Rebuilding After the Storm: Mayfield, Kentucky

In December 2021, a deadly tornado leveled Mayfield, Kentucky. Samaritan’s Purse immediately responded to help families start to recover. While the initial cleanup phase is over, there is still so much work to be done. Samaritan’s Purse is rebuilding and repairing homes, installing storm shelters, and providing new furniture to families who lost everything.

In this episode of On the Ground with Samaritan’s Purse, a podcast correspondent travels to Mayfield to meet families who are receiving our assistance. First, Amy Long and her son, Nickolas, share about the horror of being in the middle of the storm.

“You lose words. You can’t explain it. It’s terrifying.” – Nickolas Long

Recounting that night brings back strong emotions and fear for both mother and son. They are thankful to be alive and share that the frightening experience is something they will never forget.

Next, Kristy Graham speaks with Tom Woodward. Tom lost everything in the storm, but his faith is still strong. He shares that on the night the tornado tore through his community, he went to a neighboring town to wait out the storm in a basement with his son. When he tried to return to his home, he had great difficulty reaching his property due to several downed trees and power lines, but he was able to get close enough to see that everything he owned was gone.

“I discovered that I had what I had on my back.” – Tom Woodward

Samaritan’s Purse is building a new home for Tom. He sees this as a direct blessing from God.

“God turned a used mobile home into a two bedroom home. Other people can build homes, but they can’t build it with love like this one has been built.” – Tom Woodward

Each day, teams of Samaritan’s Purse volunteers are working in the community to help families rebuild and get back on their feet. Tom works alongside the volunteers at his house, and he is overwhelmed with gratitude. His prayer for his new home is that it will be a place where he can bless others.

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever” Psalm 23:5-6 (ESV).

Tina, one of the volunteers working on Tom’s home, shares why she feels compelled to serve. She wants to be the hands and feet of Jesus.

In addition to rebuilding homes, Samaritan’s Purse is also providing furniture replacement to families in need. Suzanne, who oversees this project, has the joy of calling families to let them know they have been approved for this assistance. She celebrates with them, cries with them, and encourages them with prayer.

Stephen, our podcast correspondent, was able to be a part of furniture delivery and witness the relief and thankfulness in these family’s eyes as Samaritan’s Purse delivered new furniture. Amy and Nickolas were one of the families who received this gift.

Samaritan’s Purse is also clearing about 60 acres of land to build a new subdivision. As the land was being cleared, Sid, a volunteer running a bulldozer, encouraged others to get involved.

“Get in the truck! If you don’t get in the truck, you can’t serve…if you don’t take that step, you’ll miss out. You’ll absolutely miss out on that blessing.” – Sid

Since the start of our relief efforts in western Kentucky, Samaritan’s Purse has partnered with First Assembly of God in Mayfield. Our ministry there is about so much more than building and repairing homes—it’s about reminding people that there is still hope. Pastor Brad Morris shares how he has seen the storm bring people back to the Gospel, which is the motivating force behind the work of Samaritan’s Purse—providing physical relief while sharing the hope that can only be found in the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.