Mark Roye from SC San Antonio and our SCA assessment team has been on-site in North Carolina assisting partner ministries, visiting communities with unmet needs, and identifying churches that are reaching out to those in need.
On Sunday, Mark visited a team from one of our partners, CRI, that was gutting out homes in Wilmington that had taken in 24-30 inches of water. “It is always heartbreaking to see the contents of everyone’s home on the curb,” he commented. “In times like this, the love of God is so powerful. CRI does such a great job praying with and helping people in a tangible way.”
CRI is also serving hot meals and distributing cleaning materials and other supplies.
In Lumberton, Pastor Mike Pittman from Vertical Church was working with church members on the building where they just started having worship services six weeks ago, before Florence dumped 30 inches of rain into the facility. But Pastor Pittman’s biggest concern is his community. “I just want to be out helping people,” he said, noting there are many communities still underwater where people have not even gotten back to their homes yet. Even more flooding is expected in some locations as rivers and waterways are expected to crest later this week. SCA was able to donate gift cards so the church can help its neighbors with immediate needs and will be exploring other ways to help as well.
“This is what Somebody Cares is all about,” Mark explained. ”We want to come alongside the local church in times of need and empower them to reach their community.”
At the Vertical campus in Elizabethtown, where we donated $4,000 of gift cards, Pastor Brandon Meadows reports that numerous people have been helped. One woman has been living in her car with her 8-month-old baby and needed a special formula the church did not have in its distribution center. They were able to bless her with gift cards for the formula and invited her to join them for worship that morning. She not only accepted the invitation to church, but she also accepted Jesus as her Savior.
“I just want to thank Somebody Cares for the kindness you have shown us,” said Pastor Brandon. “Numerous stories will be coming in because we’re able to be the hands and feet of Jesus—because you have enabled us to show kindness to people.”
We were also able to help the widow of a fallen service man whose house was destroyed by fire when a tree blew over and caused an electrical short. The firetruck could not get there because of mechanical problems and bad roads. She is currently staying in a hotel room with her five children. “We gave her some gift cards,” Mark said. “I also got to pray with her and remind her God knows her pain.”
Special thanks to Mercury One, Midwest Food Bank, Matter, YWAM Houston, Hands in Service, partner churches, and each of you who have donated to Florence relief.
Your continuing support today will help us to reach even more people in need and reach more communities with the love of Jesus.
Thank you for caring!