HUMBLED by HIS HAND from HURRICANE to HEART ATTACK, HOSPITAL to HOME. Personal account of HOPE & HEALING
From JD and Toni Smith: A little different update.
Friday Oct. 7th – As we, our team, and partners monitored Hurricane Matthew, JD began having serious health issues. We sent out immediate prayer requests to our closest advisors, mostly church and ministry leaders across the country. Obviously, there is never a good time for a heart attack (didn’t know that was what it was until Monday) but during the largest hurricane to hit the States in a decade was certainly not “convenient” for the leader of disaster relief organization.
However, God obviously had this in His Hand and was perfectly able to handle. So many people stepped up to assist not just personally but with the ministry. Relief efforts continued as normal (if that is such a thing!). Huge thanks to all our partners and amazing CitiIMPACT team. Toni monitored JD and hurricane headquarters became his hospital room!
- A CitiIMPACT basecamp was set up in Fayetteville, NC at Manna Church (wow, love these folks!) thanks to a great partnership with the ARC church network. We are reaching down to Lumberton and surrounding areas that are still suffering greatly from flooding and no clean water.
- Semi trucks full of water and supplies rolled – 26 as of this morning. Our cooking partners are in full gear, 15,000 meals and growing per day. Teams are signing up to serve.
Ministry can often be a lonely assignment. We’ve been so humbled and encouraged by the outpouring of support, love, visits, calls, texts, emails and especially prayers from all over the country. JD was able to come home yesterday and is recovering well with great hope for complete healing.
Working to set up sites now in Goldsboro as have had many requests. Also, senators calling us asking for help for their constituents. Obviously, the government, red cross, fema not getting it done. The Church is called to be His hands and feet. We are working as hard and fast as we can to get help to as many people as possible Funding for water and meals greatly appreciated. Text IMPACT to 444999 to give as well.
See a few photos of distribution below. Apologize for brief updates, we are so incredibly busy.
Sincere Appreciation,
Toni Smith