Cadets Experience the Impact of Disaster Service
First and second year cadets from the Evangeline Booth College had the opportunity to deploy with emergency disaster services (EDS) during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Serving meals, distributing cleanup kits, and providing emotional and spiritual care to survivors gave them the opportunity to put their love for others and hours of training into action, seeing first-hand what being a Salvation Army officer is all about.
“I met a lady named Vicky. When she pulled up to our RRU (rapid response unit) she identified The Salvation Army logos and said with tears in her eyes ‘I’d knew you’d be here!’ Vicky shared with me her struggles; her house was demolished and even though she had insurance, she still had to pay all her bills and now a hotel bill and an insurance deductible. When all was said and done, her family of four was incapable of buying hot meals. She cried with me for a short while, and after a prayer she drove away thankful for the work of The Salvation Army.” – Cadet Glen Andress
“What disaster meant to me was being the hands and feet of Jesus. Going in and helping these communities face the unknown together. I witnessed beautiful testimony even in the midst of hard times. I saw communities bring their last even when they lost everything. I was part of a humbling time and have been blessed. This disaster was not my first, but it changed my whole perspective of what it means to truly live as the body of Christ.” – Cadet Chelsea Carter
“I have never experienced my cup being drained and filled at the same time before. I was grateful that God allowed me to serve in the communities in North Carolina. My ministry and my life will be changed forever.” – Cadet Christopher Roman
“Although the community may have seemed to fall, God has woven this community in unity and proven that wrong.” – Cadet Aniyah Downey
“It is the eyes of those passing by in their cars that I will take along with me. The eyes with the look of hopelessness as they drove towards me. The way the eyes of those people changed as they quietly lipped ‘The Salvation Army’ realizing who it was that we were. The way hope returned into their eyes while they stared at me standing in the middle of that parking lot.” – Cadet Brian Shea
“Even in the midst of this disaster and tragedy, you can see the hand of God moving within His people to restore what has been broken. You see hope!” – Cadet Corina Stegall
“EDS deployment was a unique opportunity that humbled me and reminded me to be thankful and joyful in all situations. It was great to see whole communities come together and unite to help each other in their time of need.” – Cadet Heather Simpson
“With this being my first disaster relief, I had mixed emotions. There was sadness looking at so much destruction and seeing faces as we were serving. I prayed with some people because I knew they wanted prayer. You could tell how some were trying hard not to cry as they were saying ‘thank you’ for the service we were providing. There was great joy watching the communities working together helping each other, and we were able to help them.” – Cadet Aaron Simpson