No man is an island.

7-16-2028 It was another exhausting but satisfying day in Tennessee. We completed the drop ceiling in Holly’s basement, finished installing ceiling lights and smoke detectors, did touch up painting, helped spruce up her yard and planted some grass seed and hung a tree swing for her children. We walked away today knowing she had a fully usable home that was safe and clean. 

We were only a small part of this job. There were many, many others that came before us. There were those who did the initial clean up from the flooding , torn out water damaged materials, reframed walls, patched flooring, did electrical work, ceiling work, hung drywall, and painted. We were told a group of high school boys on a previous mission trip had the onerous task of breaking through a portion of the cement block wall to make an opening for an appropriate egress window. I can picture those kids swinging sledgehammers and power lifting rubble like it was a sporting event. (I am very grateful for them and that WE did not need to perform THAT task…lol). 

Our ten hands put the finishing touches on this project, but hundreds of hands contributed. This includes hands that were not on-sight or even in Tennessee. Hands of the folks who cooked/sent food to make sure we had a delicious warm meal to start and end our days. Hands of the folks who made sure we had comfortable accommodations to rest after a tiring day of work. Hands of those who donated money, so we were able to have the funds to support this mission. Hands of those who lifted us and the people of Roan Mountain up in prayer to support us spiritually through this busy week. 

When a family says thank you to us for helping them, they are really saying thank you to all of you as well. This is not an endeavor that can be accomplished by a few… they say it takes a village to raise a child; well, it takes community to help lift up those who have experienced tragedy. We not only gave Holly and Emma safer homes to live in, but we were also told we gave them hope. Hope of a better life after the devastation from hurricane Helene. Hope that there are people who are willing to reach out, help and give them a hand up so they can move onward in their lives and not just exist.

It is very sad to see people going through hard times -whether that be  loss of a home, loss of a loved one, or physical, mental, or emotional hard times.

However, what is truly heartbreaking is those folks needing to go through those hard times alone…when there is no one willing to reach out to help and support them during their time of need. 

Hopefully we have inspired you to seek out opportunities to help others or to continue to do so if you currently are for … No (wo)man is an island!

Julie Simko