Allen Jackson: Disaster Relief | Allen Jackson Now

July 18, 2025 | 22:2

Scott Turner joins Allen Jackson to discuss disaster relief.

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Allen Jackson NOW | Allen Jackson: Disaster Relief | Allen Jackson Now | July 18, 2025
  • Well.
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  • Good evening.
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  • I'm alan jackson, and welcome to nashville.
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  • A large part of the country is still trying to absorb
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  • The massive flooding in texas.
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  • Hoping and praying that all those who perished
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  • Will be brought back to their families for closure.
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  • It was a once in a century flood,
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  • The worst of it in the middle of the night and pitch dark.
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  • It's a real nightmare.
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  • Well, since that night,
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  • The airwaves have been full of humankind at its best.
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  • People working 24 hours a day to get all those involved
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  • To a better place.
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  • The damage is staggering across several counties.
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  • The only good news fact to report
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  • Is that the number of missing has gone down
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  • From the initial estimates.
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  • After enough of those who had left the area
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  • For safer ground
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  • Checked in with authorities
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  • To let them know that they were okay.
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  • But as with every new event these days,
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  • There have also been
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  • The predictable people pointing fingers, looking for weak spots
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  • And trying to put the blame on
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  • Someone not to their liking already.
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  • Well, for tonight,
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  • We're not going to give them any of our time
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  • Because we have two
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  • Prominent guests who are moving in a positive direction.
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  • Edward graham from samaritan's purse,
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  • Who we'll hear from in a moment.
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  • And white house
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  • Secretary of housing and urban development scott turner.
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  • Secretary turner was with the president
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  • When he recently traveled to texas.
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  • Welcome to our program, mr. secretary.
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  • Thank you.
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  • Alan, it's great to be with you, sir.
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  • We're honored to have you.
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  • The first lady was also on the trip
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  • When you toured the devastation and visited with
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  • Some of those who had lost loved ones.
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  • Listen to how the first lady spoke to them.
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  • We are grieving with you.
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  • Our nation is grieving with you.
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  • We just met with the wonderful families.
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  • We pray with them.
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  • We hug.
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  • We hold hands.
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  • They shared the stories.
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  • And i met, beautiful young ladies.
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  • They gave me this special bracelet from the camp,
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  • In honor of the all of the little girls
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  • That they lost their lives.
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  • Secretary turner, before we get to your announcement,
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  • Please share with us what it was like on the ground.
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  • Yes, sir.
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  • You know, that was a very, touching moment.
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  • And i'm so glad you played
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  • That clip of the first lady speaking.
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  • And in the room,
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  • You can really sense the sincerity of her heart.
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  • And she said, you know, we hug and we held hands.
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  • She was deeply, heartbroken,
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  • If you will, by this tragedy in central texas.
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  • And i'm so glad that her
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  • And the president came to see people face to face.
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  • You know, a lot of people see the president on the media.
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  • They see first lady in the media.
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  • But this was the real first lady, the real melania, the real
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  • Donald trump, common to love and to hug and to listen.
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  • I did a lot of listening.
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  • And so the first lady, she's a classy woman.
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  • She's a tender hearted woman.
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  • She's a tremendous leader and servant in america.
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  • And so that mama was not only a very heartfelt moment,
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  • But it was real and it was sincere.
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  • Well, mr.
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  • Secretary, as you know,
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  • Thousands of people have been displaced.
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  • They've lost family members, their homes and cars,
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  • In some cases, everything they own.
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  • But we're told us there are more than 900
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  • Fha insured mortgages in kern county.
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  • And you're announcing an immediate plan to help them.
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  • Please tell us about this new plan.
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  • Yes, sir.
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  • We're happy,
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  • To announce that we have a 90 day
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  • Moratorium on mortgages, fha, mortgages.
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  • And as you said, over
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  • 900 mortgages and impacted areas for families there.
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  • And, alan, you know, we went down to central texas,
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  • The people of texas.
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  • And i'm a native texan.
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  • I'm from texas, fourth generation.
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  • And to see the people of texas and the resiliency of people
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  • In that great state during this tragedy,
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  • And also the faithfulness of god, you know, in the valley
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  • Has been very encouraging.
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  • And so from this side of heaven
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  • To announced the 90 day moratorium
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  • On mortgages, the freeze on mortgages, and also,
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  • We have two loan programs here at hud
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  • That will help families to rebuild
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  • And to restore their homes and their families.
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  • We have our hotline here for housing counseling.
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  • One 800 call fha, one 800.
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  • Call fha, where people can receive
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  • Housing counseling and understand the resources
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  • That we have available.
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  • And so hud is there immediately.
