A thrilling and heartwarming retreat

A few days after the start of Hurricane Harvey, which is a once-in-a-millennium event, the patter of rain that once soothed my nerves actually made me fearful and worried. Every drop of rain stirs up my depressed and painful nerves.

incredible

The first day, August 25th. A big hurricane is coming... Hey, why is the warning sounded again? The children can't go to school and have a headache.

The next day, the city ten miles away from us was flooded! God, it looks like the big hurricane last time! The people in the city are so pitiful, here we go again. Well, I'll continue baking a piece of bread at noon.

On the third day, the house was designated an evacuation zone... I came to see, um, a voluntary evacuation zone. fine. Americans are very vigilant.

On the fourth day, the heavy rain continued: at ten o'clock in the morning, water accumulated on the road, and the small drainage ditch suddenly turned into a big river! what happened? Then where will the rain go? At twelve o'clock at noon, the water rose to the knees... Oh! ! ! ? ? ? At four o'clock in the afternoon, the water reached our thighs and spread over the lawn in front of the first door. Hurry up and block the door. Are you really going to flood? At eight o'clock in the evening, the water reached my waist and I immediately went inside. We started calling Shushu. Shushu’s husband Kenny asked us to abandon the car and house immediately and walk to a place where we could drive. He came to pick us up. I hesitated. It was completely dark. Should I evacuate at this time? what to do? Is all this real?

Shu Shu's home is located on a higher ground and is relatively safe, but there is deep water at the door, making it impossible to drive. Kenny suggested that we go as a family and he came to meet us on foot. But it was dark outside and there was waist-deep water. How could we get out with three children (the youngest was two years old)? It takes at least two hours to walk. My husband was hesitant, fearing that the situation was not that serious and would be a waste of trouble. After all, we have five people and two big wolfdogs. So I said I would consider it, but half an hour later, Shu Shu called me and said I shouldn’t think about it and pack my bags quickly! It turned out that Kenny was already on his way to my house when he met a kind passerby who stopped and asked if he needed help. After learning about our situation, he offered to drive him to pick us up.

I know this is the Lord’s will, and I can no longer have my own way. So I packed my luggage as quickly as possible. The children were pulled up from the sofa and started to change clothes and shoes in a daze.

▲Texas on August 31, 2017. The South Carolina Helicopter Water Rescue Team (SC-HART) conducts rescue operations in Port Arthur, Texas. Photography: Daniel Martinez, a member of the US Air National Guard.

water evacuation

It was pitch dark outside, and when I opened the door, it was pouring with rain. Looking down at the water overflowing in front of the door, a flashlight shone in the distance and it was Kenny walking toward us, or rather swimming, in the water with one foot deep and one foot shallow. No matter what I said, I held my third child, my husband held my second child, and Kenny held my luggage. I took one last quick look at the messy house, held back my tears, and plunged into the rain.

It was cold, but he didn't care. He only carefully explored the underwater situation with his feet, reminding himself not to fall. The water got deeper and deeper as we walked, and Kenny was very careful in front carrying the big luggage to explore the way for us, telling us that the next step would soon reach our thighs, and soon our waist... I have never had to be so careful with every step in my life, and this is the sidewalk I ride on every night!

After finally reaching the exit of the community, the water level slowly receded to the calf level, and we could drive. Where is that kind person’s car? The dark night was empty and I couldn't see anything. Maybe we delayed for too long and someone had something to do and had to go back in a hurry. There is still half an hour before the curfew (you are not allowed to go out on the streets from 10pm to 6am the next morning), and I am already very grateful... While we were thinking wildly, suddenly a beam of headlights hit us. light! It turns out that light really means warmth, hope, and salvation! He is there, patiently waiting for us with his simple promise. A neighbor saw us and ran towards us from home. He stretched out his hand and said, "Madam, please let me do something for you!" Then he held an umbrella for me and helped the exhausted third child and I in. car.

After the whole family got into the car, my husband closed the door for me outside and said, "You go first, I have to go home. The dog is still there, the door has not been blocked, and the furniture has not been dealt with. I will pack it up and go with you tomorrow." Meet you!" I knew I couldn't stop this stubborn man from feeling responsible for his family, but I seemed to have forgotten something. I knocked hard on the window, and a kind person helped to roll it down. My nose was sore, but I didn't have time to shed tears. Only the other party could hear me. The voices told each other to "pay attention to safety" and "watch the children."

Kenny was soaked, and so were the children, but no one complained or cried. The third child was nestled in my arms, and I placed my chin on top of her head. What are we doing? Are we really fleeing? It wasn't all peaceful the past few days, so why are we suddenly in such a situation? God, didn’t You say that you would no longer destroy the earth with floods? You must keep your word!

Soon, we arrived. It was only a few miles away, but the terrain was much less dangerous, but the water was up to our waists and we had to be dropped off a few blocks away.

▲On August 28, the daughter of the author Shanshan drew a scene of evacuation from her friend Shu Shu’s home. (Photo courtesy: Shu Shu)

It was still pouring rain, so a kind person drove the car to a place where it could no longer be driven and dropped us off. Shu Shu's daughter Sally, who is in high school, had been waiting for us in the rain without an umbrella. She asked with a sunny smile on her face: "Who should I hold?"

Finally, the five-year-old second child sat on the shoulders of Kenny, who was 1.8 meters tall. Kenny took the lead as usual and helped us find the way in the water. The second child was on his back, holding the umbrella upright with both hands, as if he was afraid of getting too low. I hit my uncle on the back; the twelve-year-old eldest brother and Sally, with their faces full of rain and smiling, lifted the luggage high together and followed closely behind; I held the third child in one hand and held an umbrella in the other. Go last.

The night was silent, except for the sound of rain. We relied on the light from the neighbor's front door to vaguely distinguish the road. Kenny told us every step he took whether it was cement or grass, a step or a sidewalk...

We walked very slowly, and every step brought out the sound of rushing water. As I walked, I started to cry—not sad, but moved.

▲Louisiana wildlife and fisheries workers pray together before going to Texas to provide rescue. Photo credit: Scott Mathews’ Facebook.

God's Angels and Refuges

I will never forget this situation in my life. My anxious and uncomfortable heart suddenly became warm and at ease, knowing that I was surrounded by love. This is the refuge, the refuge of God’s love. Yes, at that moment, standing in waist-deep water, I felt that I had entered God’s sanctuary.

I don’t know how long we walked, but just when everyone couldn’t bear it, we finally saw Shu Shu’s home, a home full of love.

It is now the fifth day, and I feel safe. Although I don’t know how long it will take or how many days it will take, but the rain has become lighter. My husband said that the water at the door had receded a little, but Shu Shu kept comforting me with God’s words.

Putting on dry clothes, experiencing this overwhelming love, and in God’s sanctuary, I began the road to recovery.

By this the world will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.

There are angels in this world, and angels are people who comfort and encourage each other and save each other.

The angel is the friend who wants to let us live in his house and move in with his friend.

Angels are those sisters who we haven’t seen for several years but invite us to take refuge there.

The angel is the neighbor who runs to me at night and holds an umbrella for me.

The angel is the stranger who drives us back and forth during the nighttime floods.

The angel is the Shushu family who insisted on rescuing us regardless of their own safety.

Angels are friends, brothers, and sisters from all walks of life who care about us and pray for us.

There are angels, love, and tenderness in this world, but sometimes there is too much dust and they are all blocked. And this flood has allowed beautiful things to appear again.

There are so many people to thank, and I cannot list them all here. Not only do I keep your friendship in my heart, but I also know how to send the same care, help and prayers to people in difficulty. Let love flow in the world.