The group unites at St. John Divine Church in Houston to mourn lives affected by Texas Hill Nation floods.
HOUSTON — On the Church of St. John Divine, a robust show of unity unfolded Monday night, households, pals and former campers gathered to grieve and bear in mind the lives impacted by the devastating Texas Hill Nation floods.
Contained in the sanctuary, sorrow was thick within the air because the group got here collectively to honor the campers of Camp Mystic, which is a cherished women’ summer season camp alongside the Guadalupe River.
Many campers tragically misplaced their lives, whereas others stay lacking.
Ladies of all ages stood hand in hand, singing acquainted songs from Camp Mystic. Their voices, although heavy with emotion, rang with a deep sense of connection and power.
Abigail Hilgers and Khaki Groves mirrored on the great and located consolation in one another.
“It feels actually like good to have folks which are like going by way of the identical stuff as you and everybody is rather like they’re it is like, love you and like assist you thru these onerous occasions,” Hilgers stated.
Camp Mystic holds a number of the greatest reminiscences for Hilgers and Groves, however now, these reminiscences are shadowed by tragedy.
“Simply hold praying as a result of God has a plan for us,” Groces stated.
Hilgers stood beside her good friend Khaki Groves, each nonetheless processing the shock. When requested the way it felt to lean on each other, Groves provided a message of religion: “Simply hold praying as a result of God has a plan for us.”
For Shawn Gallagher, who spent 12 summers on the camp, the flood hit particularly onerous.
“Camp Mystic was, you realize, our joyful place. It was our protected place that we went to each summer season, the place we obtained to be women,” Gallagher stated,
Because the service ended, the group poured exterior, hugging tightly, whispering prayers, and holding on to one another just a bit longer.
For a lot of, Camp Mystic is not only a reminiscence; it is a spot that by no means actually leaves you.