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  • But also, alan, we're there for the long haul.
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  • And we understand here at hud
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  • Our mission and the people that we serve.
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  • And when catastrophe hits such as this, hud will be there
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  • To the end to help people, impacted to rebuild their lives.
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  • Well, you're obviously not waiting for the surge to be over
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  • Before creating this rescue plan to protect the people there.
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  • You've put a 90 day moratorium that prevents
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  • Any mortgage agents from initiating foreclosures,
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  • Including for those people
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  • Who won't be able to make their mortgage payments.
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  • Can you share with our viewers
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  • How that gives these folks
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  • Even more protection than they would have normally had?
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  • Yes, sir.
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  • You know, when a disaster such as this hits,
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  • The president declares it, you know, a major disaster area.
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  • And we made the announcement for the 90 day,
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  • Moratorium on foreclosures.
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  • This gives families flexibility.
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  • It gives families peace in knowing
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  • That they can concentrate on, you know, their loved ones
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  • Concentrate on recovering things that they've lost,
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  • Concentrate on.
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  • And even in this case, some have lost family members.
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  • Instead of worrying
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  • About how they're going to pay their mortgage,
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  • Or worrying about if lenders are going to foreclose
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  • On their mortgages.
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  • And so from our standpoint, it gives them that flexibility.
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  • It gives them a respite, if you will,
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  • And gives them time,
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  • To get their lives and their families
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  • And their homes back together.
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  • Well, i
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  • Understand you've
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  • Also got an online system going and live agents to speak with
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  • For those people who have nowhere to sleep
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  • Or no roof over their heads.
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  • What are some of the available options that they'll have now?
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  • And that's the number
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  • That we spoke of before, the one 800 call fha,
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  • And our housing counselors
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  • Are there to let people know what resources are available.
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  • Where there's vacancies,
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  • Where people can receive those, they need places to stay
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  • At that number.
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  • You can also, call a call hud
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  • Directly, and we'll have people that can speak to you.
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  • You can go online at hud, dot gov and see what we have
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  • As resources.
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  • But we want to do whatever we can to be a resource.
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  • I'm going back down to central texas personally,
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  • Here in the next few days.
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  • And so we're going to be available for people,
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  • And we don't want anyone to call or to look for hud
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  • And not be there.
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  • So you have my commitment and our team's commitment
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  • That we're available for the people of central texas.
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  • Well, there's another very important program
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  • Being launched to help get current homeowners
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  • Loans of 100% to rebuild their homes or to buy new ones.
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  • Some of both, i suppose, is needed.
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  • You said that they could also get
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  • A single mortgage to pay for both.
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  • What did it take to come up
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  • With such a broad plan in such short order?
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  • Well, you know, alan, we have wonderful people here at hud.
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  • People who actually care about
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  • The people we've been called to serve.
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  • People that care about the mission
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  • Under president trump's leadership.
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  • You saw how quickly
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  • He responded, how quickly secretary noam, responded.
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  • And others from the federal,
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  • Side of the government and also our state
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  • And local government from at hud.
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  • When the president declared this a disaster area.
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  • Our team was on it immediately.
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  • And so what it takes really allows for people
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  • To have a heart for the people of america
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  • And for people to care.
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  • And so we have tremendous programs here at hud.
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  • And so we're able to activate those, in a expedient fashion.
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  • Secretary turner, president trump is a man of action,
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  • And as a builder, he surely knows his way
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  • Around the issues you're dealing with now.
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  • Is there anything else
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  • You'd like our viewers to know at this time? yes.
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  • Thank you alan, i would say, you know,
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  • We have a president and president trump.
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  • And as you saw in the first lady, melania,
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  • Who actually care deeply about the country,
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  • We have an administration that cares deeply
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  • About every american person, man, woman and child,
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  • Regardless of race, color, tongue, creed, politics.
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  • And i believe when you have a leadership
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  • Such as that, that the country is on a great trajectory.
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  • And so i would encourage our listeners, you know, great
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  • Days are ahead and to continue to pray for our families
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  • In central texas, continue
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  • To pray for our president and our leadership.
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  • You know, the bible says,
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  • Blessed is a nation whose god is the lord.
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  • And so we want to continue
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  • To honor the lord in america and continue to,
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  • Give him his rightful place on the throne of our hearts,
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  • On the throne of this country.
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  • So i believe that as we continue to do that, that god's favor
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  • Will rest upon us. we have a lot of work to do.
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  • Not only in central texas, but across this,
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  • Great state to get our fiscal house in order
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  • To rebuild our country,
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  • To take inventory of the things that have been lost,
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  • But also to form the families
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  • And our country to restart businesses.
