A heart gift

HMC, K-9 teams are present with 28 families of Texas Hill Country victims at Kerrville remembrance event

For families who lost loved ones in the Texas Hill Country flood in July, Christmas this year will be heavy and empty.

But they won’t be empty-handed.

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Last Saturday, LCC staff and volunteers for Hearts of Mercy & Compassion and K-9 Comfort Dog ministries returned to Kerrville, TX, for a remembrance event, highlighted by the families getting to take HMCs home.

Each heart bore the name or names of flood victims — 139 total. 

LCC reached out to all the families and invited them to attend. Twenty-eight came. Some family members could not yet imagine returning to the Hill Country. Others needed, and wanted to be there. 

One shared, “I really must come, and I am glad you are hosting this – I want to remember.”

With about 200 people attending, the family members’ experiences from July and the months that followed were palpable. Some of the attendees had been in the rushing river themselves and had survived.  Some had waited weeks for news of their loved one being recovered. A few are still waiting. 

Emotions flowed as families — one by one — stood with the HMC and cross of their loved ones at the site of a memorial wall at The Coming King Foundation Sculpture Prayer Garden.

LCC President/CEO Rev. Chris Singer shared remarks during the ceremony: “My heart breaks for each and every one of you that faces this Christmas in a way that you never thought you would have to. We are heartbroken with you. We grieve with you. … The One that came in the manger made sure that something was done about that — that death wouldn’t have the final word. I pray that each and every one of you would receive that gift anew this Christmas, even in the midst of grief. I know that any of your anger, any of your sadness, all the emotion, the manger is big enough to contain it.”

LCC K-9 Comfort Dogs Martha (Bethany, Austin) and Persis (Christ The Redeemer, Tulsa) and their handlers stood by for all those who needed hugs and a moment to be still. LCC staff and ministry partners were with them to listen, for conversation, or to pray.

“God was present in the midst of such sorrow,” one volunteer shared. “Loved ones proudly stood by the crosses, each cross naming their loved one, whom they will never forget and for whom they grieve deeply. Yet, as they move on from the Garden, they will take the Heart of Mercy & Compassion with them.” 

Each HMC has the verse Psalm 34:18: “The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

For years to come, that heart gift will remind them of God’s promise — and for the support from so many who will remember their lost loved one.