Wisconsin—On May 5, a man clearing his land let a small fire get out of control, escalating into a 4,000-acre forest fire in central Wis. and forcing more than 135 families from their homes. The fire tore through several communities, destroying 30 homes, 60 mobile homes, and other structures, but thankfully no one was injured.

Lorraine Clementi of the Wisconsin Rapids Church was one person whose home was in the path of the fire. She was bringing her granddaughter home from a doctor's visit in Rapids when, about 14 miles from her home, she could see the smoke and knew a huge fire was raging near her home. Immediately, she pulled off the highway and prayed that God would send angels to encompass her home, keeping it safe. Her property was not insured, the family dog was tied outside, and their cat was trapped inside the house.

After praying, Lorraine drove on. By the time she reached her driveway, the fire was less than two miles away and firemen and police made her turn and leave, without her pets. Evacuated to a campground, she could do nothing but continue to pray and phone her husband, Tony.

The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) stationed people at the campground to talk to the residents, and she was told that because of where her house was located, she would be one of the people to lose her home. As she and her family sat crying, she said she stopped and said, "Not my home! My home will be safe because I prayed and asked God to send angels to protect it and I have faith that He did." Her husband Tony, who normally does not attend church, said, "If that house is safe, I will be converted and I will attend church with you."

When the fire was finally extinguished, and the owners allowed to return home, the Clementis' house, cars, pets, and garage were all fine, with the exception of some melted vinyl siding on the garage, and the loss of trees. It appeared that God had indeed sent angels.

Two days later, Lorraine was accompanied by her husband Tony to church on Sabbath morning. They were both giving thanks for the blessings they had received.

Rhonda Whetstone Neibauer, Wisconsin Rapids Church media correspondent