09/27/24

The Everlasting Covenant: “Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”
—Genesis 9:16 NIV

Not many people get the chance to witness God as a miraculous protector the same way I did when Hurricane Helene hit. This is my testimony from 9/27/24.

On the day Hurricane Helene struck Buncombe County, North Carolina, we woke up at 6:00 AM to a knock on our door. Our ministry partner had come to the cabins we were staying in to evacuate us to the main lodge, which was up the road from our housing. Unaware of how bad the storm really was, most of us packed our bags with a few snacks and a change of clothes. As the storm progressed, some water started leaking through a back door, and many of my squadmates watched through the windows. Around 9:00 AM, a mudslide and a tree impacted the main lodge we were in. Moments before we were hit, my friend Mitch, who was by the window, yelled for us all to run because a tree was coming. We ran out the door as the building started to collapse, not knowing where to go. We ran to the highest land we could find. We called emergency services, but there was no answer. I lost everything except my backpack. I had no shoes, no phone, and no clothes.
For the next hour and a half, we waited outside for the hurricane to end while our ministry host did all he could to evacuate us, standing on a patch of asphalt as the wind and rain continued around us. There are so many vivid memories from that hour and a half: a large tree snapping, mimicking the noise we heard right before the lodge collapsed; the screams and sobs of my squad; the smell of propane leaking from the building, so strong it made us nauseous. Eventually, the storm ended. We were able to cross through the flooded areas by holding onto a rope, and we were then evacuated to a gymnasium with food and some clothes for us. We stayed there until around 9:00 PM when we were told that the gas lines might be leaking, and we were transported to a Holiday Inn. To get us there, they needed trucks with four-wheel drive. Strangers staying at the hotel offered us their cars; some even left the comfort of their rooms to come help. The manager of the hotel let us stay in the conference room for free and provided us breakfast the next morning.

God’s hand of protection was clear throughout every moment. In all my fear, He met me with peace. He met every need. The doors were on the side of the lodge that wasn’t crushed. We had the ability to evacuate so soon after the storm. After one week, there were over 200 reported deaths from Helen, but every single member of my squad survived, our only injury being a sprained ankle. Due to my phone being lost I don’t have many pictures other than what was sent to me days after, but I will attach what I have!

ELOHIM SHOMRI!!