After a devastating tornado, this organization stepped up and rebuilt their homes
In 2021, after surviving one of the most dangerous and deadliest tornados in Kentucky history – a catastrophic EF-4 tornado that cut right through Mayfield, Kentucky, 16 families were overjoyed to discover a Christian ministry was building them a brand new home.
The deadly tornado destroyed 1,300 homes, businesses, and churches. Now, thanks to Samaritan’s Purse, these families have a new place to call home.
“After the storm, I was here on Christmas Eve and we served a dinner,” Samaritan’s Purse President Franklin Graham told those at the Sept. 29 home dedication. “We began to look at the despair and the hopelessness that so many people were going through. I was talking to the Lord and asking what can we do, how can we help? How can we help make a difference? God provided the funding and we realized He wanted us to do something. We decided to come here and build 60 homes. We come here today not only to thank God but to dedicate this property, these houses, and the families who will be living here, we dedicate them all to God and His glory.”
Town officials including the mayor came out for the opening of the first 16 homes on September 29, bringing joy and hope again to a community that had all but been decimated by the tornado.
“There were so many people here who had no hope and this is the new hope right here,” Graham continued. “And that hope is found in God and His Son Jesus Christ. We wanted a place in this community that spelled out hope.”
Thousands of volunteers and donors contributed to the efforts, which caught the attention of the whole community including Mayor Kathy Stewart who attended the opening and said, “On December 12 [2021], the Mayfield fire chief said to me that Samaritan’s Purse was coming and that’s an army,” she said. “To realize they were headed our way, this army that was going to help us recover, was a comforting thought. And they’ve been comforting us ever since. This army has become a part of our community. Their footprint will forever be upon us and you will forever be in our hearts.”
New homeowners were overjoyed at the news and will receive ongoing support through the local church including, “Foundations of Hope,” a 6-week course facilitated by local churches to teach stewardship and financial management to the new homeowners.
Each home comes fully furnished along with a storm room, capable of withstanding a category Ef-5 tornado.
The development continues in New Hope Acres with a total of 60 homes planned by Samaritan’s Purse.
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