Praying Hearts

07/07/2025

07/06/2025

🙏 💔 Gone But Not Forgotten: Camp Mystic Director Dies a Hero Trying to Save Young Girls from Texas Floodwaters

KERR COUNTY, TX — Heartbreak has struck the close-knit community of Camp Mystic as beloved director Dick Eastland was confirmed to have died while valiantly attempting to rescue campers from the devastating flash floods that swept through Kerr County early Friday morning.

Eastland, a longtime leader and pillar of the private Christian summer camp located along the Guadalupe River, is being remembered as a hero who gave his life trying to protect the young girls in his care.

According to social media posts and local reports, Eastland had rushed to the riverside cabins in an attempt to evacuate several campers as the river began to rise rapidly — swelling more than 26 feet in just 45 minutes after relentless overnight rainfall.

Witnesses say Eastland and a group of five girls were swept away by the current. They were found alive several miles downriver in Hunt, Texas. Tragically, Eastland succumbed shortly after the rescue, leaving behind a legacy of selflessness and unwavering dedication to the camp he loved.

“There is still around 20 missing girls. The stranded group was rescued. Unfortunately, Dick Eastland passed away after the rescue. He was a great man and truly cared for his girls and his camp,” one message posted to social media read.

Tributes poured in from across the state and beyond as news of Eastland’s death spread. One emotional post recalled his many battles — including surviving brain cancer and personal loss — yet always returning to lead with grace and strength. “He is forever an angel to me and those who knew him,” the post read.

The Eastland family, staff, and camp community are grieving deeply as the search continues for other missing campers. Dick Eastland is being hailed as a man of faith, courage, and love — a leader who laid down his life for others.

The thoughts and prayers of an entire state are with his family, the Camp Mystic community, and the families of the girls still missing. Dick Eastland died doing what he did best — caring for others.
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🙏 💔 Se fue, pero no se olvida: El director del Campamento Mystic falleció como un héroe al intentar rescatar a las jóvenes de las inundaciones en Texas

CONDADO DE KERR, TX — La unida comunidad del Campamento Mystic se vio afectada por la muerte del querido director Dick Eastland, quien valientemente intentaba rescatar a las campistas de las devastadoras inundaciones repentinas que azotaron el condado de Kerr la madrugada del viernes.

Eastland, líder de larga trayectoria y pilar del campamento de verano cristiano privado ubicado a orillas del río Guadalupe, es recordado como un héroe que dio su vida para proteger a las jóvenes a su cargo.

Según publicaciones en redes sociales e informes locales, Eastland se apresuró a llegar a las cabañas junto al río para intentar evacuar a varias campistas cuando el río comenzó a crecer rápidamente, alcanzando más de 8 metros en tan solo 45 minutos tras las incesantes lluvias nocturnas.

Testigos afirman que Eastland y un grupo de cinco niñas fueron arrastrados por la corriente. Fueron encontrados con vida varios kilómetros río abajo en Hunt, Texas. Trágicamente, Eastland falleció poco después del rescate, dejando tras de sí un legado de altruismo y dedicación inquebrantable al campamento que amaba.

“Aún hay alrededor de 20 niñas desaparecidas. El grupo varado fue rescatado. Desafortunadamente, Dick Eastland falleció después del rescate. Era un gran hombre y realmente se preocupaba por sus niñas y su campamento”, decía un mensaje publicado en redes sociales.

Los homenajes llegaron de todo el estado y más allá a medida que se difundía la noticia del fallecimiento de Eastland. Una emotiva publicación recordó sus muchas batallas, incluyendo la supervivencia al cáncer cerebral y la pérdida personal, pero siempre volvió a liderar con gracia y fortaleza. “Siempre será un ángel para mí y para quienes lo conocieron”, decía la publicación.

La familia Eastland, el personal y la comunidad del campamento están profundamente de luto mientras continúa la búsqueda de otros campistas desaparecidos. Dick Eastland es aclamado como un hombre de fe, valentía y amor, un líder que dio su vida por los demás.

Los pensamientos y oraciones de todo el estado están con su familia, la comunidad de Camp Mystic y las familias de las niñas que siguen desaparecidas. Dick Eastland murió haciendo lo que mejor sabía hacer: cuidar de los demás.

07/06/2025

Today is Sunday, July 14, 2025.
We can’t imagine what the families who’ve lost everything in the floods are going through.
Especially the parents still waiting for their children to come home—
God, only You understand that kind of pain.
Please surround them with comfort that goes beyond words.
Wipe away their tears and give them strength from Heaven.
Let them know: they are not alone.
"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD your God, he it is that does go with you."" (Deuteronomy 31:6)
If you’re willing to pray for them, put Amen and pass this prayer along.

07/05/2025

Praying for this family

TEXAS FLOOD TRAGEDY: One of those missing was 8 year old Sarah Marsh from Mountain Brook, a student at Cherokee Bend Elementary. It is confirmed that she lost her life in this flash flood. Please join me in praying for her family. 

From the Marsh family: “Our family is completely devastated by the loss of Sarah and her dear friends at Camp Mystic. This is a tragedy that no parent can prepare for and it will never be right this side of Heaven.

While we are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of love and support we have received, we request privacy as we navigate the unimaginable steps ahead. We continue to keep the fellow campers, staff, and families in our prayers - for their rescue and return home. The Marsh Family”

07/05/2025

Prayer request 🙏

We are sad to report that 9-year-old Lainey Landry from the Houston area is among the 23 campers Lt. Governor Dan Patrick said are still unaccounted for from the flooding at Camp Mystic in Central Texas. ABC13 reporter Brianna Willis ABC13-Brianna Willis is in touch with her parents, who are on their way to go search for her. They want everyone to know she is tough, sweet, and super funny. Prayers that Lainey and all the others are found alive! 🙏

We will have continuing coverage in our live newscasts and at abc13.com.

5:30PM Update: We have now confirmed 5 Houston-area girls are among the unaccounted for from the flooding at Camp Mystic in the Hill Country. We are respecting the wishes of parents when it comes to what we share here and on TV. Thank you to all who have messaged me directly with information to help us confirm the facts. We are doing our best to bring you verified info as soon as we have confirmed it.

07/03/2025

Prayer request

TODDLER HOSPITALIZED: This is 2-year-old Beckham Reed. He was riding his electric toy side-by-side when he was swarmed by yellowjackets and stung over 150 times. His condition remains serious, but his family remains hopeful and grateful for the small improvements. bit.ly/44qhMCM

07/02/2025

Heavenly Father,

I come before You with a heart overflowing with gratitude. Even in my weariness, I know that You are my strength. Even when the way forward feels uncertain, I know that You are my guide.

Help me quiet the doubts and fears that try to steal my peace. Replace my striving with a deep trust in Your perfect plan. Let me find rest in the knowledge that You are fighting for me, working all things for good, even when I cannot see it.

Fill me with Your joy that transcends my circumstances and a hope that anchors me through every storm. May I walk boldly today, knowing that Your love surrounds me, Your power works within me, and Your victory is assured.

In Jesus' name, Amen.