Preacher David's Corner

                                                 My Faith in Mankind is Restored

A Story of Hope and Humanity after Hurricane Helene in Ashe County, NC. It was the kind of storm that made you hold your breath, waiting for the worst to pass. Hurricane Helene, with her fierce winds and torrential rains, came tearing through Ashe County in the Appalachian foothills of North Carolina. By the time the storm subsided, the damage was overwhelming. Homes had been torn apart, trees uprooted, power lines down, and whole neighborhoods submerged in floodwaters. Four hundred homes, once filled with life and warmth, were now uninhabitable. There were no words to describe the devastation. Streets were impassable, and even the familiar sights of our little town—the local diner, the grocery store, the post office—were barely recognizable under the wreckage. But in the days that followed, something unexpected happened. Something beautiful. I had always believed that humanity had a special way of coming together in times of crisis, but in the weeks after the hurricane, I witnessed a level of compassion and kindness that renewed my faith in people—something I hadn't even realized I had lost. It started with the volunteers. They came from everywhere—near and far. Some were locals, others from neighboring counties, and still others from states I'd never been to. All of them showed up, determined to help, bringing tools, supplies, and, most importantly, their willingness to serve. They didn’t hesitate to roll up their sleeves and get to work. Every corner of the community became a hub for aid. The local church—once a place of quiet reflection on Sunday mornings—became a center of action. What was once a sanctuary of worship turned into a warehouse of supplies. The pews, which had been used for prayer, now served as a distribution center for food, water, clothing, and essential items. The church didn't stop there. The pastors and church volunteers set up a makeshift kitchen, cooking hot meals for families who had lost everything. Each plate of food was delivered with a smile, and every person who came in the door was treated like family. They didn’t ask who was religious or whether you attended services regularly; they simply opened their arms and hearts to anyone who needed help. Outside, the church's parking lot became a gathering place for even more generosity. Local businesses and individuals donated what they could. Trucks full of supplies pulled in, and unloading crews quickly set to work filling the community's needs. There were diapers for young families, blankets for the elderly, and water for everyone. The storage areas, which had once been empty, were quickly filled to the brim. But it wasn’t just the supplies that made the difference—it was the people. Strangers from all walks of life came together, they simply showed up and worked until their hands were blistered. One of the most powerful images I’ll carry with me is the church service held that Sunday, just days after the hurricane. The sanctuary was filled with the same faces that had spent hours in the muck and rubble, cleaning, repairing, and rebuilding. But as the hymns played and prayers were spoken, the energy in that room was different. People were no longer just sitting in their seats—they were out in the streets, helping one another with a deep sense of purpose. the world, is being restored after Hurricane Helene. It is being restored by the people who gave everything they had to help others—without expectation, without hesitation. It is being restored by the sight of so many selfless souls working together to rebuild a community. In the end, Ashe County will recover The homes will be rebuilt, the streets will be cleared, and the damage caused by the storm will fade into the past. But what will stay with me is the memory of how people came together, how the kindness of strangers became the foundation of healing, and how the community proved that in times of disaster, humanity shines brighter than we ever could have imagined. In the wake of the storm, I realized something I will never forget: humanity, at its core, is good. And when we lean on each other, there is no challenge too great to overcome. God is good! All the time!! Romans 8:28 comes into mind.

Your Servant, David