Through Waters Deep – Barre, Vermont

“Lightning never strikes twice,” is a phrase that doesn’t apply to Barre, Vermont. The city and the surrounding communities flooded on July 10, 2023, and then again on July 10, 2024. 

In July Ohio DR served 15 families cleaning up homes that had 12 inches of water and/or eight to ten inches of mud in the basements and crawl spaces. The water could be pumped out, but the dirt and mud had to be carried out in five gallon buckets. 

Ministry to an Atheist - Barre is home to many proud atheists. An SBDR team from South Carolina served Peter, a vocal atheist. His interaction with the DR team made a difference.

On Facebook Peter wrote, “Two gentlemen and a woman fogged our freshly mucked basement against mold. As it became obvious they were done, I approached them to thank them again and they said, ‘you’re welcome.’

“Then they asked if I would say a prayer with them and receive this Bible as an additional gift. He showed me the title page with their signatures and good wishes, which promised to pray for me in my recovery in the future.

“I could feel my default reaction to evangelicals rising in my gorge. A younger me wanting to belittle them for their belief in a vain Sky Fairy and a 6000 year old planet but, and maybe THIS is proof of God -- somehow I held my tongue. I said yes to it all. How could I not? They had just provided a key part of getting this house back up on its feet. We held hands in a circle on Hudson Avenue and prayed. 

... and maybe THIS is proof of God

“They never asked me about my beliefs. They never asked for a donation. They would have baptized my basement whether I had prayed or not. Unconditional love or service or something I don’t have a name for and thank God this godless heathen kept his mouth shut for once.”

Compassion ministry has an effect on all people. DR is there to serve, regardless of  beliefs or practices.

Ministry to Believers -  Barre is home to Vicky who is a believer. Vicky’s brother passed away in April 2024, and his home flooded in July. The water seeped under the foundation filling the basement with water and mud leaving a huge hole outside the house. Vicky called multiple organizations but no one responded. Then Ohio DR showed up.

We assured her we would dig out the basement and fill in the hole out front. The team got to work and over several hours removed the mud from the basement, one 5-gallon bucket at a time, and filled the gaping hole outside. 

Vicky started the day feeling discouraged because no one would help her. When we called her and said we were coming, she was excited. When the project was finished, she was so excited she turned up the gospel music in her car and danced in the front yard, praising Jesus for the answered prayer. 

Later that day she texted, “Thank you all again! Having an emotional moment and realizing this was the first time I felt taken care of throughout this whole tragic experience. I’m feeling an abundance of gratitude and relief. Thank you!”

I’m feeling an abundance of gratitude and relief. Thank you!

All people struggle through the effects of disaster situations. In Ohio DR we have the opportunity to serve believers and nonbelievers impacted by disaster. 

Thanks to funding from the Cooperative Program and the Ray Roberts Offering, Ohio DR is able to bring help, hope, and healing. Thank you, Ohio Baptists, for your support.