Jumping into the Nitty-Gritty of Storm Relief

Even with pictures and videos, it’s still difficult to fully grasp the destructive power and havoc of a hurricane unless you’ve encountered it for yourself.

It’s heart breaking to see a fully-functioning community turned upside down in a matter of hours with excessive water, wind, and debris. Even with infrastructure in place to organize a response, the effort to return all as it was is a huge undertaking. But, until we figure out how to prevent natural disasters, a response is the best we’ve got—even if it’s hard. This Fall, two hurricanes, Florence and Michael, struck the U.S. coast and dug into the mainland affecting places like Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Encompass Crisis Response Director Barb Wooler was quick to react. Thankfully, this wasn’t her first rodeo. Though she cannot prevent these natural disasters, Barb has built up a network that expects them. After several years of responding to crises, the network—made up of individuals and partner churches— has grown into a loving family ready to jump into the nitty-gritty. But, what needs to be said is what make this network truly unique. They are intentionally and thoroughly missional! Barb and her crisis response network know unashamedly that God’s grace is sufficient in all things and is made perfect through weakness. So, in the mud, mire, and mess of the storm, they offer not only physical relief but spiritual hope. They meet people’s why are you doing this with a bold and compassionate Jesus is enough. Already, several crisis response teams have jumped in to restore what others have lost because of Florence and Michael. Much of the work has been “mudding-out” houses in Hempstead, NC. This entails ripping out everything wet—all the contents of the house, flooring, drywall, sometimes even ceilings. In Panama City, FL, relief supplies have been sent and future reconstruction projects are emerging.

Consider This

The crisis response teams have done some incredible work so far, but there is still more that can be done. Would you consider reaching out to Barb Wooler to see how you can bring hope and restoration to the storm-torn communities? For more information, check out our Storm Relief giving page.