Watchman's Cry Prayer Request -

Wildfires Threaten Hometown of Nathan Leal

August 21, 2015

I am sending out an appeal for prayers to all Watchman Cry listeners and supporters.

My home is located in the northern panhandle of Idaho. It is under threat from several wildfires. The forests are very dry because of the record-setting drought that is presently underway in a large portion of the western United States. (Which is also a residue effect of the present judgment that is taking place.)

The last time Idaho experienced conditions this dry was in 1910. That year, the region suffered the worse fire in its recorded history. It was called the Big Blowup Fire, and it burned through Eastern Washington, Idaho, and Montana. It destroyed 3 million acres and killed 87 people. The odd thing about that fire was it occurred on August 20-21.

The present fires are happening in the same time frame of late August.

Already, there are many fires burning throughout the area. Lightning caused most of them a week ago. So far, they have killed three firefighters and one civilian.

I am asking those of you who can, to please pray for the safety of my family, and also the brethren who live out here.

Presently, the closest fire to our home is west of us. It is called the Kaniksu Complex (Tower Fire) and has grown to almost 9,000 acres. It is about 15 miles away, (as of Thursday night, 8-20-15)

In the next 48 hours, the outlook does not look good. The forecast is expecting a weather front that will bring wind gusts towards the east. They will be 25 to 40 mph. If this happens, the worse case scenario may send the fire towards the populated areas of Priest Lake, Idaho and potentially towards the Priest River area. Also, there may be thunderstorms with the weather front that may cause new fires through lightning.

The mood in my town is very somber because people do not know what to expect. Already, there are outlying areas under orders to prepare to evacuate.

I spoke to a friend who is a local police officer and asked if he had any advice. (His home is also under threat of fire.) He said, "Prepare to walk away from your home and hope for the best, but also be prepared to lose it all. So if you can, grab the keepsakes in advance and be prepared to leave at a moments notice."

This is what we are dealing with right now here in our household. My wife Donna has packed some of our keepsakes (family photos) in few boxes. They are next to the front door, waiting to be thrown into our vehicle and leave if the evacuation order comes.

I had a meeting with our family, and the kids all know that an evacuation could happen. They also know that if the worse case scenario happens, our home could be lost.

But it is what it is.

Right now, it is obvious that something divine is taking place. The states of Washington and Idaho are experiencing an unprecedented amount of fires. So far, they are burning in approximately one million acres.

The air quality from the fires is beyond explanation. Ash is falling throughout the area. The smoke in the air is making it difficult to breath.

I took the picture below of the sun that shows how thick the smoke is. The photo below has no filter applied to it. The haze is not being caused by clouds, it is smoke from the fires.

Here is a closeup. The sun looks erie.

This is taking a toll on energy and strength. It causes the throat to hurt and the chest to burn. The farm animals are walking around lethargic. I suspect that I may lose some sheep. One of them is visibly ill.

But this is happening to everyone in the area. Lethargy, difficulty breathing, livestock struggling.

I suppose that these things are illustrating the judgment. I am noticing that while it happens around you, everyone witnesses the pain, including some of God's people who experience it firsthand.

I am watching history take place in my area. FIRES are burning because this nation burns for lustful things. There are many tears. Homes are burning. People are beginning to suffer.

Many are scared.

My family has the Lord...but it is still disturbing.

My prayer is Psalms 91. I am asking God to shelter my family under His wing. I believe that He will, but I still need His strength. It is not easy to watch these things take place around me.

If destruction or material loss should happen, I only ask that He carry us through whatever may occur.

So my friends, please remember Watchman's Cry and the Nathan Leal family in your prayers. We also need His hand to protect the local brethren.

In Christ,

Nathan Leal
Watchman's Cry

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