San Diego fire update!

As many of you know, we continue to be members of Tecate Mission, located near the area where many large fires have raged this past week, fueled by high winds. For us, it was not just “news”. Many of our friends were affected by this tragedy.

The “Harris fire” started about a mile from the mission house that Willa Edmonds calls home. She and her daughter and family were evacuated soon after it started on Sunday, Oct. 21. They went to the mission, which was evacuated shortly after. They crossed the border to find refuge at Mission Director Ron Hoffman’s home in Mexico. Four days later, they were able to return home to find the house standing with minimal burns to fencing around the home. The mission was not burned, although there were homes nearby on the Mexico side that were.

We had several friends in the San Diego area that had to evacuate, although their homes were saved. The mobile home park where we used to live had to be evacuated, as well. Our son Josh has several firefighter friends who have been working the fires. Sadly, he has a friend whose family home in Lake Arrowhead was in danger, too. As of this writing, we are not sure what happened to the home.

We praise God for his protection in all of this! Many churches and other organizations are still working together to help meet the needs of those affected.

Four people who lost their lives were found only two miles from the mission in an area that we passed almost every day. Also, another man who lost his life had attended the mission church several years ago. He died saving his son, who now has burns over 50% of his body. Please be in prayer for those hurting as a result of the fires. “When I am afraid, I will trust in you.” Psalm 56:2