At 6:30 p.m. on Sunday, July 6, two days after catastrophic flooding claimed dozens of lives in the hill country, a small group of Jackson County residents gathered at the children’s park to pray.
The location was appropriate, considering how many of the victims were children. The water swept away campers, counselors, and an owner from Camp Mystic, a girl’s summer camp in Hunt. As of Monday morning 27 campers were among the death toll of 68 - a number that was sure to rise in the following days.
Standing in a circle, holding hands, 21 people spoke or listened, eyes closed, heads bowed.
Organizer Brittany Trujillo said it was “on her heart” to pray for the victims of the Guadalupe River floods.
“I thought, ‘We’ve got to pray,” she said. “There’s power in numbers and wherever two or more are gathered, God is there.”
Some asked for healing for grieving families. Others said hopeful prayers for the safe return of those still missing. Some thanked God for those already found safe. All stood together and did the one thing they knew to do in scary situations - pray.
Trujillo, whose own son would be returning from a summer camp across the country early Monday Morning, felt deeply that she needed to get some people together to talk to God.
“I wanted to make sure that people in Edna could come together and unite for these people that are hurting and suffering,” she said “it’s the least we can do. We may not be able to get there and help like we want to in person. But, prayer is just as, if not more powerful.”
