As Camp Mystic Flooded, Where Was God?
Last Week on The Michele Tafoya Podcast...
Asking for a friend…
In the aftermath of the horror in Texas, a dear friend emailed me with questions. She wondered what so many of us are likely wondering: How does one reconcile in both heart and head how so many young girls at a church camp, where they were learning to lead a life in alignment with God, were completely wiped out in such a horrific way?
In other words, where was God during all of this? Why did He let this tragedy happen? How could he abandon children who were seeking to grow in their faith in Him?
This question is so big. Answers seem impossible to find. The whole situation is mystifying.
Mystifying. At Camp Mystic.
Mystic is defined in Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary as:
a: having a spiritual meaning or reality that is neither apparent to the senses nor obvious to the intelligence
the mystical food of the sacrament
b: involving or having the nature of an individual's direct subjective communion with God or ultimate reality
the mystical experience of the Inner Light
I can’t imagine how the parents of these babies will move forward, though I’ve witnessed many people in similar circumstances do so.
You may have heard of Jonathan McComb, who lost his wife and two children to a flash flood in Wimberly, Texas, in 2015. His daughter’s body was never found. He now helps with search and rescue in Texas.
I have an aunt, Stella Tafoya. Her late husband, Cruz, was my Dad’s closest brother. Two of their three children died young. Her second child, Danny, lost his life to cancer just weeks before his third birthday. Her third child, Kenny, was diagnosed with muscular dystrophy and died at 18.
It wasn’t until I had kids of my own that I began to grasp what she must have endured. I wrote her a letter telling her how much I admired her for her strength and faith.
Faith, she told me, was the bedrock of her life. It remains so here in 2025. She posts scripture on Facebook almost every day.
Faith seems to be getting the people of Texas through their unimaginable grief. It may be the only way to find peace. And I can’t find anything wrong with that.
The Holocaust produced people of faith. I interviewed one such man this week. The attempted assassination of Donald Trump grew some people’s faith. I spoke with author Salena Zito about that. And Wildcard Wednesday was one for the eyes — not just the ears!
Straight Outta Auschwitz
Both of his parents survived the Holocaust. His mother was experimented on by Dr. Josef Mengele. Dr. Alex Kor continues to honor their legacies by leading annual tours to Auschwitz. It is from that site that he joins us to discuss rising antisemitism and the nomination of Zohran Mamdani. And his mother’s amazing story of forgiveness.
Here’s a clip:
Full episodes here:
Wildcard Wednesday: Winning Edition
Trump is winning. Democrats are growing more extreme. Anchors are revealing themselves. And outspoken critics are asserting themselves. This one should be viewed — not just listened to.
Here’s a clip:
Full episodes here:
Salena Zito
Journalist and author, Salena Zito, reveals her unique relationship with President Trump as she takes us through her new book, “Butler: The Untold Story of the Near Assassination of Donald Trump and the Fight for America's Heartland.” She was just a few feet from the stage where Trump stood when the gunshots rang out.
Here’s a clip:
Full episodes here:
You can buy Salena’s book here.