Texans on Mission wraps up response to Hurricane Beryl

BRAZORIA—Texans on Mission Disaster Relief volunteers completed their six-week deployment in the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, which struck the Houston area July 8.

Texans on Mission initially responded to the hurricane by providing mass meals for thousands of residents who lost power for an extended period.

Then, the bulk of the effort shifted to Brazoria, south of Houston, where a resident said “thousands of trees” had been uprooted. In that area, chainsaw teams from throughout the state and beyond cut trees and limbs for removal shortly after the storm.

Texans on Mission volunteers and others contributed 1,815 days and 15,532 hours in service to people in need in Brazoria alone, said David Wells, Texans on Mission state disaster relief director.

“That’s equivalent to almost five years of work for one person.”

Another 407 volunteer days were worked in the Houston mass feeding operation.

The teams also reported 14 professions of faith in Christ and 401 ministry contacts in the two locations.

Brazoria First Baptist Church and its pastor, Greg Smith, were “very good to us,” Wells said. “It was a very strong relationship.”

The congregation provided its building for meals and sleeping quarters for the volunteers. “They have a powerful ministry and powerful opportunity” in their community, Wells continued.

Seven chainsaw work orders remained when Texans on Mission pulled out, Wells said. Those were handed off to Brazoria First Baptist to be completed through their ministry.

Thinking more broadly of the Texans on Mission response to Hurricane Beryl, Wells said it “has been challenging, and yet our volunteers responded above and beyond normal expectations.

“They just kept at it, working to feed people, remove trees and share the love of Jesus in very practical ways.”

Because of Texans on Mission’s large network of volunteers and outside collaborators, it was able to coordinate deployment of volunteers and then rotate in new teams, he said.

“It requires a lot of logistical work, but we have both volunteers and staff who know how to operate this system in an effective manner.”

Every disaster is different and requires Texans on Mission to work with government entities in determining how best to respond.

“The level of complexity is high, but we have great people who have planned well and are also flexible in responding to each unique situation,” Wells stated.

The City of Brazoria issued a proclamation of appreciation for all organizations that helped respond, specifically noting Texans on Mission’s work providing free laundry to residents and assisting with tree removal.

“We, the City Council of Brazoria, Texas, wish to extend our sincerest gratitude and thanks to the countless people who helped during and after the storm,” the proclamation read.