It's Monday, July 7th, 2025.

Greetings and welcome to Denison Forum's Daily Article Podcast.

I'm narrator Chris Elkins, voicing today's daily article written by cultural theologian, CEO, and good friend, Dr. Jim Denison.

A powerful storm caused the Guadalupe River in the Texas Hill country

to rise 26 feet in 45 minutes before dawn Friday, washing away homes and vehicles. Camp Mystic, a

nearly century-old Christian camp for girls, was in the path of the flood. At least 11 of its young

female campers and counselors died in the flooding. Ten campers and one counselor from the camp are still

missing at the time of this writing. In Kerr County, where the camp is located, the flood killed

at least 68 people, including 28 children. Sheriff Larry Latha said yesterday. In total killed at least 68 people, including 28 children.

Sheriff Larry Latha said yesterday.

In total, at least 80 are dead, and many more are missing, according to officials.

I know there are tragedies elsewhere this morning.

From wildfires in Crete and California to another mass shooting in Chicago,

to a devastating heat wave in Hungary and China.

And I know that flash floods, like the one that swept through Central Texas, can happen anywhere

and are, in fact, the nation's top storm-related killer.

But this is different for me because it is personal for me.

Dick Eastland and his wife have owned Camp Mystic since 1974 and have been with me to Israel twice. He was one of the most loving, gracious people I know. When the flood hit, he died trying to save some of the children. A camp counselor said Dick was among the most selfless men in the

whole world. He was an inspiration to so, so many. He was a father figure, a comforting force in the

uncertainty of everything, end quote. A former camper added in a tribute to him, Dick was the father

figure to all of us. He was the father of four

amazing boys, but he had hundreds of girls each term who looked up to him like a dad. She added,

...