Kerrville, TX - March 6, 2020. As storms moved across Kerr county on Wednesday, March 4 at 4:00 AM, I remember thinking, "it has been a while since we had rain this hard". The wind was up and while I heard rain-drops hitting my back-door directly, telling me that the wind was strong enough to be blowing the rain under the eaves with enough force to reach the door, it didn't seem to be any stronger than other storms we have had that didn't result in damage.

That comforting thought was short lived however and as the sun rose and the morning began, my phone sprang to life to tell me so. TLC's Director of Maintenance, Ken Folsom, reported to me that he was at Bunkhouse 2 and had cut the electricity and the gas off to the building. When I arrived, this was what I saw:

The roof of the back-porch was completely lifted and folded over so that it was laying over the front of the structure and into the front-yard. Roofing materials, beams, lumber and masonry blocks were scattered about, which also had ruptured the gas-line and electrical conduits that were on top of the roof. No doubt the quick action of our Maintenance crew prevented further damage as they moved to secure the site.

Figure 1. Ext View of BH 2	Figure 2. Missing Back Porch	Figure 3. Broken Telephone Pole

Later that morning, Williamson roofing sent a crew to raise materials to the grounds and tarp the site to prevent further damage from pending and continuing rain. Their speedy response and immediate assistance was much appreciated as TLC was preparing to receive 300 volunteers for our March workday at the end of the week.

If you would like to see video footage of my initial walk-through and inspection of the aftermath, please click here.

Every Summer is a privilege and a joy to operate but it would be disingenuous of me to suggest that operating a small city and the comings and goings and safety of some 4,000 people in the span of 6 months is not without its challenges. Certainly, this March-Storm has presented a tremendous challenge but with it, also opportunity. The opportunity that lies before us involves our telling the TLC story by more people to more people and how important our mission and message is to more than 1,500 children that will arrive on May 31, 2020 for the first session of camp. It is the power of that story and the invitation to band together during a time of adversity for the benefit of children and something larger than ourselves, that is the silver-lining in this saga.

I cannot tell you as I write this news-release, steps 1-20 that are going to be implemented to preserve operations in Bunkhouse 2 for the Summer of 2020. I can't promise that there will be a quick or easy fix for the building itself. What I can promise, is that this is not our first "storm" both literally and figuratively and I have been a privileged steward to bring resources to bear for children and witness to see how others respond and do likewise.

Storms are part of the story God in his wisdom has permitted within the chapters of our life's story and journey. To be sure, growth and maturity are often predicated upon our response to such events. However, when things do not go as we think they should, the question we must resist is, "Why this...why now? The "Why Question" is invalid and can invalidate our response when it matters most. The better question is, the "What Question" such as, "What has happened and what is my response, Now."

I have always known God to be faithful and while I do not know all of the answers at this time, I look forward to marveling at His provision as we do our part as co-laborers with Him in His work. As we find ourselves, T-minus eleven weeks and counting from Summer Camp 2020, I am borrowing from many chapters both in my own story and that of the TLC Story that tells me with trial and Invitations to Crisis, God is present and promises His provision. Indeed, God-sized problems require God-sized answers.

The below depicted photo of a full-rainbow over Texas Lions Camp's amphitheater was taken that same morning as storms left the area. If you are unfamiliar with that biblical story, the rainbow was displayed in the sky as a reminder for all times of God's promise to man - hope in the aftermath of a great storm. Likewise, if you are unfamiliar with the use of TLC's amphitheater, it is a forum to celebrate and commemorate the challenges overcome by more than 1,500 children per summer and a declaration, "that they need not face their challenges in life alone."

iPhone Photo: Courtesy Steven King, May 4, 2020

Children Can...With TLC ^TM

If you have a heart to assist with the build-back of Bunkhouse 2, please send your tax-deductible gift to Texas Lions Camp, Inc. designated for "BH-2" or to learn more, contact Stephen Mabry or Milton Dare by leaving a comment below, email or by calling TLC at (830) 896-8500. You may also donate online by clicking here.

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