A seven-year-old girl from Missouri has touched hearts across the world after describing how she prayed while being carried through the air by a powerful tornado that destroyed her family’s home.
Avalinn Rackley was among several family members caught in the devastating storm that struck the Midwest. Speaking from hospital, she recalled praying to Jesus while trapped inside the tornado.
“I was flying around in the tornado, and I prayed to Jesus to take care of me,” Avalinn said, a statement that quickly spread across social media and faith communities.
Family torn apart by disaster
Avalinn, her parents Trey and Meghan Rackley, and her sisters had taken shelter in an interior bathroom after receiving tornado warnings.
Despite their preparations, the tornado ripped through the house and threw the entire family into a nearby field.
While Avalinn, her parents and younger sister survived, the family’s eldest daughter, nine-year-old Annistyn, died from her injuries.
Remembering Annistyn
Family members described Annistyn as a cheerful and inspiring child who loved dancing, swimming and cheerleading despite living with a rare liver condition known as biliary atresia.
Relatives remembered her as a bright presence who touched the lives of many people in her community.
Following the tornado, rescuers even recovered her cherished doll from a nearby field, bringing a small comfort to the grieving family.
Community rallies around family
Avalinn suffered a broken vertebra and required surgery, while her mother Meghan sustained severe injuries, including brain trauma and multiple fractures.
The family’s story has drawn widespread support, with community members raising more than $1 lakh (approximately USD 1,29,000) within days to assist with medical expenses and recovery efforts.
As the family continues to heal, Avalinn’s simple account of faith amid terrifying circumstances has become a symbol of hope, resilience and courage during one of the most difficult moments of their lives.