by Dave Roberts
MIDLAND, MI – On May 19, 2020, two dams failed and two others were compromised along the Tittabawassee River system from Secord Lake down to Sanford Lake due to overwhelming rain received in the area. The dam break resulted in 5,000 flooded homes and caused 11,000 people to be displaced in Gladwin County, Edenville, Sanford, Midland, Freeland, and Saginaw. Miraculously, there was no loss of life during this disaster, however, many lost homes and belongings, and continue to wait for answers from the government and insurance companies.
In the midst of this great tragedy, and because of COVID-19 restrictions, more people were available to respond when the waters receded. A lot of the major cleanup work was done in less than three weeks – neighbor helping neighbor, arm in arm, hand in hand – and Christian disaster relief organizations responded including your Michigan Southern Baptist Disaster Relief team (DR).
Disaster Relief volunteers staged at Sunrise Church of Midland. A steady stream of volunteers from a variety of Baptist State Convention of Michigan (BSCM) churches worked for two weeks in the Midland, Gladwin, and Saginaw areas to serve families affected by the flood. 94 volunteers served between 15 to 20 homes. Each homeowner was prayed with and presented a Bible signed by the volunteers who helped them. Pray that God’s Word will do God’s work in their hearts and bring them to faith in Christ. Pray for effective follow-up work as those helped are revisited to see how they are doing.
I am grateful for the ministry of DR across Michigan and beyond. It is a ministry worthy of your support as you give through the Cooperative Program or directly to MI DR through the BSCM website. “Thanks” to all who came and helped from Grayling, Grand Rapids, Plymouth/South Lyon, Detroit, Grand Blanc, and other places – you have made a difference here in the Bay Area Baptist Association.
There is still a lot of work to be done for those who are rebuilding. Please keep them in your prayers. And remember, “Our help is in the name of the LORD, who made heaven and earth” (Psalm 124:8) NKJV.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
David Roberts is the Associational Mission Strategist (AMS) for the Bay Area Baptist Association. He is also an Adjunct Professor for Liberty University School of Divinity and Spring Arbor University. He is married to Melissa and they live in Midland.