N.C. near the Tar River on Oct. 10. (THOMAS BABB/AP)

Watching in the news the damage caused by Hurricane Matthew, I’m reminded of the flood my family and I experienced following Floyd in ’99.

My heart breaks for these dear people.    The devastation is unbelievable.

There really are no words to describe how you feel when you have to be taken back to your home in a boat.

Or when you get out of the boat and walk into your home and all of your furniture is floating.

Or, when you see all of your belongings in a huge pile on the curb.   

There are no words!

We  could see the water coming.   As the water kept rising,  I finally said, “I’m worried we might get a little water in the house.”  When I said this,  I thought maybe the carpet might get a little damp.

I was delusional.

As the water rose, it became even with the height of the front porch.   It was at this point I realized our house was going to flood.   Not just a little water.  ALOT of water.  Neighbors and people from church came and stood with us while it rose.  In the end,  four feet of water poured into our home.  It was horrible.  I wondered how we’d ever get through.

But looking back, I see how we made it.   The Lord was our strength.   He gave us the strength to clean out.  He used many people to hold us up during that time.  In a time of such devastation and uncertainty, He gave us a peace that passes all understanding, to know that somehow, someway He would work it all out.  And He did!    He is faithful!

So what can we do as we watch the news and possibly feel powerless to help?   Speaking first hand:

  • Prayer is good.  Pray for these people, they need it!
  • Be the hands and feet of Jesus.   They are going to need everything.  Anything that was in the flood, is now contaminated and can no longer be used.  Even clothing is iffy.  We had clothing that was taken to the cleaners but we had to throw it all away.   The smell just wouldn’t go away.   I can still remember the stench!

One of our team members, Bethany, lives in Goldsboro.  She has made us aware of six families that have lost everything.    They were in need prior to the flood.  But now, they have no means to bounce back and replace what has been taken.

Knowing God Ministries wants to help.  Currently,  gift cards to Walmart, Food Lion or Harris Teeter would be extremely helpful to them.  You can mail them to us and we will get gift cards into the hands of these families.  In future months, there may be a need for clothing or furniture.  We’ll keep you updated.

Knowing God Ministries
P.O. Box 181
Cary, NC 27512

You, like me, may not be able to give a lot.  But when put together as a group, it multiplies.  Let’s all put our resources together and see how God multiplies it, because our God is still sitting on His throne in Heaven, and He is a God of miracles!


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Author: Tara