Disaster relief in the mountains isn’t glamorous. It’s cold, muddy, and exhausting. Yet, joy flourishes—not because the circumstances are easy, but because of the countless volunteers who seek the Lord and pour themselves into serving others.

This Thanksgiving, we experienced that joy firsthand. Our team had the privilege of packing meals for EMS personnel working through the holiday. The day before, a group of missionary kids sat around a table, markers and stickers in hand, searching their Bibles for encouraging scriptures. Their mission? To decorate food containers with messages of hope for those who would receive them.

On Thanksgiving morning, my children eagerly joined the effort. They jumped into line to portion food, apply their hand-decorated labels, and share what Thanksgiving and being a missionary kid meant to them. Watching them serve filled me with overwhelming gratitude. In that moment, I felt God’s steadfastness—even in the small things like holiday plans and my children’s expectations.

But if I’m honest, there was a moment that morning when I didn’t want to serve. I wanted to stay home, wear cozy clothes, and take a day off. Yet, God nudged my heart, reminding me of a phrase a dear friend often says: “Life is ministry, and ministry is life.” That gentle truth shifted my perspective.

As we poured ourselves into serving the EMS community, God poured right back into us. Volunteers unexpectedly arrived with a lavish feast for our team—a tangible outpouring of generosity that left me in awe.

I’m constantly reminded that Adventures Relief isn’t alone in this mission. There’s an army of believers, united in faith, bringing hope to the brokenhearted. What a delight it is to live out this abundant life, surrounded by people who embody the love of Christ.

This Christmas, my hope is that you know there’s a seat for you here.

• If your heart is to give, know that your generosity sparks hope and equips volunteers to restore lives and communities.
• If prayer is your offering, know this: it’s one of the greatest blessings you can share.

However God stirs your heart, we’re thankful for your partnership. Together, we’re building something extraordinary—hope, one step at a time.

“You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” – Psalm 16:11

In the heart of Black Mountain / Swannanoa Valley, we recently met Vince, a man whose story reminded us of both the fragility of life and the strength of the human spirit. Vince owned a modest duplex that he rented out to two tenants—a retired veteran and a woman. When the storm hit, Vince said the floodwaters rose higher and higher until the house was completely submerged, leaving his tenants trapped inside.

As the water swallowed the duplex to the roofline, the tenants climbed to safety on the rooftop. But for the veteran, who was already battling PTSD, the stress became overwhelming. In a panic, he jumped into the raging waters and was carried away by the current. Miraculously, Vince found him alive the next day, shaken but safe. Both tenants survived, but the duplex, like every other house in the neighborhood, was destroyed—a total loss.

When we met Vince, he stood in the wreckage of what was once his home. Yet, what struck us most wasn’t the devastation but Vince himself. Despite everything, he wasn’t broken. He was kind, hopeful, and incredibly honest. He shared with us that he wasn’t a Christian and had always been skeptical of religion. But something was shifting. Vince had seen Christians show up in his darkest moment—not preaching, but serving. They were living their faith by helping, loving, and restoring, and it made him wonder. Wonder if there might be something more.

Vince’s story isn’t over, and neither is the work of restoration in the Swannanoa Valley. He’s seen Jesus—not in words, but in action. And that changes everything.

Join Us in Restoring Hope

As winter sets in here in North Carolina, temperatures are dropping, but the needs of the community are rising. Vince is just one of many whose lives are being touched, and we believe God has more to do in his story—and in this valley.

Together, step by step, we can be part of restoring hope. Let’s meet the need, guided by our faithful Lord, and bring light to the darkness. If you feel led to support our mission and empower volunteers to serve free of cost, click here to give. 

Imagine the impact of removing every obstacle to serving. When we show up—not striving, but surrendered—God moves in powerful ways.

The aftermath of Hurricane Helene left a trail of devastation—homes battered, lives uprooted, and the comforting rhythms of “normal” replaced by chaos. But even in the wreckage, another story is unfolding. A story of generosity. Of resilience. Of beauty rising from brokenness.

Deb witnessed it firsthand. She met a Marine veteran whose life mirrored the storms he had endured. First, he lost his job. Then, a hurricane sent a tree crashing onto his truck—insurance denied the claim. His home and shed were destroyed, his livelihood tools reduced to rubble.

By all accounts, his life was upended. Yet, that’s not what Deb remembers most.

What struck her wasn’t the destruction—it was the family. Jessie, Hannah, and Callie leaned into their faith, radiating strength and resilience. They weren’t just surviving; they were shining.

In their hardship, Deb saw something extraordinary: hope.

As the mother of a Marine herself, Deb felt an instant connection. She knows the kind of grit it takes to endure storms—both literal and figurative. And in this family, she found a profound reminder: even when everything feels broken, beauty can emerge.

The Gift That Can’t Be Destroyed

Here in Black Mountain / Swannanoa Valley, generosity is tangible. Storehouses overflow with toys and gifts, ready to bring a sense of “normal” to families this Christmas. Yet, as we serve, we’re reminded of a deeper truth: the most generous gift of all was given over 2,000 years ago. No hurricane can destroy it.

The gift of Jesus—His love, His grace, His hope—is on full display here. You can see it in the hands of volunteers, in the joy of helping others, and in the resilience of those rebuilding their lives.

This isn’t just disaster relief—it’s a reflection of the One who gave it all for us.

Join Us in Restoring Hope

Every family we meet carries a piece of this beauty-in-brokenness story. And the work is far from over. There’s room for you in this mission. Here’s how you can help:

• Give generously. Your support fuels hope and empowers volunteers to rebuild lives.
• Pray faithfully. Prayer is the foundation of everything we do, and it moves mountains.

This Christmas, as we celebrate the ultimate gift of Jesus, we invite you to join us in this extraordinary story. Together, we can rebuild homes, restore hope, and reflect the beauty that comes when faith meets action.

Because even in brokenness, there is joy. And in giving, we reflect the heart of the One who gave it all.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

In disaster relief, there’s a temptation to strive—to throw ourselves at the chaos, hoping to fix what’s broken, to fill every gap, to meet every need. We convince ourselves that we can do it all because, well, others have it worse, right? But here’s the truth: striving steals peace. 

And peace isn’t ours to manufacture. It’s God’s to give.

This peace isn’t the kind the world offers—not financial security or trouble-free days. It’s deeper. It’s the kind that shows up in the chaos, the kind that calms the storm inside even when the storm outside rages on. It’s the peace of surrender, the peace of crying out and knowing Jesus is the answer.

That’s the kind of peace the shepherds heard about that first Christmas when angels lit up the night sky with good news. And that’s the peace we’re called to carry to the broken places.

Right now, in Black Mountain / Swannanoa Valley, the needs are overwhelming. Homes are gone. Lives are upended. The recovery is long and hard. People need food, shelter, and stability. But they also need something more. 

They need the peace only Jesus can provide—the peace that says, “You are not alone,” even when life feels like rubble.

We’ve been called to bring that peace—to step into both the spiritual and physical restoration of this place. But we can’t do it alone. That’s why we’re dreaming big.

Our Goal: to raise enough funds so that every willing hand, every eager heart, can join this disaster relief mission for free. 

Imagine what could happen if we remove every obstacle to service. When we show up—not striving, but surrendered—God shows up too. And His peace? It’s always enough. 

Let’s make it happen, together.