17^{th –} 27^th of November year 2024

The Bible speaks in many different places about assisting those in need and helping to carry burdens. This calamity pulled on my heart to help so i placed my desire before the Lord to make the way.

It is now Day 58 after Helene. Through a series of events, God answered prayer. I now find myself in North Carolina with a friend and Texas assemblyman. Alex. We arrived in Maggie Valley, North Carolina, on November 18th, set up the RV, and headed out. It was all God! We served within an 80-mile radius. This area includes Western North Carolina. It also includes the Appalachian Mountains around the Blue Ridge Parkway, the Swannanoa Valley, and the Toe River area.

All in all, the effort in regards to this field of mission was a success on different levels. Some people asked why did you go, ‘that’s a long way just to help somebody’. Others asked what did you accomplish?

It’s great to explore. Let’s first invite ourselves to envision the devastation from a first-person perspective. Imagine what it’s like to be in their shoes; you might discover, as I have, that we all yearn for love, mercy, and compassion. It’s good to know that you are not alone in your struggle. It is comforting when people demonstrate love and who genuinely care about you, whether they’re close by or far away. Luke 6:31 beautifully reminds us of the golden rule that guides us to treat others with kindness and just plain ole goodness.

People in the devastated areas seemed genuinely warmed to discover our journey to aid the North Carolinians. I can confidently say this. The impact upon the people was clearly visible. Various reactions. Some shook their heads in disbelief, some looked straightway in the eye, and expressed their gratitude by saying, ‘thank you for coming.’ Others accepted warm hugs, some held tightly in lingering embrace. Yet, others gazed with eyes that reflected a profound longing for hope. This connection, if only for a moment, helped to momentarily deflect the immense pain they were enduring.

Secondly, it was a matter of standing on the principle of action.

Alex is not just a friend; he’s a Deputy Marshal of the Texas Assembly, Land jurisdiction. We confidently decided to drive out and provide our support in any way possible. With his RV hooked up, we set off together, bringing essential food and other vital resources. These supplies were crucial for facing the cold, snow, and toxic environment head-on.

I was already in touch with Dominion Life Plano Texas, my home congregation, confident that this calamity would receive long-term aid and assistance in the coming years and was provided a contact in North Carolina to discover opportunities for lending a hand while there. Alex and I were graciously invited to Cynthia Pinkston’s home, the Marshal-At-Arms of the North Carolina Assembly, where we received an insightful tour of the most devastated areas. We were thoroughly briefed on the events that had transpired and updated on the latest toxicity report. Our arrival was celebrated with a warm lunch and outstanding hospitality from Cynthia and her husband, Mike.

We focus on areas of need with a strong commitment. In the Big Ivy community, we provide essential support. Conex boxes offer a pathway and resources for shopping. Community members collect much needed items like hygiene products and other supplies for their well-being. It was inspiring to see the variety available to them. Many individuals and families visited during the daily open hours. A few photos were taken to capture the experience, along the way, but through my own grief and tears shared it never dawned to take videos of those who were healed, set free, comforted, and other needs that were met. The moments of healing and fulfillment emphasized the importance of our service. Big Ivy was a significant initiative; below shows a partial layout of the grounds and our work areas as volunteers … it was early am.. just getting set up and volunteers were briefed as to how things worked.

After leaving Big Ivy, we had the heartfelt opportunity to meet with some incredible individuals who were preparing warm meals in tents nestled in the Swannanoa Valley. With compassion in our hearts, we joined them in seeking out those in need, delivering nourishing meals, cookies, and cozy blankets to those who were hungry and cold. Driven by Cynthia’s words, we ventured to a neighborhood she had mentioned, where we gently knocked on doors, bringing hope and warmth and comfort to those we encountered.

There were tent and trailer communities all around. We had an abundance of hot meals ready to distribute. Amidst the myriad of lives one man stood out. He was frail, short, and extremely skinny, yet he exuded a celestial aura. It’s the best way to describe it—he radiated goodness and wore a heavenly smile! I also noticed he had a pink eye, but upon witnessing Jesus, he lit up remarkably. He received both the blessing and the food with grace. I confidently fulfilled Mark 16:18 through the laying on of hands. This encounter stayed with me as I pressed on with my work, continuing in service.

The following day, we returned, and it was as if the universe conspired to bring us together once more. This remarkable man emerged from his beat up trailer, his presence radiating vitality as he strode down to greet me, a spring of life bursting from his every step. With great enthusiasm, he unveiled his name—Fred. Ah, Fred! We all have met Fred. That cherished soul encountered after countless faces, sometimes enduring a journey of thousands, even tens of thousands, just to find him—the one who truly shines amidst the throng. His face is etched in my memory, chiseled and pale, framed by the most striking azure eyes I have ever beheld. With pride that echoed in the air, he proclaimed, ‘I’m 70.’ Yet, when I looked closely, it felt as though I was gazing upon a spirit of 90 years, with the wisdom of ages reflected in his gaze.

