A brave 85-year-old woman and her 86-year-old husband saved their Pacific Palisades home from a raging wildfire using garden hoses.
In times of crisis, God provides supernatural strength that surpasses our human understanding. The story of Susan and Winston Salser reminds us that age is just a number when the Lord guides our path.
When Susan Salser looked out her kitchen window on January 7, she saw flames and smoke rushing toward her home. Instead of fleeing, she and her husband Winston chose to stand their ground.
They each took a garden hose and positioned themselves on opposite ends of their house. Working together, they fought back the flames that threatened to destroy everything they had built.
Their son Mark, watching the news coverage from his home in Seattle, feared the worst. “I thought I was going to lose them both,” he said.
When asked how his elderly parents managed to save their home, Mark summed it up in one word: ‘Tenacity.’ He added, “Both of my parents are really smart people and are adept at dealing with things.”
The Salsers’ home now stands as a beacon of hope, one of only three houses left standing on their street. Their home was spared not just because of their bravery but also from Winston’s God-given wisdom years ago.
Winston had planted nearly 100 live oak trees in their backyard, which created a natural barrier against the fire.
The Palisades Fire continues to burn across California with frightening speed. It has already destroyed more than 5,000 buildings and burned through 23,000 acres of land.
Despite challenging conditions, fire crews have contained 19% of the fire and continue their round-the-clock efforts to protect communities.
The situation forced 82,000 people to leave their homes. The Eaton Fire has caused even more damage, destroying over 7,000 buildings. This makes it the second worst fire in California history. These fires have taken 25 lives so far.
Winston suffered burns on his arms and legs while fighting the fire and needs a week in the hospital to recover. Susan stays in their home despite having no water or power.
“This is heaven for me, this location. I’m almost 85 years old and the remodel of this house was my job that I completed 12 years ago, and here I stay. Whether it’s as a human being or ashes I do not know, but so far it’s as a human being.” Susan said.
Their son Mark understands his parents’ choice, even if it worried him. “You build a life, it’s hard to imagine how you leave that,” he reflected. This mirrors the difficult decisions many families face during natural disasters – choosing between safety and saving their homes.
The Lord provides strength when we feel weak, courage when we face fear, and hope when situations seem hopeless.
Let us pray for Winston’s recovery and Susan’s safety. Remember the families who lost homes and loved ones in these fires.
Please pray for the brave firefighters risking their lives to protect others. If you live in a safe area, consider reaching out to help those who have lost their homes.
Remember, we serve a mighty God who can bring beauty from ashes and hope from despair.
WATCH: Elderly Couple Uses Garden Hoses to Save Their Home from Wildfire
Please SHARE this with your friends and family.
Video not working?
