“We vowed to do all the good we can. Just a week later, the flood happened. We were like … it’s time to start doing good.” When Kalob Thomas, 15, and six other United Methodist teens were confirmed this spring in Des Lacs and Minot, N.D., they anticipated a summer of earning extra money, learning to drive or just relaxing.

But the days of “sleeping, watching TV, hang- ing out with friends and eating lots of junk food,” as the lanky Thomas described it, were not to be. In June, the Mouse (Souris) River overflowed its banks, covering much of Minot, N.D., and the surrounding area with floodwaters and leaving a huge mess of soggy tree limbs, insulation, lumber, appli- ances and once-favorite toys.
Almost overnight, the youth had an opportunity to put their lessons learned — and their faith — into action.

Thomas and fellow confirmand Chance Fjeldahl, who lost his home in the flood, quickly went to work mucking and gutting their neighbors’ soaked homes. Thomas’ mom, Michelle, counted on her fingers as she named the people the two young men helped. Twelve families, plus Faith United Meth- odist Church, which sustained heavy flood dam- age, resulting in an uncertain future for the congre- gation’s beloved building.

By Barbara Dunlap-Berg, United Methodist News Service