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  • And there's a lot of work, but i'm so encouraged
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  • Because we have a president who leads in such a way.
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  • We have an administration
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  • That cares and who leads in such a way.
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  • So you know what?
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  • Out of this great days ahead, much work to be done.
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  • But i believe our god is faithful.
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  • And because of that, i'm encouraged.
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  • Absolutely. mr.
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  • Secretary, thank you for your time today
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  • And for getting in front of the
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  • Efforts to help the people of texas.
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  • We would welcome you back on as things progress.
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  • Yes, i thank you. our.
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  • So the white house has acted quickly.
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  • So too has samaritan's purse,
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  • As they always do around the globe.
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  • Joining us in
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  • A moment is the chief operating officer, edward graham.
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  • I'll be right back.
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  • I'll be right back.
  • 00:10:08.002 --> 00:10:13.064
  • We're joined now by an old friend,
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  • The chief operating officer of samaritan's purse,
  • 00:10:16.000 --> 00:10:18.869
  • The tireless edward graham.
  • 00:10:18.869 --> 00:10:22.106
  • Well, you see disasters all over the world.
  • 00:10:22.106 --> 00:10:24.442
  • The flood damage in texas looks devastating on television,
  • 00:10:24.442 --> 00:10:27.978
  • But the cameras can only shoot so wide.
  • 00:10:27.978 --> 00:10:30.614
  • The authorities say the damage covered multiple counties
  • 00:10:30.614 --> 00:10:33.217
  • With water running 20 to 30ft above normal.
  • 00:10:33.217 --> 00:10:36.220
  • Maybe we start by just telling us
  • 00:10:36.220 --> 00:10:37.755
  • How this looks in person, as it compares
  • 00:10:37.755 --> 00:10:40.024
  • To the other tragedies you've witnessed up close.
  • 00:10:40.024 --> 00:10:43.094
  • Allen, thanks again for having us on.
  • 00:10:43.828 --> 00:10:45.696
  • I appreciate you
  • 00:10:45.696 --> 00:10:46.731
  • Highlighting texas and keeping it in the news.
  • 00:10:46.731 --> 00:10:49.867
  • You know, anyone that's gone through a disaster
  • 00:10:49.867 --> 00:10:51.635
  • And has lived or lost loved ones, lost family members,
  • 00:10:51.635 --> 00:10:54.238
  • It's absolutely horrific.
  • 00:10:54.238 --> 00:10:56.207
  • But in this case, there was just so much loss in one narrow
  • 00:10:56.207 --> 00:10:59.977
  • Area there along the river valley of the guadalupe river.
  • 00:10:59.977 --> 00:11:03.447
  • And if you've never been there, it's a beautiful location.
  • 00:11:03.447 --> 00:11:05.316
  • The hill country is gorgeous,
  • 00:11:05.316 --> 00:11:06.884
  • And that's why so many people were vacationing there
  • 00:11:06.884 --> 00:11:08.819
  • On july 4th weekend, went to have a,
  • 00:11:08.819 --> 00:11:10.721
  • You know, a fun weekend with family and friends.
  • 00:11:10.721 --> 00:11:12.923
  • And then you had these summer camps as a very well known area.
  • 00:11:12.923 --> 00:11:15.960
  • I was talking with some friends, the actors
  • 00:11:15.960 --> 00:11:17.895
  • From the christian music group,
  • 00:11:17.895 --> 00:11:19.130
  • And they've gone along there and sang along the river valley
  • 00:11:19.130 --> 00:11:21.065
  • Before at these different camps.
  • 00:11:21.065 --> 00:11:23.100
  • And so it's very popular there for people.
  • 00:11:23.100 --> 00:11:25.836
  • But that's why has so much children
  • 00:11:25.836 --> 00:11:27.605
  • Gathered in one narrow area
  • 00:11:27.605 --> 00:11:29.540
  • And the waters just rise so quickly there it's people.
  • 00:11:29.540 --> 00:11:32.777
  • If you've never been to hill country, it's a lot of rock.
  • 00:11:32.777 --> 00:11:34.879
  • And then when these heavy rains
  • 00:11:34.879 --> 00:11:36.180
  • And they're used to flash floods,
  • 00:11:36.180 --> 00:11:37.681
  • Just nothing to this magnitude.
  • 00:11:37.681 --> 00:11:39.550
  • So when they talk about the
  • 00:11:39.550 --> 00:11:40.451
  • Water rising,
  • 00:11:40.451 --> 00:11:41.819
  • People that have homes that have seen the flooding before,
  • 00:11:41.819 --> 00:11:44.955
  • But it's still 30, 40ft below them down in the river valley,
  • 00:11:44.955 --> 00:11:48.893
  • All of a sudden it's flood up to their homes.
