Build a Flood Bucket for a Family in Flood Devastated Tennessee

I sat with Gary, a studio singer here in Nashville, this morning talking about the flood damage to his home. “Last night at a meeting we talked about loss,” Gary said, “I have something to say about that.” Gary explained to the group what he and his wife lost in the flood last weekend and what God was teaching him. Last night his wife had a blow dryer drying the pages of a bible give to her by her grandfather.

This afternoon Laura stopped by the Mission Discovery office and visited. Her elderly parents lived near the Cumberland River in Nashville. By Sunday evening they had 3 feet of water in their home. A building containing memories of one of their children who had died at age 12 floated by the back door. “My mother is not doing well.” Laura said.

The western two thirds of Tennessee has seen between 6 and 20 inches of rain in a 24-hour period. Most of the victims have no flood insurance. Curbs in these neighborhoods are filled with insulation, drywall, furniture, books and appliances.

As I visited one neighborhood in Belvue, west of Nashville, several home owners were sitting in gutted houses paralyzed by emotion, as volunteers worked quickly to remove debris.

“We were standing in 3 feed of water when we heard a knock at the door.” A Nashville fireman was shouting at Gary to evacuate his house. “Give us 5 more minutes.” Gary asked. “5 more…that’s all, then you’ll have to go.”

Gary said they selected the things most valuable, that didn’t already have water damage in those 5 minutes, moved them upstairs, and then waded out of the house to a waiting fire truck. Gary started to cry, “I learned something in those 5 minutes about myself.” And then used words like “importance” and “precious,” in sentences so deep with emotion that I can’t write them.

Mission Discovery is now looking for families who need help in restoring what the flood took away. Our experience is that volunteers can make a big difference in as little as 4 days! In just a few weeks houses will be dry enough to insulate and drywall. So if you have a team that can help....we need you! Gary needs you and so do Laura’s parents.

If you can’t come, send a Flood Bucket to help immediately! May God bless you and thank you for your help in restoring hope to those who lost so much here in Tennessee.

In His Service,

Maury Buchanan

President