WAYNESVILLE, N.C. — For the first time in more than eight months, Benny and Keva Messner’s home was filled with joy, laughter, and family Monday, as they walked in the door for the very first time.
The Messners are among thousands of people who lost everything when Hurricane Helene hit in September. While they did have flood insurance, their daughter, Amy Morgan, says she didn’t think it would cover the repairs needed. At the time, she said she didn’t know what they would do.
“I had a conversation with them about foreclosing on this property,” Morgan said. “My Dad kept the faith. He said, ‘We'll see what God has in store.'”
Shortly after that, Amy received a call from Franklin Graham, who knew her well from the 15 years she served as a personal nurse to his parents, the Rev. Billy Graham and Ruth Graham. She says when Franklin Graham heard of her parents' situation, he sent the Samaritan’s Purse team to help.
“Franklin Graham did say, you know, she helped my mom and dad. Go see what we can do to help her mom and dad,” said Luther Harrison with Samaritan’s Purse, a Christian aid organization based in Boone, North Carolina.
Related: Samaritan's Purse starts rebuilding homes in western North Carolina
After crews demolished the Messners' unsalvageable home in December, they got to work, laying a new foundation and building a new house. It came with a few upgrades on the inside, including a dishwasher, an appliance Keva Messner says she’s never had.
“I'm blessed. I know it's hard to believe, but they got it done,” Benny Messner said.“I'm blessed. I know it's hard to believe, but they got it done,” Benny Messner said.
But it isn’t just the Messners the organization was able to help. Since Samaritan’s Purse got on the street, some of the Messners' neighbors have been able to sign up for their own home improvements after the storm.
“God built this house,” Morgan said. “It's going to be outreach to this community.”
Morgan says it's been emotional for her to see the legacy of the Rev. Billy Graham change the lives of her family and neighbors as they rebuild.
“I'm just so grateful that they have a home again. It's their home,” Morgan said. “It's on their property. It's paid in full. The Lord has just blessed them ... and I give God the glory for that.
Samaritan’s Purse says it continues to do projects across western North Carolina.