DADE CITY, Fla. — There’s a query even the strongest believers ask.
Why does God permit dangerous issues to occur to good folks?
Contained in the Dade Metropolis residence the place Tommy Fitch lives, most individuals would rapidly ponder that query.
The flooring are nonetheless soggy. Furnishings is in ruins. Partitions and doorways are peppered with black mould.
“There may be a number of mould in every single place,” Fitch stated.
The house — and noxious odor of mould — will choke you up in additional methods than one.
“I’m a 46 12 months previous man, and I used to be crying for a pair days after I noticed this,” he stated.
The house belongs to Fitch’s mother and father. Months in the past, he retired, bought two properties in Cleveland, and moved again in along with his mother and father. He hoped to reside the remainder of his days there and finally move the household residence onto his son, 18, who additionally moved down not too long ago.
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Then, Hurricane Milton hit. Eight days after, the house and far of Dade Metropolis flooded.
“This was simply unreal,” Fitch recalled.
When close by rivers crested from Milton’s rain, it flooded a lot of the world and shocked households just like the Fitches.
It destroyed their properties and most treasured belongings.
In Fitch’s residence, even the household Bible was soaked to its core.
“, my mother — she’ll cry at some point, and I’ll hug her. And my dad’s as laborious as nails. It’s laborious,” he stated with tears welling in his eyes.
It could be straightforward to query God in a state of affairs like this, however Fitch by no means did.
In reality, he was in the midst of prayer when he obtained a joyful cellphone name. He obtained a name from Father Carlos Rojas, the pastor of the St. Rita Catholic Church in Dade Metropolis.
“God allowed this,” Father Rojas stated. “This has given us a possibility to reside out our religion and put our religion in motion.”
However the native priest didn’t name Fitch to supply a sermon. He referred to as to supply assist.
On Saturday, Rojas will lead a staff of volunteers to begin the method of eradicating injury from ten — perhaps 15 — properties throughout Dade Metropolis. Fitch’s house is on the listing.
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“We’ll must go inside and intestine all the things. Empty the, you recognize, furnishings, mattresses, home equipment, clothes, toys. Every little thing goes out. After which, begin getting the drywall, the carpets, the flooring,” he stated.
Proper now, Rojas wants further volunteers and donations of particular person protecting tools like masks, boots, and coveralls.
In case you’d wish to take part within the clean-up, you’re requested to report back to the St. Rita Catholic Church at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23. The church is situated at 14404 14th St. in Dade Metropolis.
You can too donate to the church’s effort at this hyperlink.
To Fitch, any assist represents an answered prayer — a purpose to maintain the religion and hope for a brighter tomorrow.
“It’s God. God took care of all of us,” he stated. “It’s going to be joyful.”
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