The Winds Blew and the Rains Came…

When Hurricane Florence impacted the Carolinas with high winds and heavy rains with an estimated 55 fatalities from the storm – among the hardest hit – the city of Wilmington, NC was completely cut-off from the mainland by a strong storm surge and inland flooding caused by the high record-breaking rainfall, exceeding 30 inches in some areas.  Lacking utilities and other services for a number of days, conditions for many residents of Wilmington was difficult.

Responding to the needs of these struggling for even basic necessities, Davis Street UMC in Burlington, NC made an appeal in their community for funds and donations of needed items to be taken to a food pantry in Wilmington, Mother Hubbard’s Cupboard, that serves the homeless and others in the downtown area.  From that effort, fifty 5 gallon buckets filled with recommended basic supplies along with individual hygiene packs were prepared for those in Wilmington.

As the date approached for the delivery of these supplies, Fellowship Riders – Alamance County at Trailhead Church in Burlington, became aware of the opportunity to deploy its newly acquired trailer and partner with Pastor Edgar DeJesus of Davis Street UMC in taking these supplies to Wilmington. 

It is a joy to be the hands and feet of Jesus serving those in need, both physically and spiritually, “with your feet fitted with the readiness of the gospel of peace” as it was on the morning we met to deliver the supplies.  While waiting on one of our group to arrive, a man came up asking for money, saying he was a painter and did not have enough work to keep him busy.  As we talked, he confessed he had suffered from alcohol abuse but was now sober (there was no odor of alcohol) and he said he had accepted Jesus as Lord.  The Holy Spirit stirred concerning his deliverance from the demonic attack of Satan on his life through the use of alcohol as we laid hands on him and prayed for his complete release from bondage and for a renewed walk with Jesus. 

All in all, it was a special event, a time of blessing and being blessed.  May the Lord be praised and exalted.