  • 00:11:48.893 --> 00:11:50.628
  • They never expected this.
  • 00:11:50.628 --> 00:11:52.463
  • And it is unbelievable to see
  • 00:11:52.463 --> 00:11:53.964
  • With your destruction what water can do.
  • 00:11:53.964 --> 00:11:55.900
  • There's really no other force like it.
  • 00:11:55.900 --> 00:11:57.635
  • It is unbelievable.
  • 00:11:57.635 --> 00:11:59.069
  • And but this part of texas is hurting
  • 00:11:59.069 --> 00:12:01.071
  • And they need our prayers.
  • 00:12:01.071 --> 00:12:03.040
  • Well, samaritan's purse is better
  • 00:12:03.808 --> 00:12:05.342
  • Than any organization on earth and mobilizing volunteers.
  • 00:12:05.342 --> 00:12:08.712
  • Are you getting the help you need to get started,
  • 00:12:08.712 --> 00:12:10.948
  • Especially over such a vast area?
  • 00:12:10.948 --> 00:12:13.818
  • Yes, sir, i appreciate it.
  • 00:12:13.818 --> 00:12:14.885
  • We're in two different locations right now,
  • 00:12:14.885 --> 00:12:16.720
  • Working out of kerrville and san angelo,
  • 00:12:16.720 --> 00:12:18.689
  • And that's where we live in a local church.
  • 00:12:18.689 --> 00:12:20.457
  • We always work and partner with the local church.
  • 00:12:20.457 --> 00:12:22.793
  • Some of our volunteers will overnight
  • 00:12:22.793 --> 00:12:24.562
  • And stay there for a couple of days.
  • 00:12:24.562 --> 00:12:26.697
  • We're actually booked for quite some time on there,
  • 00:12:26.697 --> 00:12:29.233
  • But we need day volunteers or people that can come
  • 00:12:29.233 --> 00:12:32.102
  • And maybe
  • 00:12:32.102 --> 00:12:32.636
  • Stay in san antonio,
  • 00:12:32.636 --> 00:12:34.004
  • Drive in
  • 00:12:34.004 --> 00:12:34.939
  • For when we do our link up in the morning
  • 00:12:34.939 --> 00:12:36.407
  • Or in the afternoon and go work out and go work on these homes.
  • 00:12:36.407 --> 00:12:39.677
  • And this is where we muck out homes after a flood.
  • 00:12:39.677 --> 00:12:42.446
  • We'll go in and try to dry it out,
  • 00:12:42.446 --> 00:12:43.881
  • Pull the carpet out the flooring,
  • 00:12:43.881 --> 00:12:45.850
  • Cut up the drywall to the level where the flooding was,
  • 00:12:45.850 --> 00:12:48.886
  • And then we spray in.
  • 00:12:48.886 --> 00:12:49.854
  • The solution to prevent the mold coming in
  • 00:12:49.854 --> 00:12:51.422
  • Will bruise where trees fell on it.
  • 00:12:51.422 --> 00:12:53.457
  • We don't want more moisture coming in
  • 00:12:53.457 --> 00:12:55.426
  • And we try to get it ready for those that are.
  • 00:12:55.426 --> 00:12:57.928
  • We don't use contractors to come back
  • 00:12:57.928 --> 00:12:59.663
  • And quickly get back into their home.
  • 00:12:59.663 --> 00:13:01.432
  • But a lot of cases, what we're finding people
  • 00:13:01.432 --> 00:13:03.367
  • Don't have insurance, they're uninsured
  • 00:13:03.367 --> 00:13:05.302
  • Or they didn't have flood insurance
  • 00:13:05.302 --> 00:13:06.770
  • Just because either
  • 00:13:06.770 --> 00:13:07.905
  • They couldn't afford it or it's an area
  • 00:13:07.905 --> 00:13:09.940
  • Where no one ever expected a flood.
  • 00:13:09.940 --> 00:13:11.709
  • It wasn't a flood zone. that's how high this water came.
  • 00:13:11.709 --> 00:13:14.478
  • And so for those families, we're going to get back into homes,
  • 00:13:14.478 --> 00:13:18.048
  • A gift. we say it's paid at the cross.
  • 00:13:18.048 --> 00:13:20.384
  • It comes free.
  • 00:13:20.384 --> 00:13:21.452
  • We're also helping people that lost their cars.
  • 00:13:21.452 --> 00:13:23.954
  • Need a mode of transportation.
