Members One of Another
By Tammy Hopson
Mitchell County
Her name is Morgan. She walked into the shelter after Hurricane Helene ready to help. Only 19 years old and exhausted from her work as a CNA she could not rest without getting involved. Her wide-eyed expression displayed eagerness and her countenance radiated the light of Jesus. The newly opened shelter had no medical personnel when Morgan arrived. She explained that she was coming from the hospital and had access to medical supplies if we needed them. She asked about the number of people that were there and if there was room for more. She looked around and took note of the things she thought were needed and then left.
But she came back later and with her were three fragile people in the back seat of her own car. She indicated that the local hospital was full and only taking critical patients. We all knew the hurricane had left them shorthanded and in dire straits. With her, she brought packs of medical supplies for all of the residents After the new people were settled and she felt sure they were alright Morgan left to go check on her own family. She returned several times to the shelter during the time it was open, bringing supplies and checking on the needs of the people.
As more people came into the shelter so did others to help. Local people brought carloads and truckloads of supplies and food. Some came in to see if they could lend a hand while others just came and started working to cook meals, sort supplies, and take care of the hurting. Rescue teams from other states started to come in and eventually medical personnel arrived. It was only a matter of days until our whole area was receiving assistance from the states around us and possibly from the whole country. Even now as I write this article there are people everywhere helping in any way they can.
I am reminded again that God has designed His people to be His body and today I see what it looks like in action more than ever before. It is being illustrated so beautifully around me every day now. We are a body.
It is known in medical science how the human body responds when it incurs trauma. After an injury, every single cell system in our body slows down and notices one of its members is hurting. All reserves are then sent quickly to the area to aid in healing. The body’s first natural response to injury or physical trauma is inflammation. Swelling and redness take place to isolate the injury and protect it by setting up a barrier so nothing harmful can get in. Debris are carried off and damaged cells are removed from the area allowing new tissue to grow in their place. The immune system is instantly activated to fight off any further damage. While the area is in pain and hurting, chemicals are released through the body ultimately facilitating the healing process. All systems conserve what they need and all available resources arrive at the injured location until healing takes place and the body intact.
This is what is happening around us. Our beautiful Blue Ridge has certainly been injured. We have been traumatized after experiencing one of the greatest natural disasters known to this part of the world. But what have we seen? What have we witnessed? We are watching other members of our body coming to our rescue. The world around us has slowed down and noticed our pain. They have inflamed us with help and compassion. They have poured in resources to sustain and nurture us. They are assisting in cleaning up the debris and installing reinforcements for our protection. They are clearing the old muddied and damaged ground so new things can grow. They are taking from their own reserves to rebuild us. We are experiencing an outpouring of love in our area that many have never witnessed. This is how the body should work, and it is working.
During my last day at the shelter, I saw Morgan again. She came to tell me that through her experiences after the hurricane, God has changed her calling. While she was currently studying nursing she now feels the call to be an EMT. She wants to be the part of our body that responds to emergencies. With tears in her eyes, she told me that she knew God was working through her and she was not doing it alone. There is no doubt in my mind that God used her hands and her heart for the people at the shelter during those days. I also feel absolutely sure that no matter what Morgan ends up doing, no matter where God calls her, He will use her to heal His people. She is a member of the body of Christ.
I don’t know why we had to endure Hurricane Helene but I do know with the continued help of others and with the love we feel from the world around us, we will heal. To those who have come to help us, who have suffered with us, we are members one of another and when we are whole again, together we will all rejoice.
With gratitude, we thank you all.
“We being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. “ Romans 12: 5
“And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; or if one member is honored, all the members rejoice …” 1 Corinthians 12:26
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Tammy Hopson has been a Mitchell County resident since 1992 and lives in Red Hill with her family. She is a mother of six children and grandmother of 14. She has been a member of Hoyle Memorial Christian Fellowship in Lawndale, NC since 1992 and helps lead The HMCF Youth Group.
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