“Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
-Romans 12:13
I immediately teared up when I saw this image pop on onto my computer screen yesterday:
I see so much more than a tired guy on a Tempupedic. I see precious and hardworking hearts. The ones finally getting much needed rest AND the ones who opened their doors and welcomed them in. Knowing that there are folks out there that love each other that well is so incredibly moving, ya know? People that jump in, all in, without a second thought, and help those in need because that’s really all that matters.
The destruction is beyond overwhelming. So many people in danger all at once. So many people distraught and displaced. So many people risking their lives for days on end. SO much to pray about.
I’ve been hearing that most of the folks who lost their homes didn’t have flood insurance, and I can’t even imagine how hard life is going to be for them moving forward. I mean, can you imagine?? Like, for real, play that scenario out in your mind for a moment, and think about what in the world you would do if your house (and maybe even your job or your child’s school) was gone because of flooding and you just had to start over…from scratch…somewhere else. It’s a sobering thought. 🙁
Sometimes things like this happen, and especially if we’re not physically close to the situation, it’s hard to know how best to help. But we can’t not help. The need is too great. So, I reached out to my Texan Instagram followers and asked them directly how we can specifically pray and which organizations would be best to support. Here were some of the prayer requests:
“Pray for the infrastructure, Layla. The asphalt and the roads and bridge. The Earth is so saturated and there is too much concrete here. Thank you for your love.” – @HollyMathisInteriors
“Pray for boats! My friend’s husband is deployed with the National Guard. They need flat bottom boats badly! Pray for those that are dropping everything and headed south to help. Pray for those working overtime, that they would rest when they can so they will be at their best. Most of all, pray that the goodness, God’s goodness, shines brighter than the sun! That even in all the devastation, that Goodness is what is spot lighted! Unity for everyone!” – @ThePaisleyLilyPad
“Please be praying for the men in my family as they will be on day three tomorrow of taking our personal boats out to rescue hundreds. We’re so proud of them but, I’ll be honest, it’s scary to watch them go each morning as well. Per authorities, they have to stop when it gets dark, but every night they know there are still hundreds waiting to be picked up. We have more family & friends than I can count that are either still trapped or have flooded homes/businesses. The road ahead is long & we pray the Lord will amaze us all with His mighty provision! Thank you, thank you for your prayers.” – @wilkins.6,, from NW Houston
“Need prayers for my department, Seabrook Fire. We’ve been at the station since Friday morning. Lots of fatigue, but we are working through it. Lots of people are displaced from their homes, we’ve been doing water rescues for people that can’t get out on their own. Thanks!” –@CourtsPretz
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And here are a handful of the organizations that were highly recommended for donations:
“ReachGlobal Crisis Response. The were formed shortly after Hurricane Katrina and have been in New Orleans ever since. They are near and dear to my heart. I have been serving alongside them for 10+ years.” – @TerahBullDesigns
“Amazing places to give: YouCaring.com/JJWatt and HoustonsFirst.org. Thanks so much for using your platform to help us here in Texas! Thankfully we are safe and dry, and our spirits are high, but goodness this city is in physical ruins.” –@SouthernFarmhouseDesigns
“CoastGuardFoundation.org is a great organization. They provide relief to the Coast Guard families that are themselves suffering total loss. Many people don’t know the Coast Guard members stationed in Houston all live in the areas most affected by flooding. So while they answer the call to rescue over 4,000 Houstonians, they leave their families behind to try to recover on their own. They could really use the financial help. My husband is retired Coast Guard and we have firsthand experience with this great organization.” – @DisneyTam
“Foster Village Austin has been working with Texas DFPS offices to see where the greatest needs are for children in state custody who have been displaced by Hurricane Harvey. They are estimating that over 2000 of these children will be moved to shelters and foster homes in Bexar County over the coming week. Many will also be coming to Austin and surrounding areas. These children are in critical need of basic necessities like socks, underpants, and diapers. Please consider donating items from the Amazon list that we have linked on our profile page. Donations will be delivered to us and taken directly to the children displaced by Hurricane Harvey. Tax deductible monetary donations toward this effort can be made through our website.” –@FosterVillageAustin
Another one that was mentioned a by a number of commenters was Samaritan’s Purse:
You can donate online HERE, and you can click HERE if you want to sign up to volunteer with them.
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I was also contacted by folks who shared info about some of the small businesses who are donating 100% of their profits to relief and recovery efforts:
“Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected by the hurricane. We’ve been inspired by the way everyone is coming together to help. We want to donate every penny of our retail profits through Friday night to Hurricane Harvey relief effort.” –@LucysInspired
“I’ve got an instant download sign I’m giving 100% of profits toward relief + recovery efforts.” –@PNPFlowers
“We are gearing up to send 300 blankets to Houston! If you would like to purchase a blanket, it’s not too late to help! Together we can help spread kindness one blanket at a time! And just in case you didn’t know, we are a 501c (3) Non-Profit that donates dollar for dollar, so 100% of what we receive goes straight to helping others in need!” –@Sky_And_Magic
“Shop is back open and ALL PROCEEDS are going to Hurricane Harvey victims. Help us love our friends who lost everything.” – @WoodShopFloral
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Last but not least, here are a few more links that you should definitely check out when considering where to donate:
To help children: Texas Diaper Bank
To help animals: Austin Pets Alive
To help those with medical needs and disabilities: Portlight Inclusive Disaster Strategies
To help the homeless: Coalition for the Homeless of Houston/Harris County
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I’m a home & lifestyle blogger (and human), so obviously when I see homes & lives destroyed, I care very deeply about using my social platforms to help the folks in need. Of course those are just a few of the ways we can get involved, there are SO many more, but I wanted to highlight a few here today in case someone reading felt overwhelmed by the enormity of the crisis and didn’t know where to start.
