United States (MNN) — Almost a month after hurricanes Helene and Milton ran through southeastern United States., it’s barely on the news cycle anymore. We can’t forget that amid conflicts in the Middle East and a vicious U.S. election cycle, there’s a disaster on the home front of U.S. citizens.
The death toll stands at 224 men, women and children. On Sunday night, at least 1,400 people were living in shelters across affected states. As of Tuesday, more than 5,200 households were still without power in North Carolina. Others such as residents of Asheville, North Carolina are under boil advisories or have no running water at all.
Photo of Asheville, North Carolina after Hurricane Helene, October 2024 (Photo courtesy of NCDOTcommunications – https://www.flickr.com/photos/ncdot/54057568976/, CC BY 2.0)
The exhaustion and discouragement of trying to put homes and lives back together have led to a growing call for hope — met and answered by ministries sending God’s Word.
John Pudaite with Bibles For The World says they are excited to be partnering with international organizations active in relief, recovery and rebuilding work among hurricane survivors.
“They had just reached out to us and said, ‘We need some scriptures that would go along with the relief efforts that we are doing,’” Pudaite says.
Samaritan’s Purse and Water Mission are two of these partner organizations. Bibles For The World has sent one of their own team members to serve in the rebuilding efforts along with the Scripture distribution in North Carolina.
“It is a small drop in the bucket, but there are so many needs. You mentioned the physical needs, or the needs for electricity, for water, for food, for shelter, but at the same time, we want to be there providing God’s Word,” Pudaite says.
“His Word is the only thing that really can provide the recovery, the relief, the comfort, and the hope — eternal hope — that these people need, after many of them have lost everything that they have.”
The need is active, and this is a gospel opportunity. You can get involved in it through prayer and through giving to send more Bibles.
(Graphic courtesy of Bibles For The World)
“Continue to pray for those relief teams that are out there working,” Pudaite says.
“Be praying that God can speak through this tragedy and transform lives, even as they start to rebuild their lives. If we can provide God’s Word to give them fresh hope and comfort and strength during this time of loss, we’re doing everything we can to do that.”
To make a gift for more Bibles for hurricane survivors, designate “hurricane Bibles” in the Gift Detail Note box on Bibles For The World’s donation page here.
Header photo of military personnel in Asheville, North Carolina after Helene courtesy of Bill McMannis via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0.
