Pray for Houston & the Gulf Coast

Hi friends, as you probably know the Texas Gulf Coast has been hit extremely hard by Hurricane Harvey and the remnants of the now Tropical Storm Harvey. Rick and I our safe. Our home sits on an incline, but just like everyone else we had no idea if we would experience flooding. Below I’m sharing ways to assist in relief, including Houston Harvey relief. 

It is with an extremely heavy heart however, that I tell you so many people have not been as fortunate. We’ve been glued to the news 24/7 and feel like we are seeing scenes from an apocalypse. Families being rescued out of their second story windows and loaded into boats to get away from the rising water, cars and mack trucks submerged in upwards of 10 feet of water on vulnerable highways and underpasses, and most recently helicopter rescues eerily reminiscent of the images we saw from Katrina years ago.

My heart absolutely breaks for all those affected. The devastation and destruction is absolutely unfathomable. And while we are okay, with food, water, electricity, so many others are not.

I’ve had so many of you ask how you can help. Please, keep the cities of Houston and surrounding areas in your prayers. The Gulf Coast towns of Corpus Christi, Port Aransas, Rockport, Victoria and more, who were hit directly or within distance of Hurricane Harvey’s category landfall.

Here are a few things you can do to help many gulf coast cities and Harvey Houston relief. Please continue to check back for updates and also different ways to volunteer once the water recedes.

Donate to organizations to assist with Harvey relief: 

– Catholic Charities: Donate here to assist with short-term and long-term recovery services in collaboration with disaster relief.

– Direct Relief USA: An organization which offers prescriptions and medical supplies to those in need in emergency situations. This organization is currently accepting financial donations here.

– GoFundMe Fundraised by Chris Young for Hurricane Harvey Relief: Country singer Chris Young started a campaign to raise money for relief that will be routed through the Chris Young Foundation and distributed to various disaster relief organizations. Donate here.

– Houston Food Bank: While aid instead of food is critical long-term after a disaster, the Houston Food Bank collects both food and monetary donations. Every $1 you give, provides one meal to a person in need. Donate online here.

– JJ Watt fund for Houston Harvey relief: Beloved Texans football player, JJ Watt created a Fund for Houston Harvey relief. He himself has donated $100,000 and an additional $30,000 was raised in the first hour. Donate here.

– Salvation Army: Financial contributions are the best way to assist immediately after a natural disaster. You can make a donation by phone 1-800-SAL-ARMY (1-800-725-2769). Or make an online donation here.

– Save the Children: The Hurricane Harvey Children’s Relief fund to support child-focused relief and recovery programs for survivors. Donate online here.

– Second Baptist Church: Our church home is beginning to mobilize efforts to assist with relief here in Houston. At this time, they’re accepting monetary donations, click through here and choose “Food Relief” as the giving option.

– Star of Hope: A Christ-centered community assisting homeless men, women and children throughout the city of Houston. To assist with extra expenses for supplies as the shelter serves as a refuge for the streets homeless in Houston during the storm, donate here.

– Texas Diaper Bank: Addressing the diaper gap and its impact on individuals during crisis. Monetary donations will help the quickest, and those donations can be made here.

– United Way of Houston: The United Way Relief fund has been set up to help support the community in the aftermath of Harvey. Priority will be emphasized on safety, shelter and basic needs, like food. To donate, please do so here.

– YMCA Houston: Donate online here or text HOUSTON to 91999 to make a donation.

Plus, we cannot forget our furry friends:

– Houston BARC Foundation: The City of Houston’s BARC Foundation will use donations to directly benefit animals sheltered at, or otherwise cared for, by BARC. Donate online here.  

– SPCA of Texas: Donate online, here. Or call 214-461-1831 to make a donation over the phone.

Pray

I respect whether or not you are a believer, but I have personally found a lot of solace in prayer and trusting in our Lord. Please continue to pray for the Gulf Coast and the city of Houston Harvey Relief. Here is a passage that I’ve been looking at over and over again the last few days:

Have mercy on me, My God, 

have mercy on me, for in You I take refuge. 

I will take refuge in the shadow of Your wings until the disaster has passed. 

Psalm 57:1

*photo via: Christine Kang