When World Renew’s hurricane recovery volunteers respond to disasters, they often arrive with a plan. Yet time and again, God opens unexpected doors to serve families in ways no one could have anticipated.
In 2017, Hurricane Harvey brought catastrophic flooding and destruction across Texas, becoming one of the costliest natural disasters in U.S. history. Thousands of families were displaced, and many communities faced a long road to recovery. (National Weather Service; Brittanica). In the years that followed, organizations, volunteers, and local recovery groups continued working together to help families rebuild their homes and restore hope.
In answering God’s call for justice and mercy, World Renew has often seen God gently direct us along a different path than the one we originally intended. This is what Joanne and Fred discovered while volunteering in Dickinson, Texas, with World Renew Disaster Response Services.
Hurricane Recovery Volunteers Meet an Unexpected Neighbour
Joanne and Fred, along with 14 other volunteers, were repairing homes damaged by Hurricane Harvey. Galveston County Recovers (GCR), a local long-term recovery group, assessed the needs of families impacted by the storm and assigned Disaster Response Services volunteers to help rebuild and repair homes.
One Sunday, Joanne and Fred decided to take a break from their repair work and go for a walk. During that walk, they met Freddie.
As they chatted, Freddie shared how encouraged he and his wife, Rose, were to see volunteers in green shirts helping hurricane survivors throughout their community. He explained that their own home had suffered severe damage during the hurricane.
Although Freddie and Rose had managed to raise their home and complete some critical repairs, they did not have the financial resources needed to finish the work. Because the house remained unsafe to live in, they had been forced to move into a rented apartment. While partially government-subsidized, the apartment added another financial burden to their lives.
With heartbreak and frustration evident in his voice, Freddie asked Joanne and Fred for help and for prayers.
God Opens a New Path to Recovery
Freddie and Rose were not among the families assigned to the World Renew team. However, Joanne and Fred realized that their team’s repair projects in the community were finishing earlier than expected. They contacted Galveston County Recovers to ask whether support might be available for Freddie and Rose.
Through God’s grace, Galveston County Recovers had sufficient funds to help with repairs to Freddie and Rose’s home.
Just two weeks after that conversation, Disaster Response Services volunteers were hard at work. They replaced drywall and crown moulding, installed a new door, kitchen cupboards, counters, and a sink, and painted the newly completed walls.
With tears of gratitude and renewed hope, Freddie looked at the transformation and said, “Thank you, Lord!”
For Joanne and Fred, the encounter was no coincidence. They firmly believe God directed their footsteps that day, leading them to a family who needed encouragement, practical support, and hope for the future.
Walking Alongside Families in Recovery
Stories like Freddie and Rose’s remind us that disaster recovery is about more than rebuilding homes. It is about restoring dignity, strengthening communities, and showing God’s love through compassionate action.
Although World Renew is no longer accepting donations specifically for Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts, you can still help families impacted by future disasters across North America. Learn more about World Renew’s ongoing disaster response and recovery work through our North American Disaster Response program.
You can also make a meaningful difference by joining a volunteer team. Whether you have construction experience or simply a willingness to serve, volunteers play a vital role in helping communities recover after disasters. Explore opportunities to volunteer with World Renew and become part of future stories of hope, healing, and God’s unexpected blessings.
