The Rapid Response Team recently deployed to Medicine Hat, AB,
in response to serious flooding in late June. The waters got so
deep that portions of the TransCanada Highway were closed for days.
The South Saskatchewan River runs through downtown Medicine Hat and
flooded industrial sections, blocked sewer pipes, and submerged
residential streets.
Flood waters rose up to seven feet in the basement of Leo's
house. Volunteers from the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team and
Samaritan's Purse traveled to Medicine Hat to provide assistance.
Samaritan's Purse volunteers bailed out water and mud from Leo's
house with manpower and a bobcat. They removed damaged drywall and
household contents.
Leo is in his late 60s and married to Ethel. Rapid Response Team
volunteers spoke to Leo, as Ethel was not ready to talk. Their
house, on four acres surrounded by trees, gardens, and bird life,
is uninhabitable and they are staying with family.
Their house had previously flooded in 1994 and Leo and Ethel
suffered a $95,000 loss to the home and $30,000 to the well system.
After that flood, they were so discouraged that it has only been in
the last five years they have had the desire to repair and
renovate.
As a young child, Leo and his family survived a flood by
literally "running for their lives" from the raging waters. His
mother was not in good health. She died young, so he felt he had to
be strong for his family.
Rapid Response Team volunteers offered comfort and emotional
support throughout a lengthy conversation. They encouraged Leo as
he shared his loss through tears. Leo spoke about his good and bad
times. He shared his heavy heart and gave into his sadness about
this flood and the loss of his home and property.
Ethel does not want to rebuild or return to the house. Insurance
will not cover seepage. Leo believes a nearby dam's opening caused
the flooding and he is waiting to hear if he will receive
government compensation.
If there was one good thing about all these difficulties, it's
that Leo's daughter and her family had been living in the basement
of the home until just a week before the flood. He's very thankful
they moved before the waters rose.
Leo is very anti-church and hasn't read the Bible since he was a
child, as he believes it is contradictory. Though he has had
negative experiences with church, he accepted the offer from the
volunteers to pray for him.
Leo also accepted the Bible that was offered. After praying
together, Leo expressed his thanks, saying, "This may have brought
me back to my faith." The emotional and spiritual support offered
certainly made a difference in Leo's life.