A Letter of Hope to Paradise and all Affected by the Fires

How do I begin to express the sadness in my heart watching the devastation unfold, hearing hurting hearts cry out after the loss of a home and even a loved one. And you’re left with an aching heart for the community you once knew and cherished. I read about your stories of boundless love and bravery taking your family to safety. I hear about the minute-by-minute decisions made to drive away from the inferno surrounding you. You have lived hell on earth. I am so sorry.


I think about Paradise, California. And I’m reminded that our Father has promised us a paradise. A Garden of Eden where the waterfalls overflow and the fields whisper His name. Where the flowers abound and the breeze delivers a sweet aroma, and peace, love, hope and joy are endless. And so I say to you dear survivors, that there is hope. Tomorrow will be a better today. We can feel it on the horizon. And in the meantime, we pray for rain. We pray for a miracle to the God who has prepared a place for us no eyes can imagine. And when your heavy heart can't pray, we will pray!


And to all of us affected by the air. We don’t appreciate the oxygen we so desperately breathe and need until it becomes contaminated and toxic to our lungs. May we breathe in the oxygen of His truths and His promises: that if we pray He will answer. So tonight like never before, pray for rain. Pray that He would open the floodgates of heaven and send us rain. Believe in His promises. Believe in Him.

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Philippians 4:6

Earnestly praying alongside you,
Damaris U. Avila