voiceofthebride

We sent out a special alert this past month after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in Western North Carolina. See last post if you missed this alert. Thank you to those of you who quickly responded with funds to help specific needs. We promised an update from our “liaison” Carleigh. This is her report:

Hey, I’m Carleigh, aka the referenced ‘boots on the ground’ liaison for VOB. I wanted to share a little about myself, my experiences with Hurricane Helene, and how your support and prayers have meant so much to me and all of Western, NC. As mentioned before, I am a student at Appalachian State University. In my time here, this mountain town has become my home, this year being the first where I lived off campus, signed my own lease with a roommate, and was setting up my life for at least the next few years in Boone. That was until the hurricane. Helene struck my apartment, causing about a foot and a half of water to enter in and my roommate to be evacuated via life boat rescue, while I was stuck at work. My roommate’s car was totaled, and our apartment was deemed ‘condemned’ by the town of Boone. Yet, in this, we had multiple people offer their couches, their space, their clothes and company. I can say the day of the flood, once waters had receded, there wasn’t a better feeling than calling my parents, and hugging my friends who were safe and healthy. It was then I realized many didn’t have this privilege and that I was blessed beyond measure.

Helene struck Boone much harder than expected, and yet this town’s devastation pales in comparison to that of neighboring cities in these NC mountains. These places are not equipped to handle such rain and flooding, being stuck in between towering mountains with roadways risky to drive, and homes already isolated by landscape. My roommate and I wrestled with the duality of gratitude and grief. Gratitude for the fact we are college students with many options of what lies ahead, with salvageable items, and surrounded by Christ centered community. Our hearts overflowing with gratitude, yet also deeply grieving over the expectations for our next few years, and for our community who we watched lose everything. We watched first responders with children on their shoulders, elderly people in wheelchairs, entire families, getting evacuated from their homes.

We spoke with professors, church members, and friends who lost everything. These were people with families and roots in the ground here. And all of that had suddenly been wiped out. We wanted to help, we were called to help, we were living in the Philippians reality of the church living ‘others-centered’. We knew a fraction of what these people were feeling, being displaced ourselves. So we went out and volunteered we were able to minister to, speak with, and pray over individuals. We were hit with the reality that the deep physical needs of these people, were also sometimes met with the deep spiritual need within them as well.

With the funds you gave, we were able to begin the process of buying another keyboard for a college student who writes worship songs. She was not in Boone at the time of the flood because she had just had heart surgery. But her worship instruments were ruined in the flooding, as she lived on the back side of mine and Katie’s apartment complex.

We were also able to give a portion of your donations to a family through a church here in Boone. A large portion of this families’ house had been washed out from the flood, and their home was unsafe. These funds went to not only housing them temporarily, but also allowed them to have money in order to rebuild and repair their home.

This season, while extremely difficult, has been one full of rich lessons. I have found that there is really nothing besides Christ that satisfies, and all I could do in the midst of uncertainty, was depend on the Lord. I knew none of what was happening, or why it happened, but I had to sit with the truth that I know who holds it all in His hand, and I believe that He is Good and Sovereign. The affected areas still need your prayers, and support, but it has been a joy to watch the church go out and be the hands and feet of Jesus, showing people that they are loved. I am only able to be in high spirits and go out and volunteer, not in my own strength but because I know I have an army of people praying over me, supporting me, and lifting me up. So, I say this from the bottom of my heart with sincere gratitude, THANK YOU!

“…assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” Matthew 25:40

We, as I’m sure many of you, have been heavily burdened with the devastation from Hurricane Helene through the south. Of course it hits closer to home having had it “hit closer to home” in North Carolina. Our area was very fortunate in that we did not get anything near what was predicted. Our farm is certainly wet but completely fine. And most of our community is. BUT our community is heavily responding to the needs in the western part of the state where such catastrophic flooding has taken place. Supplies and helpers have been attempting to get as close as possible. It has been different for us in that, times past, we always were connected to resources; knew how to get ahold of them; knew where the greatest needs were to distribute them; and had our own teams that helped connect resources to those in need around Tijuana Mexico. And for over 17 years it was clear to make our mission; #1 help others help, #2 focus on the needs that come across our path verses being overwhelmed by the needs all around us. So the situation going on in this storm crisis feels familiar.

There are so many needs that one person or one organization could never meet. This is why it is so amazing that neighbors (local and afar) are helping neighbors. Churches are opening their doors and organizing teams and supplies. Companies are rallying their employees and customers. Farmer’s are gathering resources for needs they will personally understand. Law enforcement agencies are communicating. So many unified efforts are being

Maybe you, like ourselves, have been asking, “What can I do?” Some of you have contacted us, wondering if we might know specific ways to help, since we are in close proximity. Wayne has been communicating with a new believer friend who is also a Captain in one of our local county Sheriff departments. As soon as it seems wise, productive, resourceful, etc, we expect to put our trucks in to action and go to wherever we may be directed to go.

What can you/we do now? We have a family member who is a student at Appalachian State University in Boone, NC. Her own apartment was flooded out. But even in the midst of her personal struggles, she is helping others in need. She connected with Samaritans Purse to volunteer, even though her own living circumstances were yet to be determined. The need is overwhelming but we have encouraged her to listen for the Lords voice and follow His lead, as she tries to help the ‘one in front of her.’ In the past, we have proudly sponsored her in third world missions trips. She has a missions minded passion, training, and maturity. She is our VOB ‘boots on the ground’ in Western NC right now.

That being the case, we have been sending her support from VOB as a liaison, if you will. We would like to invite you, if you are interested, to do the same. We are in close communication when she is able to get signal, and she has made us aware of various and specific needs. This includes food, basic needs, shelter, and most of all a personal and Christ connection. There are so many levels of need, as these dear folks start to rebuild their lives. But loving encouragement from a kind soul and reassurance that others around the nation care and know they exist, are massively helpful at this time.

If you would like to help us, the various ways to send tax deductible donations through Voice of the Bride are at this following link.

www.voiceofthebride.net/donate

Thank you in advance and feel free to reply with any questions, Love Wayne & Carol

p.s. We will keep you posted as to when we personally get “boots on the ground” in this long rebuild effort.