RESTORE APPALACHIA UPDATES: TRIPS 4 & 5

RESTORE APPALACHIA:

Trips 4 & 5

Trip 4 ~ Nov 11th-13th:

The trip to North Carolina this weekend was successful! We finally were able to secure a used UTV (we'll call it "Cubby") for a very discounted price, as well as a trailer to pull it with...both were given at a discount since we are using it for relief efforts. We will use it when we're there, to take supplies or check on folks, and others we know can use it for similarly, when we aren't there. Thank you for your giving and support that helped us be able to buy these!

Our colleagues Robby and Tammy James arrived midweek and worked hard on establishing a basecamp in Spruce Pine. The RV arrived allong with several other assets provided by other Kingdom partners to make serving the needs of the community more effective. Food trucks and volunteers arrived and are helping with feeding those that still need meals, heaters, supplies, and aid. There are still so many people that are in need!

We concluded the trip by delivering the 4x4 UTV to our friends in Pensacola, NC. This area was destroyed and is slowly recovering. The road and electricity are somewhat being restored, but there is an epic amount of cleanup to be done, and rebuilding is going to take a long time. The 4x4 will serve as a utility vehicle to negotiate the rugged terrain and serve the needs of the volunteers and contractors.

Our dear sister (Sandra - that me with her in front of our "cubby") is a local resident and is partnering with Restore Appalachia and others there locally, as the recovery effort continues. She is a spirit-filled believer, who is graciously hosting the UTV and trailer there on her property so that it can be shared by the community as needed. Her home was miraculously spared from the flood waters as she literally stood in faith, commanding the flood waters to not come any further...and it didn't! WOW! She has now been a tremendous help in her community. Thank you, Sandra!

Please continue to pray for these people.

TRIP 5 ~ Nov 22nd & 23rd:

We took a small load this time, as there were just a few things that we could take in our car that we knew were needed (we didn't have access to a truck this time). It was hard to do this trip, as we are leaving this week to visit family in S. GA for Thanksgiving, but I felt a few more items needed to go before the real cold came in...so we did! We left Friday around 2:30 and came back home Saturday evening. Sunday we simply had to have a day of rest.

Nowadays, it isn't just about taking things over and delivering it to a distribution center (although some are still helping folks). Now it's about taking it out to those who need it most. We took some items we already had, and bought some more heaters & propane that is very needed as nights get colder.

We headed over Roan Mountain, TN to just over the line in Newland, NC. This area got a bunch of snow this last week, and much of it still hadn't melted by Saturday. ❄️ 🏔

A young lady had let me know that they could use a heater and some propane. She told me where to leave it, which was a place that they are staying while they try to repair their house. When we pulled up, I thought "surely they don't live here?!" Behind an old abandoned mini-store on an old country road?

I won't show the full picture, just for privacy reasons, but you can get a glimpse above (it's much worse than what I'm showing). She said we would know it was the right place, because of the pull trailer with many of their items from their house on it in large black garbage bags. Yep this was the place. 😔🙏❤️‍🩹

They weren't there, as I believe they were out at their house trying to do some work, or getting needed items. I'm assuming someone let them live here just to help them until they can get their floors fixed. It's what someone had, and they said "hey, I don't have much, but I've got this if you can use it!"

The young lady said her and her husband and two small children were living in this one room "apartment", and could use the heater as the nights got colder. We left them what they asked for and a few more things. She was so very grateful! I told them we were going to try to get some more things to help with their rebuild...and we will! She has also been adopted by another family for Christmas, so they will have presents, etc.

We delivered other items, and left the rest with some local new friends who will help us distribute them as we come in contact with more folks that need them. Our friends will meet with them directly to give out the items needed. We already have several contacts who we couldn't get to this weekend, that they will be taking things to this week.

There's so much that needs to be done. So many that need help. It can often feel overwhelming and like "how are we ever going to be able to help these people?" The fact is, "we" alone can't...but "we" together can! We...as in all of us that are out here helping. Every little bit helps. And dropping off a heater & propane out in a remote place in the mountains may seem like a drop in the bucket...but to this one family, it meant a lot! She couldn't stop saying "Thank you so much!" #KingdomLife #DoingTheWork #PrayForSouthernAppalacia

All of it is work in the Kingdom. We will keep doing the work, until everyone is helped...by His strength & for His Kingdom. 👑💝

We are going back in December and will be helping others who are doing amazing work, and having special Christmas events to help many. I can't wait for that also! 🥲🎄🎁

Since folks always are always asking, here is the the link on how to give to our Restore Appalachia fund, for those who want to help us in this... Click DONATE to give.

We know not everyone can come help, but those who have given, and those who will give, are helping us go...so #THANKYOU!!! #RestoreAppalachia

All for His Kingdom,

Amanda Shiflett

Kingdom Life Ministries

Restore Appalachia