The Church Being the Church
Some of today’s post is rewarding to write; other portions are very difficult. I am going to give a promised update regarding hurricane Helene and the donations you have sent.
DSM/GH15 has already funneled over half a million dollars from you to victims of hurricane Helene. As promised, every penny sent to us for this purpose is being used strictly for hurricane relief; we take out nothing for expenses or overhead. Ceci and other staff members have spent many hours researching and vetting organizations. We are sending funds to those with boots on the ground; we are not sending any to government organizations. More funds and supplies will be going out in a day or so.
I want to share a firsthand account from a resident in the Swannanoa, NC area. It is painful to read and hear - probably not suitable for children - but real. Yesterday, we spoke with Mona in that small mountain community of about 5000. It’s not far from Asheville. She confirmed that the situation there is totally devastating.
Like so many, Mona has lost her home. Stranded for days on the mountain where she lives, she and many others have been forced to evacuate from their properties to safer areas. FEMA said they could place them in hotels, but the only ones available were over two hours away. Instead, she and many others in this community have chosen to stay, in order to help one another. Many of them, including Mona, are sleeping on the floor of her church, with whom she is working to give assistance to others.
The loss of life in their area has been catastrophic, over 200 deaths thus far and the number is climbing steadily. Mona told us that everyone in their church has lost someone. There are still hundreds of people missing. FEMA is currently in the area with cadaver dogs, trying to find the missing. She stated that even before FEMA arrived, bodies were washing up on the riverbank as the water receded. Before she was evacuated, Mona had three people wash ashore from the river by her home. Her church has been searching for people and this morning found the body of a toddler in a tree - they have yet to find the parents. Among the bodies found thus far are babies, children, young and old.
This morning, Mona and her sister, who is a nurse, rode a 4-wheeler up the mountain to do a wellness check on an elderly couple. The couple’s children had notified the church that they couldn’t reach their parents. When Mona and her sister arrived, one of the parents was still alive, the other had passed away. They had no choice but to leave behind the one who had passed away in order to evacuate the other to safety. The trauma and loss generated by this apocalyptic flood is unimaginable. All of us at DSM/GH15 who heard these details yesterday were overcome with grief. Tears flowed.
The people in this community need EVERYTHING: food, water, baby food, formula, diapers, feminine products, soap, clothing, blankets, cots, water filters, pet food, cat litter, folding tables, shelving, ATV’s - everything imaginable.
There is currently access by car to parts of the town and the church, which is how they are getting some supplies. The roads into the mountains and other parts of town are impassible. And with winter approaching, many of them have been told they will not have power until January!
Mona specifically asked for prayer and welcomed whatever donations we had—they are grateful for everything.
We are wiring funds to the church, which has become a staging place for supplies. We are also taking an enclosed trailer and a couple of open ones, filled with supplies such as those mentioned above. They will also be carrying 2 ATV’s, shovels, rakes, ladders, propane heaters, backpacks, generators, sleeping bags, and more. Some of our staff members, including Ceci, are purchasing supplies as I record this.
Help spread the word that the victims of this hurricane desperately need assistance. And another MASSIVE and historic hurricane is headed for Florida, slated to arrive Wednesday night. Pray for protection for those in the path of this storm.
In closing, I want to mention two Scripture references. Proverbs 19:17 (TPT) tells us, “Every time you give to the poor you make a loan to the Lord. Don’t worry—you’ll be repaid in full for all the good you’ve done.” The second reference is regarding a man named Cornelius, mentioned in Acts 10:
“…a devout man of extraordinary character who worshiped God and prayed regularly, together with all his family. He also had a heart for the poor and gave generously to help them. One afternoon about three o’clock, he had an open vision and saw the angel of God appear right in front of him, calling out his name, ‘Cornelius!’
“Startled, he was overcome with fear by the sight of the angel. He asked, ‘What do you want, Lord?’
“The angel said, ‘All of your prayers and your generosity to the poor have ascended before God as an eternal offering.’” (Acts 10:2-4 TPT)
Because of Cornelius’ prayers and generosity, his home was chosen as the birthplace of one of the most significant spiritual movements in all of history: the gospel being preached to the non-Jewish world. The earth was forever changed in Cornelius’ living room.
God appreciates it when we give to those in need! Thank you for what you have done and are doing!
Pray with me:
Father, the world is reeling - we are indeed in perilous times (2 Timothy 3:1). Wars, corruption at the highest levels, violence, gross immorality, weather-related disasters, and so much more. We pray for peace to rule the hearts of believers, especially intercessors; we need them to remain positioned in prayer and anchored in faith. As many things around us shake, we will remain steadfast, knowing that You and your Kingdom are unshakable. And as we remain faithful in prayer, Your purposes in our lives will be fulfilled.
We pray for a deluge of help to flow from Your people to those in need. Awaken compassion in the church, touch the hearts of millions of Americans to get involved. And we also know that meeting the natural needs of those hurting is not only Christ-like, it will open their hearts to receive the gospel. Use these crises as part of the great spiritual awakening that has begun.
And finally, we ask for mercy to those on the Florida coast. Do not allow the predicted devastation from hurricane Milton. Intervene, we pray, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Our decree:
We decree that the Lord will use the suffering of people in this season to bring forth good.
If you would like to contribute to DSM’s Hurricane Helene Relief Fund, click here.
Click on the link below to watch the full video.
I was told by a young lady from Ashville that the 200 deaths being reported may be factually correct for ONE community, but the actual numbers of lost lives are not being reported!
Amen! Great message! Yes, these hurricanes can bring a lot of pain, sorrow and death to the families in these areas! Like I said before we got hit by Harvey a few years back and Rita back in 2004. WE stayed for Harvey, we did not have much choice. It hit us early that morning really without much warning. We was flooded in a matter of minutes. It was crazy. Lost our home our two daughters and their families lost there homes. Everything was gone. It was start over time. Hard thing to do with me and my wife both being over sixty. But the good Lord Jesus meet our needs and restored everything better than new. I pray for…
Holy Spirit clearly told me that the excessive rain & direction of Helene is NOT a natural event. Our government has used cloud seeding for decades to influence weather events most notably during the Vietnam war. The strength, location and timing of Milton is also not natural. True facts are not “conspiracy theories”. Do your own research. I am praying that those responsible for these murderous acts are exposed for all the world to see and that they are held accountable as the mass murderers that they are.
Some months ago several of God's chosen said great devastation is coming stock up on supplies. Maybe hurricane Helene is a part of what the Lord is trying to convey to us. We all should stay in a prepared state so the Lord can convey to us at a moments notice how and when to respond as He directs.
Many thanks and blessings to those who have already done so much.
Where can we send clothing