And to everyone affected by Hurricane Harvey- we’ll keep lifting y’all up in prayer and spreading the word about how we can all help. We love y’all!
Layla
My daughter married and moved to La. a year after hurricane Katrina hit the area. There was still so much devastation there and in the surrounding areas. This will take YEARS to recover. Bless you for this information!
Please pray for our first responders. Fire departments and emergency services crews have lost their fire stations and millions of dollars worth of firefighting equipment in the flooding (fire trucks, ambulances, rescue squads, brush trucks, hoses, tools, etc). I imagine like most other areas of the country, there are municipally funded fire departments, and even hundreds more volunteer fire departments in Houston and Louisiana that rely solely on donations and annual fundraisers to support their departments to purchase and maintain the fire trucks and ambulances needed to serve their communities. It will take a long time to replace this expensive equipment because there are no fire truck or ambulance dealerships where you can go pick out a replacement and drive it back to the station – they have to be ordered, and it takes months. It’s all so very sad…
Lifting up a prayer for the first responders right now, Monica. I can’t imagine how exhausted and overwhelmed they are, and to think about the amount of time and money it will take to replace that equipment… 🙁
Thank you for your prayers and this post! It means so much to those of us who are going through this crisis. Seeing the outpouring of love from all over is encouraging. You all are the truly the hands and feet of Jesus!
I am encouraged by the outpouring of love and service I’m seeing too, friend. We need to band together, especially during times like this, and I’m passionate about doing whatever I can to help from here. XO
Thank you so very much, Layla for this post. I will be going to these sites you have listed to do my share. I have been praying daily and it’s nice to have specifics to pray for now. You are a blessing.
Thank you, Layla for your heartfelt post. I live in Houston and the devastation is unimaginable. I can’t believe all of this is happening right outside my door, as I sit here with power and wi-fi and a dry house. You listed some awesome organizations who desperately need help right now. I thought you might be interested in this specific family – they adopted two kids from Bulgaria, both of whom have Down syndrome. They also have two biological children, a pig, and a 3 legged dog. They had to be rescued from their home by firefighters when the nearby lake flooded. They are a very cool family, find them on Instagram at @eicherumba. See here for their story and donation drive started by a friend: https://www.gofundme.com/4cgmmlk
I encourage you to check out the videos on Facebook of the rescue.
Thanks for the Texas shout out, Layla! Although Houston has the most widespread damage, we’re also keeping everyone along the coast in our prayers as they recover as well! In San Antonio we’re also encouraging everyone to donate blood and donating to the San Antonio Food Bank so that they can send supplies to those in need. It’ll be slow, but we’ll all get through this!
Layla,
Thank-you and bless you for sharing this post.
My thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected by this storm.
Blessings,
Penny
Wow Layla! Thank you so much for including my little ole sign in this fantastic list of ways to help + donate! I’m so inspired by everyone’s generosity and love during such a heartbreaking time! We love you Texas!! We support you! ❤️ Thanks again Layla! xoxo, Jess 😘
Bless you for sharing the organizations to donate to. I myself always support Samaritan’s Purse and sent an extra bit for this horrific event. God bless all those affected and the many volunteers and first responders.
I have read your blog for years and this is my first time commenting. As a native Alabamian who moved to Texas I want to say thank you for posting this and thanks for all the prayer. It’s great to see everyone coming together to help those in need. Thankfully my family wasn’t affected by the flooding but I know many others who were.
Thank you for the care you have shown us. I live in Houston, and it’s all so overwhelming. My home did not flood although the water came VERY close, but my parents and lots of other family members did flood. It’s heartbreaking to see the substance of people’s lives and treasured possessions piled up on the curbs as garbage. We will be working alongside them for weeks to come.
I will absolutely visit the businesses you recommended. Layla, since you are such an awesome t-shirt gal, if you will print that darling floral Texas on a shirt, I WILL BUY IT!
I’m in Smithville, TX, East of Austin, and had over 20 inches of rain, the system lasted and lasted. The wind gusts were unbelievable. I can’t imagine what it was like for my neighbors in Houston. My town flooded, but fortunately for me I live on “the hill” in Smithville and it ran off. If you’re curious about what Smithville looks like, check out Miranda Lambert’s “Vice” video. It’s a sweet old 2-stoplight railroad town. Speaking of Miranda Lambert, she has a pet rescue nonprofit foundation called MuttNation and they’re doing good work in Houston. I’d like to mention it as an option for support. They’re rescuing dogs and cats daily in Houston.