  • 00:13:23.954 --> 00:13:25.289
  • Imagine you're a schoolteacher.
  • 00:13:25.289 --> 00:13:26.891
  • Your husband say, was a deputy sheriff, and you lost your car,
  • 00:13:26.891 --> 00:13:30.628
  • And you lost your home, and you had a mortgage on both.
  • 00:13:30.628 --> 00:13:34.131
  • You'll never pay off that debt much.
  • 00:13:34.131 --> 00:13:36.166
  • Let's get into a new one.
  • 00:13:36.166 --> 00:13:37.301
  • If you didn't have the insurance.
  • 00:13:37.301 --> 00:13:38.769
  • So we're going to come in
  • 00:13:38.769 --> 00:13:39.703
  • And we're going to help families like this.
  • 00:13:39.703 --> 00:13:40.938
  • So we're going to be there for a while.
  • 00:13:40.938 --> 00:13:42.273
  • The cameras may leave.
  • 00:13:42.273 --> 00:13:43.540
  • Samaritan's purse isn't going any time soon,
  • 00:13:43.540 --> 00:13:45.910
  • But pray for these families.
  • 00:13:45.910 --> 00:13:47.578
  • Many may think they're forsaken or forgotten.
  • 00:13:47.578 --> 00:13:50.481
  • They're not.
  • 00:13:50.481 --> 00:13:51.582
  • They're loved so much that god sent his only son.
  • 00:13:51.582 --> 00:13:53.717
  • That's why samaritan's purse
  • 00:13:53.717 --> 00:13:55.019
  • And the billy graham evangelistic association
  • 00:13:55.019 --> 00:13:57.554
  • Go to places like this.
  • 00:13:57.554 --> 00:13:59.356
  • The billy graham association sends their chaplains,
  • 00:13:59.356 --> 00:14:01.458
  • And they're trained how to share hope during crises.
  • 00:14:01.458 --> 00:14:04.061
  • Many people have lost hope in texas.
  • 00:14:04.061 --> 00:14:06.130
  • We want them to know they're loved and not forsaken.
  • 00:14:06.130 --> 00:14:09.066
  • Let's go through some of the immediate needs food, water,
  • 00:14:10.167 --> 00:14:13.270
  • Medicine, people to comfort those who've lost loved ones.
  • 00:14:13.270 --> 00:14:16.707
  • What are you missing
  • 00:14:16.707 --> 00:14:17.808
  • And what can our viewers do to help even from afar?
  • 00:14:17.808 --> 00:14:20.844
  • Yeah, a lot of people.
  • 00:14:21.312 --> 00:14:22.279
  • If you're wondering how to get involved,
  • 00:14:22.279 --> 00:14:23.414
  • You can go to samaritan's purse.org
  • 00:14:23.414 --> 00:14:25.616
  • And they will show right there which you can pray about.
  • 00:14:25.616 --> 00:14:28.052
  • I looked at as a prayer list,
  • 00:14:28.052 --> 00:14:29.620
  • But i need volunteers coming from the long term,
  • 00:14:29.620 --> 00:14:32.022
  • You know, people trying to sign up right now.
  • 00:14:32.022 --> 00:14:33.791
  • But then cameras will leave.
  • 00:14:33.791 --> 00:14:35.025
  • Attention will go somewhere else.
  • 00:14:35.025 --> 00:14:36.627
  • Weeks, months from now, i'll still need
  • 00:14:36.627 --> 00:14:38.362
  • Volunteers coming, especially for the rebuild portion
  • 00:14:38.362 --> 00:14:41.365
  • Where we're going to be building homes.
  • 00:14:41.365 --> 00:14:42.566
  • We're also gonna be providing mobile homes.
  • 00:14:42.566 --> 00:14:44.601
  • Food and water is not so much an immediate need right now
  • 00:14:44.601 --> 00:14:47.638
  • As we see it on the ground anymore.
  • 00:14:47.638 --> 00:14:49.306
  • Right now, people are still grieving
  • 00:14:49.306 --> 00:14:51.375
  • And that's why they need their distance and their space.
  • 00:14:51.375 --> 00:14:53.577
  • They need prayer.
  • 00:14:53.577 --> 00:14:54.945
  • These families that have lost so much.
  • 00:14:54.945 --> 00:14:56.780
  • But there will need to be a chance to help rebuild.
  • 00:14:56.780 --> 00:14:59.283
  • That's why i need your volunteers engaged,
  • 00:14:59.283 --> 00:15:01.352
  • Your listeners staying for a while.
  • 00:15:01.352 --> 00:15:04.154
  • Samaritan's purse. we're not going anywhere.
