The Helping Hands—God’s Servants
By Sister Terry Fairley-Simpson, 2ndEpiscopal District
It’s not Superman, Ironman, or even the Hulk. It’s St. Luke AME Church in Fayetteville, North Carolina that is on Disaster Relief Patrol!
On Friday, October 5, 2018, the Rev. Artie Odom, first lady Mrs. Margie Odom, and members of St. Luke AME Church came to McCormick Chapel AME Church, in Lumberton, North Carolina, to feed and offer supplies to those who had been devastated by flooding yet again.
We experienced record-level flooding two years ago. With it came dislocation, loss of properties, emotional stress, and the uncertainty of what would happen next. Now, where hope was beginning to return, it had been replaced by panic, fear, and sadness. Just as many were getting their homes in order and lives back on track, another flood occurred to erase that progress. Humbly, again, St. Luke AME Church stepped up and came to serve our community and provide some much-needed relief.
The devastation of Hurricane Matthew was horrendous. Then, the flood of Hurricane Florence came along and many more homes were damaged or destroyed. Precious keepsakes collected by families for generations vanished. We can’t begin to measure the precious loss of lives. Though they may never be returned or replaced, help came in the form of St. Luke AME Church, who offered hope, love, peace of mind, and prayer without hesitation through their Disaster Relief Patrol.
We can begin to make new memories as we seek to get closer to God. As we seek him, we come together with his humble servants to serve with joy and love in our hearts.
First John 3:18 says, “Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. St. Luke AME Church lives up to this scripture by feeding those without food a delicious hot nutritious meal and bringing critical supplies for cleaning. They have provided the means for all to begin restoring their lives once again. That’s AMEs at their best!
We truly thank the members of St. Luke AME Church for their generous love, contributions, sweat equity, eagerness to serve, and willingness to be led by our Heavenly Father to bless and inspire. It is a true example of Christian love. To God be the glory and many thanks, love, and gratitude for what you have done and are doing in the mighty name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior.