Guess what? The pink eye is totally gone! Thank goodness for that name above all names!!! Yep, the name of Jesus. Fred was living in this really hard-hit trailer area, many had been underwater, but folks were still doing their best to fix things up. They and their families were sticking it out in there. You know what blows my mind? Encountering hundreds of people i would cover the question, ‘Are you sick?’ or ‘are you sick in body’. More times than not, the answer was ‘No’. Praise God! With all the reports about how toxic the area is, this is a huge testimony to God’s power and presence.

We left this team of volunteers and went up into an unincorporated community along the Toe River. We assisted a refuge for animals there. Our services included cutting logs, splitting logs, stacking logs, and growing a burn pile. We also needed to rebuild a fence. On this property, I observed a couple of testimonies of God’s grace. I also received more confirmation of healing taking place in my own body.

If you’ve ever been to the Appalachians, you know those crazy and narrow, steep, winding roads with the hairpin turns can be pretty scary. There are NO guard rails! Plus, shoulders have eroding edges in places. Yikes! It’s definitely a dramatic drive. Finally pulling into the parking lot of this refuge, I felt a weird sense of unease, though I couldn’t quite figure out why. As Alex parked, we were the only ones there. I initiated the call for someone to know that help had arrived. Eventually, a woman came out. Small framed and fragile in appearance yet there was this determined vibe. Her skin was very sallow, and she seemed a bit reserved. Even though she was friendly, there was something off in her demeanor that made me uneasy. Her greeting didn’t feel warm at all. It was a bit odd. Notwithstanding, my dependency would be on Holy Ghost for divine insight as needed. As the three of us started to walk, obviously it was important to her that we have knowledge of her many encounters and conversations with angels. She further spoke of ancestral connection to the land and the work she was doing here.

Now. a short moment of digression, shortly you will see the connection to the following image …Some of you may remember a back injury, quite severe, that i encountered towards the last quarter of 2023. Perhaps you read the testimonial shared with You Are Healed Ministries https://yahministries.org/2022/10/27/stand-for-your-healing/. If not, here is another opportunity for you. Notice: Strenuous activity that engages the major muscle groups of the back! Here I am, confidently picking up, dragging, dropping heavy logs, and tossing them onto a stack! I’m thinking, “Le, capture a photo of this to include in the original testimony of God’s love and the promise of healing fulfilled.”

Here is confirmation of God’s invaluable gift of healing and protection at this location. Our first day of work proved to be productive; however, that evening, illness struck unexpectedly. Poor Alex witnessed my multiple episodes of vomiting. By morning, a pervasive weakness had gripped my body. Initially, I attributed this to the physical exertion, the heavy lifting and strenuous manual labor, the altitude. Despite this, I was determined to persevere and was the first to head out to the pasture for work on this second day. As the day unfolded, I began to experience unusual sensations. My mind felt foggy, as if clarity was slipping away. It is difficult to describe further, yet it seemed that something was encroaching upon my very life force.

A bit later a red-headed man with long, red-streaked hair with matching beard appeared. He said he lived with this woman and had to give up meat to live here. At first, wondered what this had to do with anything. How strange that he would say such a thing. The longer worked, the weaker I got. This large, shiny gray boulder of which i had laid upon, the man claimed could center one’s energy. Not mine for I could no longer get up alone and got Alex’s attention to come and lend me his arm. After getting up, tried to work again but was unable to pull my sled of logs. My condition caught Alex’s attention. Mine too! this was strange for have been in much higher elevation, not on meds, and physically fit. Am left to think what in the world is going on …

Again. The man was friendly enough. By now, both Alex and I knew it was time to leave this property without wasting any time. I struggled to get myself into the truck to leave! You know the funny thing? The farther away from this property, the better I felt. As we drove away down the mountain, the strange feelings in my body faded. The invasion to my mental faculties, mind, and spirit disappeared. Finally, they left! The darkness and oppression upon me left! My usual energy returned!  Peace came; however, was in bed by 6:30 pm exhausted and slept through to the following morning. This encounter with evil stands testament of the power that indwells the believer. My mind is directed to Luke 10:17-20 which speaks of the exousia power of God, that delegated authority, and right to use power as received and when needed to destroy satan’s work. devils are subject to the believer in the Name of Jesus. Mission accomplished.

There are many other stories to tell. But just wish to share this One More Thing .. this simple necklace both Alex ad i received which is on a leather string cutting which includes two brown beads on either side of tiny blocks that spell out the word faith.

a gift that i will wear and treasure. A simple necklace yet powerful remembrance of a humble mom and her young daughter giving gifts of a few necklaces made, appreciative for the help received from volunteers who came.

You can visibly tell that it was made by a child. While with the Big Ivy Volunteer team, a woman arrived with her daughter giving gifts. For me, it was a real treat to receive one, and an ever reminder of the simple things in life that are truly meaningful. Life is expressible in divers ways but the reflections of God’s love never fade.