  • 00:15:04.154 --> 00:15:06.190
  • I'll need you to check back,
  • 00:15:06.190 --> 00:15:07.358
  • Look on our websites and find how you can be involved
  • 00:15:07.358 --> 00:15:09.593
  • In these rebuild opportunities.
  • 00:15:09.593 --> 00:15:11.328
  • But again, the immediate needs are most will be met.
  • 00:15:11.328 --> 00:15:13.230
  • People in texas been very generous.
  • 00:15:13.230 --> 00:15:15.165
  • I saw texans out the next day
  • 00:15:15.165 --> 00:15:17.568
  • Helping their next door neighbors
  • 00:15:17.568 --> 00:15:18.969
  • Just get back in drying out. it's
  • 00:15:18.969 --> 00:15:20.871
  • Partnering with our volunteers because they sell us out.
  • 00:15:20.871 --> 00:15:23.273
  • Texas is a neat place. they love their neighbors. they're
  • 00:15:23.273 --> 00:15:26.377
  • Well, i know bridges have been damaged.
  • 00:15:27.177 --> 00:15:28.679
  • Power is out still in many places.
  • 00:15:28.679 --> 00:15:30.581
  • Cell service too.
  • 00:15:30.581 --> 00:15:31.915
  • Some roads have been destroyed.
  • 00:15:31.915 --> 00:15:33.751
  • What's it like getting around and how are you operating
  • 00:15:33.751 --> 00:15:36.286
  • With such destruction around you and your staff?
  • 00:15:36.286 --> 00:15:39.490
  • You know, you bring up a great point.
  • 00:15:39.490 --> 00:15:40.858
  • You know,
  • 00:15:40.858 --> 00:15:42.026
  • There's really only two ways in along the river valley
  • 00:15:42.026 --> 00:15:44.094
  • That you don't really cut over the mountains to get in,
  • 00:15:44.094 --> 00:15:46.030
  • At least to the guadalupe area.
  • 00:15:46.030 --> 00:15:47.364
  • Now there's other communities
  • 00:15:47.364 --> 00:15:48.799
  • Outside the river flow, river valley that did flood.
  • 00:15:48.799 --> 00:15:52.002
  • And so there's damage in places like that,
  • 00:15:52.002 --> 00:15:53.871
  • But there are places that will be cut off
  • 00:15:53.871 --> 00:15:55.406
  • For power and cell phone.
  • 00:15:55.406 --> 00:15:56.473
  • They've got some intermediate cell phone coverage.
  • 00:15:56.473 --> 00:15:58.475
  • And towers are were set up when i was there last week.
  • 00:15:58.475 --> 00:16:01.512
  • But traffic was taking a while, mostly because
  • 00:16:01.512 --> 00:16:04.948
  • They were still finding bodies,
  • 00:16:04.948 --> 00:16:06.417
  • And then they would have to
  • 00:16:06.417 --> 00:16:07.484
  • Shut down while they removed that brought family up
  • 00:16:07.484 --> 00:16:10.287
  • To the reception center.
  • 00:16:10.287 --> 00:16:11.789
  • And so that would shut down travis
  • 00:16:11.789 --> 00:16:13.357
  • So it can take up to an hour to two hours just to get into,
  • 00:16:13.357 --> 00:16:18.128
  • The immediate area the affected area.
  • 00:16:18.128 --> 00:16:19.830
  • Then you go up along
  • 00:16:19.830 --> 00:16:21.165
  • The river valley
  • 00:16:21.165 --> 00:16:22.232
  • And different roads and culverts are washed out
  • 00:16:22.232 --> 00:16:24.034
  • Depending where you're getting to.
  • 00:16:24.034 --> 00:16:25.269
  • They were having additional rain last week.
  • 00:16:25.269 --> 00:16:27.304
  • It would shut down recovery efforts
  • 00:16:27.304 --> 00:16:29.073
  • And they'd have to pull people out.
  • 00:16:29.073 --> 00:16:30.707
  • And there's low line there, underwater
  • 00:16:30.707 --> 00:16:32.743
  • Bridges, concrete bridges that go across the river
  • 00:16:32.743 --> 00:16:35.379
  • And you drive.
  • 00:16:35.379 --> 00:16:36.513
  • And when the water level rises with these recent rains,
  • 00:16:36.513 --> 00:16:38.715
  • They wouldn't be able to do that.
  • 00:16:38.715 --> 00:16:39.850
  • They had to cut the tree and remove those areas back.
  • 00:16:39.850 --> 00:16:42.152
  • So some areas
  • 00:16:42.152 --> 00:16:43.287
  • Were still cut off as last week,
  • 00:16:43.287 --> 00:16:44.955
  • But they're making quick work of it.
