Two rounds of river flooding in North Dakota and Minnesota affected members from three congregations in March and April.

First, some members of Ascension, Moorhead, Minn., and Shepherd of the Valley, West Fargo, N.D., had to evacuate from their homes and deal with water damage after the Red River crested at a record 40.82 ft. in late March, causing widespread flooding. Both churches were spared because of their locations away from the flood zone on the river.

According to Pastor David Bitter from Shepherd of the Valley, flooding is common in this area, but this was the worst the region has seen. The National Guard and community volunteers—including members from Shepherd of the Valley and Ascension—filled more than 3 million sandbags, using them to build and fortify dikes.

“It’s been really neat to see how people are getting together and helping each other,” says Bitter. “I sandbagged at some members’ houses but also just wherever I was sent. It doesn’t matter who they are; you just want to help them.”

In mid-April, 40 to 50 members of St. Paul’s, Valley City, N.D.—including St. Paul’s pastor Newt Trimmer and his family—had to evacuate the community because of a backed-up sewer system. The sewer system was damaged by the heavy machinery brought in to shore up dikes in the area to prevent flooding from the Sheyenne River.

WELS Committee on Relief has granted money to each of these congregations to help with cleanup work in those areas.

“I had many phone calls . . . from people all around the country saying that we have been included in their prayers. We’re thankful for that and thankful that the Lord has answered those prayers,” says Bitter. “We continue to trust that he will take care of us.”