On Thursday, Vice President Mike Pence and Texas Governor Greg Abbott met with survivors of Hurricane Harvey in Rockport, Texas. Standing in front of what remained of the devastated First Baptist Church, both men gave words of encouragement to the 250 or so volunteers there to help the long process of rebuilding.
During the event, a reporter caught on video a moment which powerfully captured the faith and resolve of the Rockport residents:
Here’s a shot of the destroyed church:
In his remarks to the people of Rockport, Pence promised that the Trump administration is “going to stay with you every step until we bring Southeast Texas back bigger and better than ever before.”
But Pence did not just show up, shake hands and give a speech — he got to work.
Gov. Abbott likewise vowed to help Rockport rebuild and reminded residents that “the greatest power that exists is the power of God.”
“There is no storm that is as tough as the people of Texas. We will rise again and we will rebuild this town,” said Abbott, according to The Dallas Morning News. “It’s important that we remember that the greatest power that exists is the power of God. … It was the power of God that was able to pull people out of the water and literally to save them.”
Abbott also announced and signed at the event a state-wide “day of prayer” on Sunday, September 3. Here’s the full text of the proclamation:
WHEREAS, Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas coast on Friday, August 25, 2017, causing massive destruction along the Coastal Bend before moving up the Texas coast into Central and Southeast Texas resulting in unprecedented flooding and tragic loss of life; and
WHEREAS, Texans have remained strong throughout this ordeal, with neighbor helping neighbor by wading into the flood waters or sorting through wind damage to rescue fellow Texans; and
WHEREAS, the people of Texas are grateful for the outpouring of support and resources from around the country and around the world that have been sent to Texas to assist with the damage as we begin the process of healing and rebuilding; and
WHEREAS, throughout our history, Texans have been strengthened, assured and lifted up through prayer; and
WHEREAS, it is right and fitting that the people of Texas should join with their fellow residents and with others from across the country and around the world to seek God’s wisdom for ourselves and our leaders and ask for His merciful intervention and healing in this time of crisis;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, GREG ABBOTT, Governor of Texas, pursuant to the authority vested in me by the Constitution and Statutes of the State of Texas, do hereby proclaim Sunday, September 3, 2017, as a Day of Prayer in Texas. I urge Texans of all faiths and religious traditions and backgrounds to offer prayers on that day for the safety of our first responders, public safety officers, and military personnel, healing of individuals, rebuilding of communities and the restoration of the entire region struck by this disaster.