  • 00:16:44.955 --> 00:16:46.757
  • And there's a lot of volunteers.
  • 00:16:46.757 --> 00:16:48.158
  • And i'll tell you what, the national guard, military,
  • 00:16:48.158 --> 00:16:50.627
  • Local search and rescue, they've been working so hard.
  • 00:16:50.627 --> 00:16:54.364
  • But imagine when they find a little child
  • 00:16:54.364 --> 00:16:56.767
  • And what they're seeing, what they're doing.
  • 00:16:56.767 --> 00:16:58.068
  • I think about those rescue efforts.
  • 00:16:58.068 --> 00:17:00.104
  • They need our prayers, too. they've seen a lot.
  • 00:17:00.104 --> 00:17:02.172
  • They're tired, they're exhausted.
  • 00:17:02.172 --> 00:17:03.974
  • And then they see those scenes
  • 00:17:03.974 --> 00:17:05.476
  • Of those little children, those innocent.
  • 00:17:05.476 --> 00:17:07.444
  • I'm sure there's a lot of burden on their shoulders.
  • 00:17:07.444 --> 00:17:10.214
  • Well, you graduated from west
  • 00:17:10.848 --> 00:17:12.082
  • Point and spent many years on the special ops teams.
  • 00:17:12.082 --> 00:17:15.185
  • You found yourself back there
  • 00:17:15.185 --> 00:17:16.453
  • When the floods swept through that campus in nearby town.
  • 00:17:16.453 --> 00:17:19.756
  • I remember
  • 00:17:19.756 --> 00:17:20.991
  • You telling us how many people who made it through those floods
  • 00:17:20.991 --> 00:17:23.260
  • Connected with their faith
  • 00:17:23.260 --> 00:17:25.195
  • As you were feeding them and providing water.
  • 00:17:25.195 --> 00:17:27.798
  • That same thing happening in texas now?
  • 00:17:27.798 --> 00:17:30.801
  • Yeah, we i met a lot of homeowners and usually after
  • 00:17:30.801 --> 00:17:33.437
  • Disaster people want to know, hey, is god angry with me
  • 00:17:33.437 --> 00:17:36.840
  • Or has god forgotten me? has he forsaken me?
  • 00:17:36.840 --> 00:17:39.409
  • And for many people too, they might have grown up
  • 00:17:39.409 --> 00:17:42.012
  • In the church,
  • 00:17:42.012 --> 00:17:43.547
  • Or had, you know, had gone to church with their parents
  • 00:17:43.547 --> 00:17:45.883
  • Or maybe even walked away from, knowing and trusting
  • 00:17:45.883 --> 00:17:49.486
  • Jesus christ as our lord and savior.
  • 00:17:49.486 --> 00:17:51.421
  • And so a lot of times with these,
  • 00:17:51.421 --> 00:17:53.023
  • They're not going to want to
  • 00:17:53.023 --> 00:17:54.091
  • Necessarily talk about that right away.
  • 00:17:54.091 --> 00:17:55.692
  • But when they see the volunteers show up,
  • 00:17:55.692 --> 00:17:57.528
  • Someone they don't know, loving and serving,
  • 00:17:57.528 --> 00:18:00.063
  • They're going to be like, why are you here?
  • 00:18:00.063 --> 00:18:02.065
  • And then when we tell them, it usually just opens up first
  • 00:18:02.065 --> 00:18:04.835
  • They want to talk our jobs to listen.
  • 00:18:04.835 --> 00:18:06.570
  • That's part of the healing process.
  • 00:18:06.570 --> 00:18:07.905
  • I think after shock
  • 00:18:07.905 --> 00:18:09.206
  • And going through it is that it's
  • 00:18:09.206 --> 00:18:10.240
  • Just to listen to their story.
  • 00:18:10.240 --> 00:18:11.942
  • Listening always usually opens up questions to the volunteer,
  • 00:18:11.942 --> 00:18:16.413
  • But in many cases i see our volunteers.
  • 00:18:16.413 --> 00:18:18.515
  • They're the ones walked away
  • 00:18:18.515 --> 00:18:19.583
  • More blessed than the homeowner was.
  • 00:18:19.583 --> 00:18:21.552
  • It's a great opportunity. you don't get dirty.
  • 00:18:21.552 --> 00:18:23.754
  • It's hard work.
  • 00:18:23.754 --> 00:18:25.122
  • But to love your neighbor and to serve.
  • 00:18:25.122 --> 00:18:27.157
  • Many people want to know what they can do
  • 00:18:27.157 --> 00:18:29.092
  • And they're not a get.
