Western North Carolina is devastated after Helene dumped rain and winds. Almost a week later, people were cut off from access to roads and communications. The extent of the damage is yet unknown, but people's lives, homes, businesses, and even roads have been lost. As life returns to normal in Gastonia, those in the mountains wonder if it ever will. 

Many efforts are being made to help people in the areas of destruction with their immediate needs, such as food, water, generators, fuel, etc. But we also know that recovery will take years, and some will never recover.  Our response has been to help other groups with the response.  The Global Methodist Church is still organizing itself and working on disaster response.  In North Carolina, our leadership is beginning to develop the plan for help with long-term missions to help our people who are in the lands to the west; these leaders were returning from the Convening Conference in Costa Rica when the storm hit, and so were delayed getting home and getting started on the mission effort.  Pray for them.

We will have opportunities to do hands-on work in the coming work, and I would like to do this. For now, we can donate supplies and cash to other efforts. We will be partnering with First Dallas Global Methodist to collect for a truck they are sending next week. There is an image with the needed items, one of which is required: manual can openers.  Drop them off at Christ by Sunday, 8/6, and we will get them to Dallas, or if you want, you can drop them at First Dallas directly. 

Pray for the people who are affected and let us be the hands and feet of Christ!

Peace,

Pastor Burt