Dear Friends in Christ,
Last month, we shared with you how a careless camper started a forest fire that burned over 15,000 acres across the mountains in front of our house. The loss of vegetation has created another threat for our area-flash floods. For the past week, sandbags & “wattles” (long straw tubes) have been available for the “danger” zones. There are 3 levels and we are considered to be in the third and lowest level.
The fire was on June 20 and yesterday, on July 20 the first flash flood hit our home. We had seen the rain over the Peaks but it never rained around the house. Suddenly the water was flowing and there was little we could do. 3 of our neighbors, (next door and directly across the street from us) had water in their homes but we only had a little come in our closed-in front porch. Our barn was another story as our guest room and Sam’s saddle shop flooded. Right now, our acre lot is covered with debris and 4-6 inches of sooty mud! This situation will be ongoing until the summer monsoon season is over in Sept. Please be praying with us for the next several weeks.
We were thankful that during the fire, no buildings were affected and no lives lost. This time, however, several homes were hit and a 12 yr old girl from across the highway was swept away and drowned. Pray with us as we interact with neighbors for opportunities to share the Gospel and be a witness. Yesterday, we met several folks that stopped to offer their help. We had never met them before, yet they live within a mile or two on the other side of our neighborhood.
We do not have flood insurance for our home and were told after the fire that it would take 30 days before it could cover any damage. Some in the area have bought this insurance, but no-one seems to be covered yet. This, along with the threat of more flooding has some of our neighbors very concerned. So glad we have a God who is in control-all of the time!
This coming Saturday is the beginning of the Navajo family Bible Conference in town. Sam will be teaching the English sessions each night. Thankfully, the camp is not in a danger zone so shouldn’t be threatened with flooding, though we may very well deal with monsoon rains. Pray with us as folks travel in from across the Navajo Reservation and for the Lord to work in hearts throughout the week.
We also have a Fellowship for our IBIMI missionaries in early August here in Flagstaff. It is our turn to host the annual time together and we are looking forward to seeing our co-workers. Again, please pray for safe traveling for them and for a good time of encouragement for all.
Thank you all for your prayers and support.
In Christ,
Sam & Janet Grammer
