Trucks and trailers rolled out of Texans on Mission headquarters in Dallas Wednesday morning for support of California churches responding to devastating wildfires.
Shower/laundry units are on the way. A semi-truck load of supplies also left Dallas with masks, water filters, Tyvek suits, Bibles, cots and gloves.
A TXM team is already in California meeting with church partners to determine how best to respond. The churches have asked TXM to help establish on-site services, thus “creating a respite for people that don't have another place to go to get away from the stress, be encouraged and have someone pray with them,” said TXM Chief Strategy Officer Rand Jenkins.
“Their children will have a place to play,” Jenkins said. “They'll have their clothes washed for them. They'll get a hot cup of coffee and be able to talk to some of our volunteers and some of the local pastors.”
While TXM focuses now on helping churches provide respite for weary residents, fire recovery efforts commonly called ash out will likely emerge in the coming weeks. “As with the 2023 fires in Maui, authorities have to keep sites secure for a time,” said TXM Chief Mission Officer John Hall. “And, in this situation, fires are still blazing and battling the flames is a top priority.
“Recovery time will come, and Texans on Mission will continue to work with churches in how best to be of support,” Hall said. “As we like to say, we’re bringing
help, hope and healing now, and we will need to do so for quite some time.”
In a video for TXM supporters, Jenkins said: “Thank you for what you're doing. Thank you for the prayers you're sending this way. This is an amazing need, and you are an amazing group of people that come together every time.”