There’s a different kind of peace that envelops the campus of Connie Maxwell Children’s Ministries.
It’s the kind of peace that comes from the unmistakable presence of God, a quiet that can be found when he draws near.
On September 27, Hurricane Helene’s touchdown may have disrupted the calm of the Greenwood Campus, uprooting century-old trees, destroying vehicles, and damaging cottages, but it didn’t disrupt the peace that came from knowing God was with us—both during and in the aftermath of the storm.
God’s protection was evident in the lives of one family in the Family Care program, when a tree fell on their bedroom during the storm. The children were safe, and the Family Care mom suffered a broken nose and a gash to her face, but has since recovered.
Diana Johnson, Director of Family Care, attributes the family’s safety to God. “We’re very thankful and blessed because the outcome could have been so much worse. God is good,” Johnson said. Shortly after the storm, Connie Maxwell’s campus became a central hub of hope for the Greenwood community. Hundreds of volunteers and multiple churches and ministries, both local and from across the nation, were stationed on campus to provide relief from the impact of Helene.
Cleanup efforts began immediately, with more than 600 dump truck loads of debris removed from the campus.
In the days and months following Helene, the generosity of donors and churches led to hundreds of gifts to Connie Maxwell totaling $225,094 to assist with relief efforts.
Although insurance claims provided coverage to the damaged homes and structures on campus, the financial toll of clearing roads and removing dozens of massive trees and storm debris has proven costly. Still today, Maxwell Farms has hundreds of trees and miles of fencing in need of repair!
After accounting for designated gifts and insurance funds, the economic loss to Connie Maxwell is estimated to be around $255,617.
Essential repairs have now commenced on the damaged cottages. Every cleared path and every restored structure is a testament to the compassion and generosity of faithful donors and volunteers.
While there is still plenty of work remaining on the road to recovery, the prayers and gifts from God’s people have continued to make a difference! We have seen HIS hand of protection and provision each day since the storm.
No matter the storm or what the future may hold, we know the peace and presence of God is with us every step of the way.
Together, we can rebuild and continue providing hope and healing for vulnerable children and families.
