On November 11-17, several Millwood team members participated in a mission alongside Operation Blessing to bring relief to Asheville, NC, which was devastated by Hurricane Helene at the end of September. The collaborative effort included volunteers from across the United States and even countries like Spain, Mexico, and others in South America, many of whom work full-time with Operation Blessing.
“I had seen videos and pictures on TV, but this past week, I saw the devastation in person,” one participant said. “As I had the privilege to be translator for Operation Blessing’s cameraman, he helped me to view the details and the different angles of the damages, as well as the impact that these damages cause in the lives of people emotionally and economically.”
One story that made an impression on many of the volunteers was that of Mark and Kathleen, a couple who owned three businesses in the Asheville area that were destroyed by the storm.
Mark greeted the camera with gratitude for the volunteers, but when asked how the storm had impacted his life, he broke down in tears.
"We lost our three businesses in one day. That was all we had. Everything we invested in is gone," he shared.
“Just hearing his story made me realize how much we have today might not be here tomorrow,” a team member said.
Even having to deal with this devastating situation, Mark expressed unwavering faith that God had a greater plan.
"God must have something bigger in store for me and my wife," he said, recounting how two Operation Blessing volunteers arrived at their site shortly after the storm and asked how they could help.
“That was only the beginning how God started showing Mark that he has not being forgotten, and that Christ suffers along with those with afflicted hearts,” one team member said.
For the Millwood team members who were part of this effort, this moment was a powerful reminder of their purpose and mission.
“God connected me and my friends from Millwood to be there for a special purpose,” one team member shared. “Not to restore everything in one week, because that will take months or years, but to remind Mark and his family of Christ’s presence and that there is hope, even in the midst of the storm.”
The mission made an impact on the team members who participated as much as those who were helped.
For many, leaving Asheville was bittersweet, as there was still so much need. Yet they trusted that their work was part of a greater purpose.
“I honestly felt bad about leaving there. So many people need our help,” a team member shared. “But we did what we could for the time we had. It may have seemed like we didn’t do much, but we left our handprint with one family. You all are amazing people, and I appreciate the time I spent with you.”
Millwood’s mission is that all who come in contact with our company would clearly see the love of Christ in all that we do, and trips like this one and organizations like Operation Blessing allow us to show that love in a practical way to those who need it most. We give God the glory for the opportunity to shine His light and spread hope to those who experience devastation.