Hope and healing in South Georgia following Hurricane Helene

by Matthew Hendley

It’s been nearly a month since Hurricane Helene made landfall and brought so much destruction to our friends and neighbors across the South. Here in South Georgia, I’ve seen firsthand both the pain and suffering and also the hope as our communities come together to serve one another.

In just a few weeks, our South Georgia Christian Community Fund has already granted $24,000 to directly affected rural churches and ministries serving in these areas. It’s been a joy and a source of healing to help those in this time of need.

I’ve traveled from Homerville to Baxley, to Vidalia and Soperton and talked with numerous friends and pastors who are working hard to clean up. They are meeting basic needs by providing food and water, cleaning debris, and repairing homes, as they know who is in the greatest need of help. Helene seems to have brought our communities closer together, as tragedies often do, and neighbors are helping neighbors.

I’ve heard and experienced many moving stories over the last few weeks. Here are a few that may help you relate to the realities we’re facing on the ground here in south Georgia:

The Hart Family: On Thursday during the storm, my dear friend Jack Hart and his wife, Donna, were in bed listening to the powerful 100 mph winds. They heard a clapping on the side of the house, so Jack got up to see what was going on. In that moment, a tree came through the roof and killed Donna. They had been a wonderful resource to my family personally as we navigated my mom’s hospice care, and I shared in their family’s grief.

The farmland: I visited a widow in Montgomery County who has managed well by herself but will need long-term support. Her land full of mature pines and pecan trees, growing for generations, was destroyed. Another friend in the area lost hundreds of acres of mature timber. My friends in Clinch and Ware Counties lost their mature blueberry bushes. Many farms can’t harvest crops and have spent generations building these enterprises that are now ruined. The Georgia Department of Agriculture and Forestry estimates losses at $6.46 billion and growing. Farms and homes have had their landscapes forever changed.

My story: On the night that Helene came through, I went down to Homerville to be with my mom and dad, both in hospice care. We, and all of our neighbors, lost power, water, and phone service. Through the generosity of my dad’s pastor, we were able to get a generator to connect a fan and refrigerator to meet some short-term needs. The next day, the reality of the widespread impact became clear, and I realized that it would be weeks until my parents would have basic services reinstated. My mom had become unresponsive, so I began looking for a way to get her to a hospital. There were no ambulances available, and I couldn’t use my phone to call 911, but Mtn2Sea Ministry was able to use their satellite phone and to call and get a transport. We were able to move her into a hospital where she graciously passed to Heaven the next morning.

These stories are just a few of countless experiences. We can prepare for storms but often face circumstances that are beyond our control. And there are emergencies that happen during emergencies. I’m so grateful for the friends who offered their resources and support to my family last month. So many of them have continued to help our other neighbors, also without basic utilities and facing their own hardships.

In the height of the storm, one of our rural counties had 21,500 electric meters out and over 3,100 miles of lines to repair. Thankfully, most of our neighbors have regained power and are managing in the short-term.

It will take months and years for our communities to return to what they were, and it will be my pleasure to continue helping my neighbors rebuild their homes and lives. Our churches are helping with showing love by providing housing, food, labor, and other resources. It has been truly remarkable to witness. As my friend said, “you would be proud of how the church has responded!”

As you feel led, I ask you to continue supporting us by praying for the survivors, victims, and volunteers. Give to the organizations and churches on the ground who are bringing aid and hope. I am grateful to serve my neighbors. Please reach out to me if you’d like to help or have questions.