On May 11, the town of Chester and surrounding areas experienced a storm that was described as the worst since Hurricane Hugo. Ninety-mile-per-hour winds toppled trees and scattered debris, blocking most streets around town.
Wayne Foster is the Chester Association disaster relief unit leader, and was a part of response efforts following 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina. He described the damage in his own community as severe.
“When it’s home, it is emotional,” he said. Foster and members of his unit responded immediately, working a day and a half to clear fallen limbs and trees before another unit arrived to help. For two weeks, about 60 volunteers from 16 disaster relief units worked in the clean-up effort. While removing some of the physical barriers caused by the storm, one volunteer led a resident to Christ.
“We had one soul saved because a disaster relief volunteer shared the gospel,” said Ted Hodges, director of missions for Chester Association. “The damage that took place was overwhelming, but, more than that, I was overwhelmed by the love that these teams showed the people in our area. This has opened their eyes to see that people here in our county have a love for Jesus Christ and for our community.”
First Church, Chester, where Foster is a member, became a staging site immediately after the storm, housing and feeding the disaster relief units. Columbia Metro Association’s unit quickly delivered a shower for working volunteers. Foster said it meant a lot to see his fellow disaster relief volunteers – including those from the Moriah, Pee Dee, Savannah River, Aiken and Saluda associations – join in helping his community.
Until going through disaster relief training in 1994, Foster said he “searched for a long time for something that I could do for the Lord.”
“Now, through disaster relief, I get more blessings out of helping these people than I ever give,” he said.
As of May 20, there were no disaster relief units at work in Chester, but Foster has organized a one-day effort to finish the fallen trees and hanging limbs that remain around town. About 14 volunteers are scheduled to help that day to finish the work they started.
“The Lord has given us everything we have ever needed,” Foster said. “It will take big effort, but on June 11 we hope to get it all done.” – SCBC