INSPIRASUNS

Over the past weeks since Hurricane Helene made her way through Florida, Georgia, Eastern TN, and Western NC, I’ve been asking regularly for you all to lift these communities in prayer. The damage done by this storm has been historic, like nothing we’ve ever seen.  We’ve talked about “100-year storms” such as Hurricane Ian. However, Helene, we’ll I’ve heard the term, “1000-year storm” used. The damage has been devastating. Families have lost literally everything, and many are sleeping in tents right now, with temperatures reaching the teens in some parts of Western NC.

In disasters though, there are beacons that form to bring light to the darkness.  Americans are stepping up in a very large way to send physical help, supplies, and monetary donations to these areas.  Americans helping Americans, that is what this country is all about. More importantly, God’s children helping God’s children, spreading the love of Jesus, that is what this life is all about.

Today in this little blog I want to share an opportunity for all of us to help children in Western North Carolina. There is a wonderful organization that has formed, just since Helene. A local realtor named Leigh Brown has basically put her business on hold to form a disaster response non-profit called Patriot Relief. Leigh has been amazing in mobilizing needed supplies, and equipment, facilitating deliveries, coordinating the building outbuildings, finding shelter for residents, and the list goes on, and on, and on. She and her team are truly doing God’s work.

Now, how can we help? Patriot Relief is bringing a Winter Wonderland Little Elves’ Workshop to selected Western North Carolina elementary schools! During the school day, students will shop for thoughtful gifts for their parents, grandparents, and siblings—100% FREE.  We can help to make this magical for the kids.  There is an Amazon Wish List that has been set up where you can purchase items and they will be delivered to Western NC.  Or you can make a monetary donation to Patriot Relief specifically for the Winter Wonderland Little Elves’ Workshop.

There are so many of these families that have nothing, as I said many are living in tents. I can’t imagine the thoughts going through the children’s minds right now as they think about Christmas. It takes very little to help make it a little brighter for them.

Friends, you’ve always responded when I’ve come to ask for prayers.  Today I come to ask for not only prayers, as those are always needed, but I come to ask for your giving hearts to open for this event.  Let us continue to follow our hearts in spreading the love of Jesus as He asked. Together, we can make this difficult time and this Christmas a little brighter for so many in Western NC.

Have a wonderful day and thanks so much my friends for always being here!

1 John 3:18
Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.