Our story began the Sunday after Helene when I texted Rev. Joe Evans that we should try to help the folks of Western North Carolina, worst hit by the flooding. He responded that he would keep his eyes and ears open for opportunities. Rachel began scouring social media to look for ways to help, and quickly found a local friend that had her finger on the pulse of the relief efforts in Western NC. Within a week, we had collected a truck, trailer, and U-Haul full of supplies. Our first trip up to Avery County, NC was eye opening. It was clear what impact the storm and flooding had on these small towns. Entire communities in the backwoods and hollows were cut off from civilization without power, water, internet, and basic living supplies. It was heartbreaking to see how this natural disaster had wiped out entire communities.

Leading up to and upon our return from our first run to Avery County, we had FPC’s full support. With a directive from the Mission Committee, we started collecting supplies for a second delivery. With the help of Mission and Pantry leadership and other wonderful volunteers from FPC, we coordinated a donations drop-off at the church. Two Birds Taphouse, Glover Park Brewery, Christ the Redeemer Church, Pantry on Church, and several other organizations contributed to the effort which culminated in collected donations that filled an entire 26ft U-Haul truck within a week and a half. It was truly an incredible outpouring of support from the Marietta community that made our second run a reality!

Rachel and I had a plan to deliver our collected supplies to the Avery County FD distribution center in Newland, NC. We made the journey up to Western North Carolina, a trek that was quite harrowing at times. As we took a different route for the second trip, we encountered several washed out roads that were eroded down to one lane on steep mountain passes. It was unnerving, but we made it to Newland, NC by early afternoon. Upon arrival, we were greeted by the Fire Chief who informed us that they had no space to store most of the supplies we brought. They were able to take the heaters, propane tanks, gas containers, and some chain saw equipment, but nothing else. While the outpouring of support had provided Avery Co. FD with an abundance of supplies, they had nowhere to store the items that were not being immediately used. All of the facilities in town that would have been used for storage had been destroyed. Perishable items like food, diapers, etc. are subject to ruin in foul weather if not stored in an enclosed structure.

After we unloaded the items that the Fire Dept could accept, we had the dilemma of trying to find a distribution center to accept the remaining donations. Thankfully, Emmanuel Baptist Church, a couple miles down the road, had set up a distribution center in its sanctuary. While the volunteers at EBC were skeptical at first to accept an entire U-Haul truck full of supplies (again, storage is an issue), I spoke with the Mission Director, Lisa, and it was a “go”!

Within minutes, Lisa was on the phone with daycare centers, VFW halls, other churches, and distribution centers around Avery, Yancy, and Mitchell counties. She was putting the word out to come get supplies that they were lacking. Most of the supplies were spoken for by the time we unloaded the truck. The Holy Spirit was moving through this mission! While our original plan had taken a detour, the end goal was accomplished to a greater effect as the donations were going to a much wider distribution than just Newland, NC. I’ve been told my entire life that the Lord works in mysterious ways and this was a pure example.

This endeavor has truly been enlightening in many ways. Our FPC family has shown repeatedly how generous it is, which reassures me that we made the right decision in joining this church 50+ miles from home. We’ve also realized how close we all can be to our own reality being turned upside down. I think the most important thing that Rachel and I have learned during this process is that while our country may at times be divided, we band together to help one another when in need. Throughout the entire project, a hymn ran through my mind, “And they will know we are Christians by our love….”

Joshua Price, Mission Committee