• Shelley Henderson

"Prayers of Western North Carolina: The Salvation Army Supporting Communities After Helene"

Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your book?... This I know, that God is for me. In God, whose word I praise, In the LORD, whose word I praise, In God, I have put my trust, I shall not be afraid.  Psalm 56:8-11

Hendersonville, NC (October 6, 2024)--The morning after Helene devastated Western North Carolina, The Salvation Army of Hendersonville opened its gymnasium doors for breakfast. A week later, The Salvation Army’s doors remain open, offering breakfast, dinner, and hope to people in their most desperate moments. Since the storm hit, The Salvation Army's local officers, Captains Sherrie and Phillip Stokes, have been at the corps around the clock, praying with their community and loving on them. 

"These are our people," said Captain Phillip Stokes. "Our mission is to love and support them during this difficult time. We share in the heartbreak of those who have lost everything—family, homes, and the foundations of their lives. We were here before, we’re here now, and we will remain by their side, offering the hope that only God can provide."

A large cross graces a wall of the gym, and beneath it, colorful squares of hope and praise come together to form a tapestry of resilience. From the heartfelt prayers scrawled in a child’s handwriting to those penned in the shaky script of the elderly, each message serves as a reminder that God sees our struggles and shares our burdens.

These prayers from Hendersonville, North Carolina, are echoed throughout the mountains in Western North Carolina.

• Please pray for all the animals, domestic and wild, who have been harmed by the storm.
• I pray for the hand of God to send help getting 5 trees off our house and car, for my neighbors who helped tarp our house and for neighbors who bring us what we need – adding our list of needs to their list of needs.
• I am grateful to be alive, that the huge tree in back didn’t come down, and for friends who support and encourage us.
• I am grateful for hearing and seeing God’s hand in the storm.
• I am thankful for my family, my pets,  and the food we get to eat during this hard time without power/water.
• I praise God for Dr Pepper, a roof over my head, kind people.
• I am thinkfull (sic) for waking up this morning, people helping with something, new things I learn every day.
• Friends and family, safety that my community provides, and having the resources to feel safe.
• Thankful for being alive, for having something to eat, and for water to drink.
• Please pray for everyone to stay safe and pray that we find a place as soon as possible for me and my mom. Give Glory to God. Give Yourself to God.
• I am thankful for my family and friends, a roof over my head, and to be alive.
• I am thankful for my family and house's safety, the generosity of others, and, most importantly, God and His Faithfulness.

Disaster affects rural towns and big cities, touching the young, the old, the rich, the poor, and everyone in between. The Salvation Army works tirelessly, day and night, to provide hope and respond to the prayers of those in need. Please join us in prayer as we continue to serve throughout the Carolinas and pray for the people whose lives were deeply impacted by Helene. 

Through your support, we can help families impacted by Helene. Donate today at HelpSalvationArmy.org or call 1-800-SaAL-ARMY. 100% of your donation—every cent of every dollar—goes directly to disaster relief. The Salvation Army does not apply an administrative fee to any disaster gift. If disaster donations exceed identified needs, excess funds will be restricted to support future disaster services.