GOD’S PIT CREW ANNOUNCES TWO MORE FAMILIES WELCOMED INTO NEW HOMES FOLLOWING HURRICANE HELENE
DANVILLE, VA. (July 2, 2026) – Nearly two years after Hurricane Helene forever changed their lives, two Western North Carolina families are no longer living in uncertainty. God’s Pit Crew recently welcomed both the Hensley and Hayes families into fully furnished new homes in Green Mountain, North Carolina, provided at no cost to the families through the generosity of faithful donors and dedicated volunteers.
For both families, the home dedications marked the end of a long season of loss and the beginning of a new chapter filled with hope.
When Hurricane Helene unleashed catastrophic flooding across Western North Carolina, Connie Hensley experienced losing everything her family owned.
“The home we had was just gone. Everything was just gone,” recalled Hensley. “We found bits and pieces of stuff, but…”
The day flood warnings were issued, Hensley said she and her family almost stayed home.
“If it hadn’t been for the kids begging us to leave, we probably wouldn’t be here today to tell the story,” she shared.
Since the storm, the Hensley family has spent nearly two years living in a camper while waiting for the opportunity to rebuild. That difficult season came to an emotional close as they walked through the front door of their new home.
“It’s unreal, it’s just incredible,” Hensley said. “Without everyone that helped, we wouldn’t have this. We’ve been in a camper for almost two years.”
Just down the road, the Hayes family experienced a different, but equally devastating journey. Hurricane Helene destroyed both their apartment and the business they depended on for income, leaving them to face overwhelming loss.
“So many people lost so much, and God spared us,” Hayes reflected. “We couldn’t have gone out of the building with the rushing water. We would have died. God was faithful.”
As they tried to recover, hope became increasingly difficult to hold onto.
“We had just gotten to the point of giving up,” shared Hayes. “We lost our income, we lost our furniture, mold set in… it was enough.”
That discouragement turned to joy as Sharon stepped inside the fully furnished home prepared especially for her family.
“And my goodness, look what y’all have done,” she said with a smile as she looked around the new home.
Speaking to the volunteers who made the home possible, Hayes expressed her gratitude.
“We love you, and we pray for you. We would like to also help when there’s opportunities. God has used you, and I can’t believe how faithful people have been. It’s just amazing to me.”
God’s Pit Crew President, Randy Johnson, said providing homes is about restoring stability and allowing families to begin rebuilding their lives immediately.
“These families have endured so much, and their recovery is still ongoing,” Johnson said. “Our crew’s ability to provide these homes fully furnished allows families to step into stability straightaway.”
Since Hurricane Helene devastated communities across Western North Carolina, God’s Pit Crew has remained committed to walking alongside families. Each home is thoughtfully furnished so families can begin life again the moment they receive their keys.
As additional homes are being prepared for more families still waiting, God’s Pit Crew is inviting individuals, churches, businesses, and community groups to help furnish future homes by donating through the organization’s Walmart Relief Registry located on the ministry’s website.
Items including bedding, bathroom necessities, kitchen utensils, cookware, small appliances, and other everyday essentials can be purchased directly from the registry and shipped to God’s Pit Crew headquarters, where they will be placed into homes before families arrive.