  • 00:18:29.092 --> 00:18:30.394
  • They're not a search and rescue person.
  • 00:18:30.394 --> 00:18:31.962
  • There's not much you can do
  • 00:18:31.962 --> 00:18:33.530
  • Unless you want to come
  • 00:18:33.530 --> 00:18:34.631
  • Volunteer with samaritan's purse and come get dirty.
  • 00:18:34.631 --> 00:18:38.402
  • But we've had a great showing of volunteers again,
  • 00:18:38.402 --> 00:18:40.904
  • I said it before, i just need people engaged for a while.
  • 00:18:40.904 --> 00:18:43.774
  • They keep coming, especially during the rebuild portion.
  • 00:18:43.774 --> 00:18:46.810
  • Oh, edward graham, the
  • 00:18:47.277 --> 00:18:48.378
  • Country owes you and your father and your team so much.
  • 00:18:48.378 --> 00:18:51.715
  • You're always jumping in when the need suddenly arise.
  • 00:18:51.715 --> 00:18:54.418
  • Please remind our viewers how they can help right now.
  • 00:18:54.418 --> 00:18:57.120
  • Where to go to for that guidance.
  • 00:18:57.120 --> 00:18:59.756
  • Yeah. first, pray, pray for texas.
  • 00:18:59.756 --> 00:19:01.758
  • But you can go to samaritan's purse.org.
  • 00:19:01.758 --> 00:19:04.127
  • Find out how you can get involved
  • 00:19:04.127 --> 00:19:05.762
  • If you'd like to come volunteer at some point. thank you.
  • 00:19:05.762 --> 00:19:08.565
  • Well, thank you for your time today.
  • 00:19:08.565 --> 00:19:10.200
  • We're here to help you, edward.
  • 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:11.301
  • We won't forget.
  • 00:19:11.301 --> 00:19:13.203
  • Appreciate it. in a moment.
  • 00:19:13.203 --> 00:19:14.805
  • I'll have some thoughts to share as well.
  • 00:19:14.805 --> 00:19:16.640
  • Please stay with us.
  • 00:19:16.640 --> 00:19:23.999
  • Please stay with us.
  • 00:19:23.999 --> 00:19:28.352
  • On the hill country of texas is a beautiful place.
  • 00:19:29.386 --> 00:19:31.955
  • I've been there many times.
  • 00:19:31.955 --> 00:19:33.757
  • Tennessee and texas
  • 00:19:33.757 --> 00:19:34.725
  • Have been working together for a long time,
  • 00:19:34.725 --> 00:19:36.627
  • So this particular disaster seems personal to us.
  • 00:19:36.627 --> 00:19:40.797
  • You know, i'm grateful for samaritan's purse
  • 00:19:40.797 --> 00:19:42.699
  • And all the people on the ground and all the programs
  • 00:19:42.699 --> 00:19:45.002
  • That are trying to
  • 00:19:45.002 --> 00:19:46.069
  • Lift the burden of that tragedy from those people.
  • 00:19:46.069 --> 00:19:48.772
  • But i believe the answers
  • 00:19:48.772 --> 00:19:49.940
  • Ultimately begin with our prayers.
  • 00:19:49.940 --> 00:19:51.608
  • I'm going to ask you to join me in praying right now,
  • 00:19:51.608 --> 00:19:54.411
  • Not just to talk about it.
  • 00:19:54.411 --> 00:19:55.379
  • We want to pray. before we go. let's pray.
  • 00:19:55.379 --> 00:19:58.148
  • Father, i thank you for the promise
  • 00:19:58.148 --> 00:19:59.683
  • That you're close to the brokenhearted.
  • 00:19:59.683 --> 00:20:01.818
  • I can't imagine the struggle and the suffering
  • 00:20:01.818 --> 00:20:04.187
  • And the sense of loss among so many. comfort them.
  • 00:20:04.187 --> 00:20:06.923
  • Bring peace to them. guide those that are working.
  • 00:20:06.923 --> 00:20:09.326
  • I thank you that
  • 00:20:09.326 --> 00:20:10.360
  • You'll bring out of this tragedy a great victory,
  • 00:20:10.360 --> 00:20:13.096
  • And you'll restore those people.
  • 00:20:13.096 --> 00:20:14.631
  • In jesus name, amen.
  • 00:20:14.631 --> 00:20:23.995
  • Thank you for spending a few minutes of your day with us.
  • 00:20:24.406 --> 00:20:27.275
  • I'm alan jackson, and i pray you have a wonderful
  • 00:20:27.275 --> 00:20:29.878
  • Evening.
  • 00:20:29.878 --> 00:20:29.878