09/30/2024
Long's Chapel Family and other concerned friends,
Obviously, it has been quite a weekend around the mountains of Western North Carolina. Whenever I get a chance to brag on the beauty of mountains I tell people that it's the most beautiful place of anywhere I've been in the world for ten months out of the year. Obviously, that natural beauty has taken a hit pretty significantly over the weekend. But what is still remarkably beautiful is the resilience of people, the kindness of strangers, and the brilliance of the Spirit of God showing up and showing off.
This is our first general church communication since the Hurricane and resulting floods. There is finally some spotty cell service in the community after a weekend of communication darkness. We were able to gather yesterday (Sunday) to have a hot breakfast and a brief time of worship. The church has power, so folks have been able to charge devices, etc. The area still doesn't have Wi-Fi, gas is showing up here and there if you are willing to wait with hundreds of other neighbors in line for it (but at least it's starting to be available). Obviously, basic needs have been a huge concern as many of us are still without power, which drives well water and other necessities. Patience is definitely a virtue in this season.
The life-saving response from first responders and other essential personnel has been remarkable. There are still water rescue folks in the area trying to manage the fall out from water levels that rose 25 feet in just a few hours. We haven't heard definitive word on loss of life in our county, but across all of Western North Carolina, those numbers are significant. Obviously, our hearts and prayers are with families that have been most dramatically affected through loss of life, injury, loss of property, or an inability to access homes, personal items, etc.
Obviously, the essential necessities will resume this week in one way or another (power, water, cell service, Wi-Fi, hopefully, gas, etc.). But the recovery here will take months and years. Here are some Long's Chapel-specific announcements that I want to share:
People Updates: Some of our Long's Chapel Family were hit harder than others. Because communication has been such a challenge, we do not have a current list of church families most affected. When you read this, if you have needs or are aware of the needs of others, will you communicate them to us? Reply to this email so we can know that you are okay. We have a running list. We have had different groups offer to help, and we hope that will be more and more the case as things stabilize.
Flood Damage: The Church has some flood damage in one of our Child Enrichment Center Classrooms in the older building, which our staff has been working on all weekend to get cleaned out and cleaned up. The Child Enrichment Center is not meeting for the next couple of days, so there is hope we can get that settled by the time we offer that service again. The Second Season (space that Long's Chapel leases on Boundary Street) was hit pretty hard (just after Food Lion had given a pretty significant grant to do some remodeling). Even worse than that - Manna is our Food Partner, and they have operated along the banks of the Swannanoa River in Asheville, and their operation is destroyed. Hopefully, they will rebound quickly and encourage you to pray to that end. The Second Season has had volunteers there doing the muck out work all weekend on the pantry side and soon to start on the thrift side. Any previous schedule for the Second Season is being amended. And speaking of that:
Long's Chapel is mobilizing in lots of ways. I want to encourage you as I'm hearing about you helping neighbors and, loving on people and praying with those in need. At this stage, that is such important work. Thanks for being the love of Jesus. Here are some formal ways you can help:
We are planning two community meals to offer the community hot food and warm fellowship this week. Wednesday evening from 4:00-6:00 pm and Friday morning from 8:00-10:00 am. Our hope is to have some food items salvaged from the Second Season around the community room for folks to take as needed while they last. We will also serve meals for folks that want to eat here and will serve to-go meals for as long as we have to-go containers to do so. If you want to help with that, feel free to come a little bit early. I think our ministry staff and Wednesday night crew will do most of what's needed for Wednesday's effort, but Friday morning doesn't have a sponsoring team yet.
Donation site: Several conversations are happening with staging donations and community meetings at our facility. We never lost power and hope to make ourselves available for the recovery effort ahead. As plans for this get more settled, we will communicate the needs. But much will be needed for flood survivors, and we must replace almost all of the items from the Second Season Thrift Store, so your generosity will be greatly appreciated and put to good use.
All of this is "fluid," but I want to remind you of the anchor that we have in Jesus. God is good, ALL the Time, and ALL the Time God is good!!! Let's declare God's goodness even in the most difficult of moments we can let God's light shine. Thank you for the ways that you do that.
PS: Several folks have offered to sponsor teams to come and help. That is a beautiful gesture, and we will need every bit of it. But there isn't even enough gas and supplies here for residents and first responders, much less visitors. That time will come, but not yet. Please hold on to your good intentions and know at this time how grateful we are for your prayers and the other goodness that will follow. Folks can give money on the Long's Chapel Website if they wish which will be immediately put to mission and ministry in this heart of this community which is experiencing devastation.
Grace and Peace,
Chris
