Weeks now after Hurricane Helene and its remaining force scarred the Southeastern United States, Adair Countians continue to show up for those in need.
Last week, Egypt Christian Church was one such party. In a joint effort with Bethlehem Separate Baptist Church in Russell Springs, departed with a caravan of 17 trucks and trailers filled with supplies destined for Tennessee.
“We were going and (Bethlehem) didn’t have a contact,” said Egypt Christian Church’s associate pastor, Dr. Joel Patton, said of the partnership.
The “contact” in question was Embreeville Church of Christ located in Erwin, Tennessee. Erwin is a small community in Unicoi County of around 6,000 people that was devastated by flooding—in particular, Unicoi County Hospital was almost entirely submerged. Several people had to be rescued from its roof.
“I contacted their pastor Matt Fisher and we began to work together on the logistics and specific things that needed to be accomplished,” Dr. Patton stated. “It took us—the trailers included skid-steers, side-by-sides, supplies, a bunch of stuff. It took us about two and a half weeks to get all that together.”
Part of the goal of collecting these supplies for the church was to not simply add to the pile of what others had brought. General supplies are always needed in the aftermath of disasters but Dr. Patton wanted to curate his church’s relief effort to reflect the needs of Erwin as much as possible.
Through speaking with pastor Fisher and others, Egypt Christian Church decided to bring nearly 20 propane tanks and seven generators for the people of Erwin complete with fuel and oil.
Part of their time there also involved service work, including making sure that those who have now been without electric or propane were able to enjoy a warm meal. Dr. Patton explained, “While we were there, we took over a hundred hot meals out into the community, that’s why we took the ATVs. We went up into the hollers. We took 150 meals three times a day out into the community. We met with them and prayed with them and on Thursday night, we offered a community meal and we had a worship service with Embreeville Church of Christ.”
Part of service work also included demolishing old homes that were unfortunately beyond salvaging.
“The pastor there in Embreeville hoped we would be able to demolish two houses and clean them up so new homes could be built. We were actually able to demolish six houses while we were there, which has got to be a God thing that he multiplied our time to be able to do that because nobody demolishes and clears six houses in a day in a half,” Dr. Patton said, though he added that in subsequent trips these houses will be replaced.
On Monday, a delivery of rock and cinderblock were made to Embreeville. Before Dr. Patton and others from the area return, Pastor Fisher and his uncle plan to have the foundations for a couple of new homes ready to be built on.
These following trips to Tennessee are also to establish true connections with those the church is helping. Dr. Patton explained he wanted to form relationships with those in need and understand their struggles and needs to better assist them. Doing so allows more specificity in what relief is provided, such as in a story Dr. Patton relayed about a young couple whose baby shower gifts had been taken from them by the storm. The good Samaritans were able to hold them another baby shower and household shower to replace what had been lost.
“That’s different than most disaster relief is… We know these people now. We’re going back and we know them. I really want them to know we’re going back,” Dr. Patton said, saying that a load of 29 rolled bales of hay was scheduled to be delivered Wednesday, October 23. “And I have 100 additional rolls that if they need, I’ve got those going down too as the need presents itself. I thought it was pretty significant to take care of the animals.”
One thing about bringing seventeen trucks and trailers to Erwin that stood out to Dr. Patton was how easily it was done.
“As far as how it feels… to be able to coordinate and organize something in that short of time and for it to go as smoothly as it did certainly shows the hand of God is in it…” Dr. Patton said. “Really honestly, it doesn’t feel any different than blessing somebody whenever you bury their loved one. It’s literally just fulfilling the great commission to go into all the word and that includes Tennessee. And for the fact that it went off without a hitch… it’s just a testament to what God has done.”
By Kenley Godby
kenley@adairvoice.com
