Flood leaves pastor praising God for volunteers_53104

Posted: 5/28/04

	Larry Blackmon, pastor of First Baptist Church in Hearne, helped his grandchildren escape rising water by lifting them through a window.
Maria Rodriguez, temporary emergency child care volunteer from First Baptist Church in Magnolia, plays with a toddler.

Flood leaves pastor praising God for volunteers

By John Hall

Texas Baptist Communications

HEARNE–In two weeks, Larry Blackmon went from watching furniture float in his swamped home to singing the praises of Christian workers who helped him and his town after widespread flash flooding hit May 13.

The pastor of First Baptist Church in Hearne was one of many people affected by 17 inches of rain in less than nine hours. Reports indicate as many as 200 homes, including the First Baptist parsonage, were damaged in Robertson County.

A surge of water three feet high blasted through the town, saturating furniture, accessories, walls and carpet in homes, Blackmon recalled.

The pastor helped his grandchildren escape rising water by lifting them through a window to a man driving a tractor by his home. While he was saving what belongings he could, Blackmon was shocked when the water rose to the electrical plugs.

“Everything we had was ruined,” he said.

That afternoon the waters began receding, and help came calling in the form of Ron Gunter, regional associate for the Baptist General Convention of Texas. Gunter quickly assessed the situation as he talked with Blackmon and contacted Texas Baptist Men for disaster relief help.

Sam Rodriguez of First Baptist Church in Magnolia and a young child play with a toy in a temporary emergency child care facility in Hearne. Texas Baptist Men set up a day care facility there to allow parents free time to find relief services following widespread flooding throughout the area.

Volunteers with the Texas Baptist Men Gonzales Baptist Association clean-out unit, owned by Second Baptist Church in LaGrange, quickly arrived. In two days, they pulled up carpet and baseboards and knocked out sheetrock in 16 homes, including the pastor's house.

A TBM chainsaw unit from Harmony-Pittsburg Baptist Association served in Bryan soon after.

But ministry went beyond the houses. The TBM childcare unit set up a temporary day care that provided a safe environment for about 40 children in the wake of the floods, said Tracy Barber of First Baptist Church in Farmersville.

For Blackmon, the ministry had a personal touch. Several TBM volunteers spent all night separating and sorting rain-drenched pictures in ruined photo albums. Instead of preaching that Sunday, Blackmon encouraged TBM volunteers to give testimonies about how they became involved in this ministry.

“It's just amazing how hard they worked,” Blackmon said.

When Hearne residents discovered they did not qualify for federal aid, the BGCT was there again. Jim Young, director of the Missions Equipping Center, delivered forms for people to gain access to disaster relief funds from the Mary Hill Davis Offering for Texas Missions and designated Texas Baptist donations. The convention distributed funds to 24 families.

The initial shock from the flooding and disappointment about lack of federal relief has turned into determination for Blackmon. He is attempting to alert people to the seemingly unreasonable standards for federal relief in Texas.

In this state, damages must total $23 million in a community before residents qualify for federal funding, Blackmon said. In other states, the damages must reach much lower levels. The May 13 floods covered more than half of Robertson County but caused only $11 million in damages, leaving residents to fend for themselves.

Blackmon also has become determined in praising the work of Texas Baptists. He stood and told parts of his story during the BGCT Executive Board meeting May 25.

Christian volunteers played an integral role in helping Hearne residents through their ordeal, he said.

“I am proud to be a Baptist, and I am proud of … (the BGCT) staff,” he said. “They guided me through it.”

A lot of work still remains in the town. Parts of Blackmon's home need rebuilding. Many members of his church also face home reconstruction.

But Blackmon remains optimistic about the future of his family, town and congregation.

First Baptist Church celebrated 135 years in April, he noted. “We'll be around another 135 years if the Lord doesn't come. We'll make it,” he said.

Contributions can be designated “Disaster Relief” and sent to Texas Baptist Men, 333 N. Washington, Dallas 75246. Mary Hill Davis contributions can be sent to Woman's Missionary Union of Texas, 333 N. Washington, Dallas 75246.