Franklin Graham Encourages California Homeowners

With the California wildfire death toll rising to 29 and damages surpassing $250 billion, hope is in short supply in the Los Angeles area.

But on Monday, Franklin Graham met with homeowners to talk, pray and lift them up during these dark days. Dozens of chaplains have prayed with thousands in the region in response to this tragedy.

“Our Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains are on the ground ministering to residents, firefighters and the entire community. Pray for these families,” Franklin Graham said on Facebook Monday. “There is still no power or water in much of the area impacted by the Pacific Palisades fire.”

Graham met residents in two of the most damaged areas, a sober experience of how little is actually left standing.

“It’s hard to imagine how quickly the flames engulfed these communities. Pictures just can’t adequately communicate the magnitude of the destruction,” Franklin Graham said.

“I was in the Eaton and Pacific Palisades fire disaster areas in California today. House after house, street after street, mile after mile of ashes, with only a few chimneys or charred remains left standing.”

Graham met one Eaton Canyon homeowner who was overcome with gratitude. Samaritan’s Purse volunteers had helped her sift through the ashes to find items of great personal value, including some jewelry and wedding keepsakes.

“I’m so sorry for your loss. This is a really rough thing to go through. It’s an honor to meet you,” said Graham, who then prayed for her. “Heavenly Father, sometimes we don’t know how to pray but we look at this home and ask for hope and comfort for this family.”

The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team, which was launched in the ashes of 9/11, goes into crisis situations to minister at a moment’s notice. Chaplains have a heart to comfort others in some the toughest times.
Franklin Graham greets Billy Graham Rapid Response Team (BG-RRT) chaplains who are ministering in the Eaton Canyon community. In this area alone, 17 people have lost their lives in the massive wildfires.
Outside their Mobile Ministry Center, chaplains provide a listening ear to one of the local residents impacted by the wildfires.
“House after house, street after street, mile after mile of ashes, with only a few chimneys or charred remains left standing,” Franklin Graham said as he described the scene in southern California.
Crisis-trained chaplains survey the unimaginable scene, where only bricks and stones were left standing after widespread flames.
The Mobile Ministry Center provides a quiet place for residents to talk to chaplains—and gives them an opportunity to pray with someone for their physical and spiritual needs.
BG-RRT is providing emotional and spiritual support to home owners, first , and Samaritan’s Purse volunteers who are helping with disaster relief in Jesus’ Name.