VIM Trip - Asheville, NC

VIM Trip to Asheville, NC Psalm 46 1-2 reads, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” Here we are eight months after Hurricane Helene and there is so much devastation still left from the hurricane, but the Lord is near the brokenhearted and saving the spirits through this devastation. A group from Mt. Calvary UMC (Harrisburg, PA - River Valley District) and Faith UMC (Bellefonte - Mountain Valley District) are just returning from a Volunteer in Missions trip to Asheville, NC. As they worked to help the survivors rebuild they saw many things that showed them that this area is still in need of help. As you drive through, there are vehicles that were once functioning that are now junk cars. Many of the businesses that were once thriving are now no more.
One homeowner had many raised garden beds, a B&B cabin, a hot tub, green grass, and it is all now wiped away from the storm. This particular family had to climb up the mountain to escape the raging floods that enveloped their belongings. One of the neighbors of this homeowner now lives in a camper down the road, as his home was completely swept away. A trailer village was created by the community out of necessity.
While the team of six volunteers were on-site, they not only helped the survivors mentioned above, they also worked on cleaning out basements and painting walls of other survivors. Every home on this street was affected badly. One owner had just finished remodeling right before the storm. All that was left were the sticks and the roof with holes in it where they escaped. There is destruction everywhere but God's beauty in the form of a flowering bush brightens and gives hope through the destruction.The light of God shines through the cross everyday when the team returns from work. “There was no light on the cross, but it was lit up everyday to remind us that HE was there!"
Left to right Bottom row. Lizette Melendez, Kay Holtzman, Pennsy Waltman, Eileen Cramer, Cathy Goss Back row Patrick Gerety, Wes Harris, Hugh Cramer, Warren Harris, Mitchell White, Kim Clouser, John Beshore, Bob Ulrey, Dale Miller, Larry Lingle, Cindy Lingle

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