Trung Vu Learned to Lean on Others During Hurricane Harvey

“Naked I came forth from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I go back there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD!” (Job 1-21)

Although I find it hard at times to bless the name of the Lord like Job did, I could not agree more with the righteous man when I reflect on the events of my life in the past few weeks.

Hurricane Harvey divides my life here in the States into two parts. Before the storm and flooding, I thought I had achieved some miracle. I came to this country in 2013 with next to nothing.

By the grace of God and by working and fighting so hard, I made it to University of St Thomas in my junior year. This means so much to me, a non-traditional and first-generation college student.

Suddenly, everything changed the night of August 27. The rain damaged my family’s house and three cars. The ongoing aftermath of the hurricane is even harder to deal with. However, I learned something I had never appreciated in my life: letting others care for me. I believe the Holy Spirit inspires us to love each other in times like this.

A rain of goodness came in the form of friends, fellow churchgoers and charity organizations, regardless of beliefs, who rescued us from the water, helped us with cleaning the house and gave us food and clothing.

It has been particularly hard for me as a university student, but I am happy that I can go on with my studies now. I thank the university for letting me share my story and praise the Lord.

By Trung Vu, biochemistry major

To support UST students, faculty and staff impacted by Hurricane Harvey, make a donation here.