Joy Cove residents experience God’s protection

Hurricane Helene damaged infrastructure, businesses, and homes as it passed through Boone and the surrounding area. Hundreds were relocated in its aftermath. Regional resources were unprepared for the flash floods, landslides, and road collapses that followed. Usually, the foothills and mountains escape hurricanes, but this one pushed hundreds of miles inland and left massive destruction in its wake.

Located nineteen miles north of Boone is Baptist Children's Homes' (BCH) two Joy Cove Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities (IDD) homes— Lindsay Home for Women and Three Forks Home for Men. The drive to Joy Cove was treacherous to navigate after the storm quieted. But in the midst of the destruction, the long driveway up to the homes was undamaged.

Staff stayed awake during the night while residents slept, listening to the hurricane winds whipping. They could hear trees snapping on the back side of the mountain. It was terrible. But the next day, residents and care givers were surprised that there was little damage and only a few tree limbs in the yards.

"The homes sit high on a hill," Laura Combs, administrator (QP) for the two homes, recounts. "It was miraculous. Despite the chaos all around, the homes were minimally impacted and the eight residents were safe. It was their sanctuary. The Lord protected."

At the bottom of the drive, "it was like a war zone." The road to the right was washed out. Trees were down everywhere and mudslides washed across the landscape. The little church down the road was gone.

Without power or water, plans were made quickly to shelter the residents of both homes at Mills Home in Thomasville. The drive south to Boone the next day was bumper to bumper and lines at gas stations were long. The normal 20-minute drive to Boone took almost an hour and a half. Arriving at Little Cottage, they were welcomed by BCH leaders and Mills Home staff. Every need was met. Eight days later, they were able to return to their home.

"The men and ladies were amazing," Lindsay Home caregiver (DSP) Martha Whisnant says. "They knew we had a plan and that they were safe. Although there was some anxiousness, they remained calm. The IDD home residents' safety and well being are always our priority."

Seeing how the community was working together to help each other was inspiring. The two homes attend Brushy Fork Baptist Church located not far from Joy Cove. The storm sent water and debris onto the property, damaging the fellowship hall and leaving a thick layer of mud in the parking lot. Looking beyond their woes, church members began to clear things away to establish the church as a distribution hub. Residents from the homes joined others in volunteering.

Needed water and supplies were trucked in almost daily and unloaded. It was then divided and made available to people who remained in desperate need nearly two weeks after the storm.

"When you see how the storm impacted the area all around us," Martha says, "you see just how God meets every need, putting what you need or placing the right people to meet your need. You realize how the Lord is with you and helping you get through trying times."

Life has returned to normal in the Joy Cove homes. Breakfast and chores are completed early. Some residents have places to be, some have jobs. Others stay busy around the home. Everyone is back in place by dinner. The normal things are talked about but occasionally someone brings up the night of the big storm.

Written by  Jim  Edminson, Editor of Charity & Children