Taking the step from training to going on your very first deployment can feel intimidating.
Following the flooding in the Hill Country this July, new Yellow Caps Todd Vician and Ann Avera headed to Uvalde for their first disaster relief deployment with Texans on Mission. We spoke with Vician and Avera about how they got involved, what it was like stepping onto a job site for the first time and why they continue to serve with TXM today.
Q: How did you first come across Texans on Mission?
Vician: “Last summer during the Fourth of July, I was traveling with some grandchildren and I saw the flooding in Kerrville. I also have a friend who lives in Kerrville. So, I texted him and asked him how he's doing, and he said they were fine — they were on higher ground. But he explained the devastation, and so we prayed for them.
“Then, just a couple of weeks later, the pastor at my church (First Baptist Church Universal City) organized a day for volunteers to go up and help with disaster relief through Texans on Mission. So I went up to Kerrville for the day and that's when I saw firsthand how Texans on Mission works and what they do. That was just a little over a year ago.”
Avera: “In October last year, one of the elders at my church (Stonebridge Baptist Church in San Antonio) is a part of Texans on Mission, and he had them come out and talk to us about the organization.”
Q: What eventually led you to become a Yellow Cap?
Vician: “I decided that day in Kerrville I wanted to continue volunteering with Texans on Mission. So, I went to a couple of trainings and got qualified. I got trained in the mud-out, ash-out and the feeding team.”
Avera: “Immediately, when the volunteers started talking about Texans on Mission, I knew I'd love to be part of this and help people out. I'm still able to get around pretty well and I just thought it would be a good mission for myself to help others.”
Q: For many new Yellow Caps, the process of becoming one is easy, but actually going on a deployment can be a little intimidating. Were you at all hesitant to go on your first deployment?
Avera: “I had gotten a couple alerts in the last year with things going on — fires and some tornadoes and stuff like that.
“I was very nervous at first. It took me a couple of days to think and pray about it and make that decision to notify the team I would go. I didn't want to drive too far by myself, but when they let me know it was in Uvalde, I'm very close to Uvalde, and I knew it's a way I could give back.”
Vician: “I guess there was a little hesitation, just knowing that you're setting everything aside for a period of time. And when you volunteer, you don't really know how long it will be. But [Texans on Mission] makes it really easy.
“For instance, I had to leave early when I was in Uvalde because I had a trip that I was taking. I left with a heavy heart, since it was a day early. But knowing they could be flexible really was helpful.”
Q: What kind of experience did you have going into this work?
Avera: “I knew the basics of what we were going to be doing, but I had no experience.”
Vician: “I had experience working in a no-frills environment and working on smaller construction jobs, but I quickly learned from [the volunteers] the best practices.”
Avera: “As soon as I walked into the first house, they gave me a hammer and they cut the line on the sheetrock and they started pulling it out. And then, once we got all that out, I was pushing out wheelbarrows and anything I could do to help. Each day, it seemed like I moved up to a different tool.
“I was so amazed by the team members that had been doing this for a while. They were so supportive and if I was struggling with something, they'd come over and say, ‘try and do it this way.’ And that's how I learned.”
Vician: “They were very helpful in saying we need to be cognizant of the emotions of the people we're helping, right? We helped one gentleman, Luis, and I think I spent a half an hour just talking and listening to his stories.
“One of our chaplains said helping them process is part of our responsibility there, as well — to help them from a physical standpoint, but also from a spiritual and emotional standpoint. We're here to be the hands and the feet of God, and sometimes that's through conversations more than it is through a hammer.”
Q: What’s something important you’re taking away from your first deployment?
Vician: “Sharing the Gospel is why we're here, and we can do that when we're available and willing to just follow, right? So that's what I think is one of the blessings of Texans on Mission.
“I had a lot of respect for our Blue Cap, Benny, and for the rest of the team who were there just supporting others. We got a lot done by just working alongside each other and encouraging each other. People just jumped in. It was really encouraging to see how much we could get done when we just said, ‘Here I am. I'm ready to serve.’”
Avera: “I was just so amazed at the chaplains. Once I got there and saw the emotions of the homeowners — how they were so distraught, and then the chaplains just took them under their wing and calmed them and spoke with them."
Q: What advice can you give to fellow Yellow Caps going on their first deployment?
Avera: “Just do it. If you can physically do it and you have it in your heart to help others, just step out and go do it.
“There's so many different units you can be on — the feeding team or the shower/laundry unit — there's something everybody can do. And when I can't do mud-out anymore, then I’ll move over to one of the other units that I can still do.”
Vician: “Be ready and talk to your coordinator a lot. When a call comes out, quickly assess if you can answer the call and if you have any limitations.
“The days are long, and there are times you'll be uncomfortable and working hard — no matter what team you're on. But the blessings overshadow any of the personal or physical challenges. Every Yellow Cap, Blue Cap and White Cap in the room are really invested in the mission of sharing the Gospel.
“I left encouraged and blessed. I don't regret volunteering at all and look forward to doing it again.”
Ready to serve?
Whether it’s mud-out, feeding, chaplaincy or something else, there’s a place for everyone here at Texans on Mission. Discover how easy it is to take that first step in becoming a Yellow Cap.