It all started on Wednesday, September 25th after we dropped off our daughter at youth group. It was raining and my husband and I were on our way to grab dinner, when a huge limb hit our car. It sounded like an explosion and busted the sunroof. I pulled over and my son brought us supplies to cover it so we could get home. Hurricane Helene was on its way just two days later.
“Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,” says the LORD, who has compassion on you. Isaiah 54:10
Our community in Fairview, North Carolina had over 30 landslides that I could see from the beginning of the road to my house. Our two-lane road was down to one within a 10-mile radius, just from the rain that came down Friday afternoon. There were at least 13 lives lost two miles from my home.
There were at least 13 lives lost 2 miles from my home.
In front and behind our house, there were two large landslides. Around 9am, my husband heard the one that blocked us in. He said it sounded like a freight train. Just five minutes before this, our neighbors heard the other one and said it sounded like a tornado and shook their house. They ran down to stay with us until the rain stopped.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
Neighbors came on Monday to help us get out of our driveway, hearing by word of mouth that we were stuck. Then on Wednesday, Samaritans Purse brought supplies to the community center which is just a half mile from my house. God provided!
My daughter and I began working at the community center helping distribute supplies, talking to people, and hearing their stories.
There are many miraculous ways God provided through the storm
- A lady drove up who needed a generator put in at her home. Her husband was having chemotherapy and she needed help. I said to her, “Let’s pray about getting help for you.” Within five minutes, a man pulled in who was able to install her generator, however he couldn’t lift it by himself.
- Only three minutes passed when the Western Carolina University rowing team pulled in and asked if we needed help. I looked over at her and said, “God sent help that fast… WOW!” Two team members loaded the generator in her truck and set it up for her at her home.
- WCU rowing team boys stayed for several more days and helped people move trees so they could get in and out. I told them they were an answer to prayer!
- By this time, we had received many canned goods, but people didn’t have any can openers. We put the word out and in no time, boxes of can openers were delivered.
- A huge truck from Pennsylvania stopped at our community center with fuel. They put gas in all of the workers’ cars.
Communities pulled together and stopped to help others
- A man lost his entire house in a landslide. Then I saw him on his four-wheeler taking supplies to many stranded in our community, not even thinking about his loss.
- One couple lost their barn in the creek and started helping others get food for horses and animals. Then the community helped them rebuild a barn.
- A few weeks later, it was starting to get cold, but we still didn’t have any power in most of Fairview. We had one sleeping bag left and a man needed it, but didn’t want to take it. I said, “Please take it. God will provide more.” Within ten minutes, a woman came in with several sleeping bags. I told her God used her to provide our exact needs just now.
My cousin from Memphis and our friends from the Charlotte area came in with supplies and helped. Churches brought us food and supplies. People came in from all over the U.S. to help us in our little unknown town of Fairview.
I wore a Moms in Prayer shirt to show people that I believed in Christ and would pray for them. As people drove in to get supplies, I prayed with them right away. We were all touched by how God’s faithfulness was so beautiful in the ashes (rubble) of the storm.
I wore a Moms in Prayer shirt to show people that I believed in Christ and would pray for them.
Day to day provision was provided. We lacked nothing. God knew exactly what we needed and used these incredible people to provide. I’m learning that if God says, “Go…” then GO. If He says, “Take this…” it’s because He knows someone who needs it!
Bible verses now have a different meaning and realness to us after what we have gone through because of Hurricane Helene. God is our help. Our healer. Our provider. God is our everything!
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. Isaiah 43:2a NIV
How has God provided for you in your storms of life? Comment below.
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Sara Calloway was born and raised in Asheville, North Carolina. She has lived in Fairview, NC with her husband and three children for 27 years. She is a teacher at a small Christian school and has been a part of Moms in Prayer for 7 years. Sara has seen the power of prayer in her life and in the children she loves. As a Moms in Prayer Area Coordinator of Buncombe County, she loves seeing God working through praying Scripture.
Comments 13
Sara
A wonderful testimony – I am awed by you and our faithful God!!!
Agree with Liza!! God is good and you were bold and faithful. Looking forward to meeting you, Sara Calloway, at the 40th Celebration, if you are there. Your specific points about how God immediately answered prayers gave me chills. It reminded me of the scripture we pray in MIP on the prayer sheet God is our Helper…Deuteronomy 33:26: “There is none like God, O Jeshurun,
who rides through the heavens to your help,
through the skies in his majesty.
(I’ve always thought of this being an image of a heavenly rescuer, riding through the skies to help us. Our God was definitely flying to your aid during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Praying for the continuing recovery!
Thank you for your prayers! I will be at the 40th and can’t wait to meet you! God is so good and actually gave me the words to write! I love how we get to pray scripture in MIP!
Yes, one of my favorite things as well…the prayer sheets is solidly based in God’s Word!
Thank you! God is so good.
Sara, I know I’m not the only one here with tears of rejoicing and thankfulness welling up as I read your post. Thank you for sharing these journeys you and your neighbors are in right now. What glory to the Lord! Yes, scripture takes on a whole different perspective when you’re actually in the midst of a storm such as this, as does the powerful presence of the Lord. Again, thank you for sharing from your heart and soul.
Thank you for your encouraging comments.
My dearest sweet sister, this is so fearless of you to tell of the love Christ has for u.. those times must have been hard and difficult for you and your community. visiting a couple months before Helene’s tragedy was such a blessing.. yet to see how distorted the place had become.. everything just looked like an empty space.. kept us worried and helpless down here in st lucia, but all those prayers went up and the Lord had been working beforehand, behind those scenes and provisions were right at your doorway.. oh how I marvel at the way u and your family left all your damages behind and went out volunteering to help those in need, and that makes me proud of this kind and loving heart of yours even more than before. And so I continue to prayer walk with you in spirit and in truth hoping that this testimony of yours will touch hearts of many all around the world, the way he did for u. I am proud to be part of moms in prayer, women battling on their knees as strong warriors to help make our family, friends, schools and communities better and resourceful for our young people out there.. you’re appreciated.. keep looking up soldier of the cross.
Thank you for your sweet comments. Thank you most of all for your prayers. I feel them. I love this ministry so much and enjoy stepping out to pray for our communities and schools. Our time together prayer walking at my school and your neighborhoods in St. Lucia have been such a blessing. Never forget we are praying for you, your family and St. Lucia always!
Sara, my friend,
Thank you for sharing your life and heart with us. You are a treasure! God is so good! Wow!
Thank you! God wrote this story, I just held the pen.
Sara, that is a beautiful testimony of provision in the storm. It has reminded me that the Lord hears those that call out to Him in their time of need. I pray in Jesus precious name that this testimony reaches people far and wide encouraging others as the day draws near. and that many will be saved.
I so agree, thank you for your comment. Praying Scripture over the people God puts in your lives and watching Him work is a beautiful thing to see. I love seeing God use His people to accomplish His work. May God Bless you!