When deadly floods hit the Texas Hill Country, Mike Tracy grabbed his diving gear and drove straight into danger to help families search for their missing loved ones.
How can we live out our faith in Christ? There is only one way: love others as ourselves. When we see our neighbors in need and do everything we can to help them, that is the love God calls us to show.
Mike Tracy showed us exactly what this looks like when disaster struck his neighborhood.
Mike owns a gym in Lockhart, Texas. But when historic flooding killed more than 40 people, he became something much more.
Mike packed up his commercial diving equipment and headed to the disaster zone near Hunt, Texas. He never thought twice about the danger.
The floodwaters were pitch black and full of contamination. Mike could only see about six inches in front of his face underwater. He worked with cadaver dogs, volunteers, and officials for weeks.
Many times, he led other divers into tight spaces where the current was strong and debris floated everywhere.
His friend Wade watched Mike work day after day. “He has a servant’s heart,” Wade said. “He took charge. He brought all of his gear to help these families just to help. He didn’t expect anything.”
Mike used his own gas, his own time, and his own equipment. Some of his expensive diving gear got lost in the murky waters. But Mike kept showing up every single day. He never asked anyone to pay him back or give him credit.
Another volunteer named Paul saw how much the work affected everyone. “It’s traumatic,” Paul said. “When you see the devastation and realize what those families have been through, Mike was the one who stepped up.”
Wade and Paul knew Mike deserved recognition. They contacted Fox San Antonio’s Cash for Kindness program without telling Mike.
The station arranged to meet Mike at an airport hangar in Bulverde. Mike thought he was just going to a regular meeting.
Instead, he walked into a room full of people who wanted to thank him. Wade spoke first. “Mike, I just want to tell you thank you very much for all you’ve done,” Wade said. “You’re inspiring. You put your life on hold to help these families.”
Then came the big surprise. Fox anchor Ryan Wolf handed Mike $1,000 from the station and their sponsor, Air & Plumbing Today. But Wade had more news. He and his friends had collected another $2,000 for Mike. The total gift was $3,000.
Mike could hardly speak. When Ryan asked him what he felt in his heart, Mike’s answer was simple: “Love.”
Mike later shared his experience. “Everything that we’ve done was out of love,” Mike said, holding back tears. “And it’s been returned and that’s just a great thing.”
God sees every simple gesture of love we show to others. He remembers our deeds and blesses us in ways we can never imagine.
WATCH: Texas Flood Hero Receives Heartfelt Surprise
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