Union Presbyterian's work team and Canton Presbyterian's youth. Photo: Billy Wilson

Our second trip to Clyde to help with disaster recovery brought the word "together" special meaning. On our way Sunday night, the Canton Presbyterian Church youth group invited us there for supper. Not only the youth but also church members warmly greeted us along with their wonderful pastor, Beverly Brock. They fed us a great spaghetti supper and warmed our hearts with friendship. We had come
"together" with them.

We would lodge at the New Life Baptist Camp in Waynesville but were not sure if the Baptist men would prepare our meals or we would be responsible. Upon our arrival, we found a note letting us know that all our meals would be provided. They came "together" for us. What a joy!

Our second day evening devotions centered on Matthew 8:18-20. Jesus had told his disciples that the Son of Man has no place to lay his head. But God provided for his needs, just as he did for ours.

We were off the next morning after devotions to meet with the work team coordinators, Sue and Jasper Evans, in Clyde. Our mission was to continue work on a home beside the river. Hanging doors, finishing sheetrock, doing trim work, and painting was our call. The lady, whose house we were working in, was recovering from surgery in rehab and hoped to be able to walk again. She had run a day care in the house, but would no longer be able to do that.

We were reacquainted with an old friend from our previous trip, Bob Suggs from Hickory, who joined us for some evening devotions and helped look after our needs. We had come "together" again.

Picture this: ten team members working "together" in a 1,500 square feet upstairs inside a house, passing back and forth in a hallway, busy as ants, and getting things done. Courtesy was a great asset displayed by all.

Never before on a mission trip had we experienced meeting the coordinators for the next team coming in to work on a continuing project. We had important information that needed to be shared such as paint mixture, special areas needing work, and just a few more details. Again, God brought us "together". On Thursday, our last day, in walks Buzz Durham and Bill Corbin from Grace Covenant in Asheville to review the progress in the house. They had come to gather information for their team. They planned to finish the house. Two of our team members worked with Buzz on a team in Edenton, North Carolina, and Bill had been up to Clyde with their team at the same time we were there in December. God had just worked it all out for us to come "together" again to do His work. Thanks be to God.

In Christ,

Bud & Ruth Whitson, Jim Deaton, Steve Ratchford, Sally Kendrick, Faye Harrell, Tammy Biddix, Lewis Brooks, Susan & Billy Wilson