MSN spends spring break helping hurricane survivors in North Carolina

By the Rev. Jad Taylor

A group of dedicated volunteers from the Methodist Student Network, also known as Columbia Wesley, recently returned from a weeklong spring break mission trip to Spruce Pine, North Carolina, a community still grappling with the devastating aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Partnering with UNC Chapel Hill Wesley, Iglesia Metodista Obispo Francis Asbury of Puerto Rico, and an Emergency Response Team out of Bahama, North Carolina, the volunteers provided much-needed hands-on assistance, sharing in God’s hope with the resilient mountain community.

The team focused their efforts on several key projects designed to address immediate needs and contribute to long-term recovery. One crucial task involved splitting tons of firewood from downed trees, ensuring that residents still facing power outages and unreliable heating would have a vital source of warmth.

“It’s surprising to me how there are still residents without power,” reflected Spencer Stevens, a student participant. “On one hand, it makes total sense, as so many structures, power lines, sewer lines and other utilities were washed away or damaged at the source during the hurricane, but it surprised me at first because no one is talking about it. After 30 days, the news is no longer going to cover it, even if it is still as bad, or even worse than previously thought.”

Stevens and his team were mindful of the community’s self-reliance, ensuring each piece of firewood was manageable for even the elderly or young to carry.

Another significant project centered on assisting a local artist whose studio had been inundated with over a foot of mud during the hurricane. Months later, the studio remained unusable. Volunteers tirelessly shoveled literal tons of mud, meticulously cleaning salvaged artwork and furniture to help the artist reclaim her workspace and a vital community gathering spot.

Andrew Williams, another student on the trip, described the profound impact of this work.

“Although there were many things we found that could not be salvaged, we were able to give the homeowner hope and her workspace back, as well as get rid of the constant reminder of the storm that manifested itself in the mud that invaded her workspace.”

Beyond the physical labor, the students also engaged with the community on a personal level. They supported a local after-school elementary literacy program hosted by Spruce Pine United Methodist Church, which plays a crucial role in helping students catch up after missing a significant portion of the school year because of disruptions caused by Hurricane Helene. 

Volunteers also contributed to the long-term preparedness of the host site, Spruce Pine UMC, by building a deck to store disaster relief supplies. This will enable future volunteer groups and the local community to have readily accessible resources in times of need.

Williams emphasized the importance of bearing witness to the ongoing struggles.

“One thing that we were told over and over was to go out and tell what we saw and the stories we heard to other people,” Williams said. “Six months after Hurricane Helene, Spruce Pine and the surrounding areas are still recovering from the devastation Helene caused and have not received the support they need. I heard firsthand accounts of the storm and its aftermath and witnessed the destruction it left in its wake. Houses were demolished, lives were lost and whole ecosystems were wiped away by the flood waters.”

The trip also provided a space for spiritual reflection and growth for the students. Sharing moments of prayer with the homeowner, engaging in daily devotions and witnessing the unwavering faith and resilience of the Spruce Pine community left a lasting impact. Many came to see God not as the cause of the disaster, but as present in the helpers and the community’s collective strength.

“This trip helped me reflect on my own life and gave me hope about how God can work through people and call people to help those in need,” Williams said. “All around the area, churches provided goods and services to those in need, and getting to work beside my fellow peers to take time away from our busy lives to help those in need strengthened my conviction in how service can enact the spirit of Christ in the world. It also helped to illustrate to me the importance of accepting help and the presence of others and how God can provide aid in many different ways to those that need it.”

Stevens echoed this sentiment, recognizing the deeper purpose of their efforts.

“I now recognize that The United Methodist Church, as well as others, are more than what you see at face value,” Stevens said. “We go out into the world and serve others, as Jesus would have, without any underlying intention. We go out to serve and support the ministries of our local congregation through our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness, wherever they may be.”

The mission trip to Spruce Pine served as a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of natural disasters and the vital role of community support and faith-based organizations in the recovery process. Volunteers returned home with a deeper understanding of resilience, the importance of bearing witness and the profound spiritual growth that comes from serving others in times of crisis.

Their experience underscores the ongoing need for attention and aid for communities like Spruce Pine long after the initial storm has passed.
If you are interested in future opportunities to serve with the Methodist Student Network, contact email [email protected] or call 803-463-6655. We welcome any and all who seek to love God and neighbor together.

Taylor is campus minister for the Methodist Student Network at USC.