Texas Division of Emergency Management officials, local emergency management and Hill Country long-term recovery groups gathered last week at Trinity Baptist Church in Kerrville for a tour hosted by Texans on Mission, showcasing TXM rebuild work through visits to local homes that were affected by the 2025 flood.
Director of Disaster Relief Phillip Ditto said he wanted to give officials the opportunity to connect with the survivors TXM has assisted, to hear their stories and to see firsthand the rebuilding progress our organization has accomplished.
Ditto emphasized the importance of building strong relationships, such as the partnerships with TDEM and local teams, when responding to and recovering from disasters.
“It’s the nexus of care and responsibility between the nonprofit, the survivor and the state, who has a legal responsibility to help manage the disasters,” Ditto said. “These kinds of visits allow us to strengthen this partnership and give them an opportunity to visit with survivors.”
The tour consisted of visits to three families and homeowners in Kerr County. The first stop took the group to the Aspra home, a property right on the Guadalupe River. There, Trissa Aspra greeted the tour group with two of her young children and told the story of how they lost their home.
The Aspras were living in a lovely 100-year-old cottage before floodwaters swept the house away, leaving practically nothing behind. In the aftermath, the family was faced with the daunting task of rebuilding their beloved home from the ground up.
For the first six months following the flood, Trissa said she felt as if her family had slipped through the cracks, unable to obtain assistance or materials from any of the organizations that had come to help her community. When TXM discovered the family’s need, volunteers assured Trissa she wasn’t forgotten.
Now, TXM volunteers have laid the foundation for the Aspra family’s new home and are working hard to complete it as soon as possible. Together, the tour group prayed with Trissa, blessing the home.
The next stop was Brian Olsen’s home, which is now practically complete.
As Olsen welcomed the group into the house, they were met with the scent of fresh lumber. Sunlight shone through newly-installed windows and working overhead lights revealed new cabinetry and appliances. The countertops still need to be installed, Olsen said, but he has already started moving his belongings back into the home.
The tour concluded at a home completed by TXM, where Michael and Debbie Dossey have now lived since December. As the group stepped through the door and circled up in the living room to hear the Dosseys’ story, they were met with the sight of a home once again filled with furniture, photos and belongings — some of which had even survived the flood.
The Dosseys expressed their gratitude to TXM for walking alongside them as they mudded out their home, rebuilt the house and began the process of healing.
Help families move forward
As TXM continues to rebuild the Aspra home, we could use your help. Through July and August, we are seeking construction assistance from volunteers who have experience in framing houses. However, TXM Rebuild will also provide onsite training for new framers.
Please pray for the Aspras as we continue rebuilding to get them back home as soon as we can.