Christmas is a cherished time of year for Australians. However, for many the summer months bring back harrowing memories of storms, floods and bushfires. Nearly a year following the vicious storms and flash flooding on Christmas Day of 2023, many residents on the Gold Coast’s Scenic Rim continue the painfully slow recovery of their properties and livelihoods.
With the new threat of bushfires on the horizon, Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) chaplains and Samaritan’s Purse volunteers returned to the Gold Coast bringing the hope of Jesus Christ as they help residents—many who have been traumatised from the devastation they experienced—prepare their properties for the summer season. He is the only One who can heal their hearts and give them lasting peace.
Dave and his wife have lived on their property on Mount Tamborine since 2000; they had never experienced a storm like the one during the evening of Christmas Day 2023. “It was frightening, it made us feel like the world might be coming to an end.”
As volunteers worked throughout the day, Peter, a BG-RRT chaplain spent the day with David. It so happened they had both shared friends through the high school that David taught at. After day’s work had been completed, the team invited him to join their end-of-day prayer and presented him a Billy Graham Training Centre Bible, signed by each of the volunteers. He happily accepted both.
