Samaritan’s Purse gifts a fully furnished home to a couple who lost everything when Hurricane Helene hit in 2024.
It had been pouring for days. The power went out across Asheville, North Carolina, and Mary and Tommy Moss began stocking up on food and supplies to sustain them until the lights came back on.
They never imagined that Hurricane Helene would unleash its fury on their quiet mountain town.
Mary and Tommy Moss’s home was swept away by the Swannanoa River during Hurricane Helene in 2024.
The couple awoke early on Sept. 27, 2024, to the sounds of a large tree collapsing in the backyard. Floodwater was racing down the hill above their house, uprooting any trees in its way.
Because of the torrential downpour, the Swannanoa River—about 100 feet away—was overflowing and standing in their yard.
Mary and Tommy scrambled into their car with nothing but a few thrown-together bags of clothing and nonperishable food. They made their escape up the hill, but a fallen tree blocked them off from the connecting road. While they decided what to do next, neighbors called out to them, inviting them inside a house safely out of the raging river’s reach.
Families watched together as the water climbed up past the homes below—including Mary and Tommy’s. “How are we ever going to clean that up?” Mary wondered.
The wind and rain intensified, completely obscuring their view. They frantically searched for their home, straining to catch a glimpse of its green paint in the muddy ocean.
But it was nowhere to be found. It had been swept downstream.
They had lived there all 40 years of marriage. And it was their only connection to their son, who died of a genetic disease as a child.
“That was everything we had of him,” Mary said.
They watched as their neighbors’ houses were uprooted by the current and collided into one another. The sound of crunching wood sent needles down their spines.
“Eleven houses gone completely,” Tommy said.
The Journey Home
“This entire neighborhood was wiped away,” said Tim Tripp, an assistant superintendent with Samaritan’s Purse. “This rebuild is an opportunity for Christ to shine.”
A volunteer puts the final touches on the Mosses’ new home.
Nearly two years ago, Hurricane Helene ravaged areas across western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee, destroying thousands of homes and businesses and changing millions of lives forever. Samaritan’s Purse is still providing relief to families by rebuilding, repairing, and replacing homes that were lost in the storm.
“People felt that after the initial response, people forgot about western North Carolina,” said Daniel Gerolimatos, a local volunteer from Asheville. “Samaritan’s Purse didn’t.”
Our team connected with the Mosses and learned that since the hurricane, Mary had foot and ankle surgery that limited her mobility, and Tommy was put on dialysis earlier this year for kidney failure.
“Being able to do anything to alleviate their suffering and put them back on a better course—that’s exciting to me,” Samaritan’s Purse lead foreman Wade Withrow said.
Samaritan’s Purse leadership was eager to bless them with a home as soon as possible, and on July 20, the work began at full speed. Two of our foremen came together to efficiently produce a quality home in Jesus’ Name, directing two U.S. Rebuild teams and about 100 volunteers who traveled from all over the country. They worked around one another to quickly perform tasks such as installing pipes and cables, and framing and flooring.
“There is a real camaraderie around what the Lord is doing and how great it is to be part of it,” Daniel said.
Samaritan’s Purse staff and volunteers prayed with Mary, Tommy, and Dallas over their new home.
As the teams worked onsite, panelized walls were pre-assembled in a nearby facility to expedite the production process. The Mosses and their neighbors enjoyed watching the construction every day from a neighbor’s house where they were staying. “It has been very fast—Samaritan’s Purse knows what they’re talking about,” Mary said. “One day there’s a floor and the next day the walls are up!”
The house is equipped with an easy access ramp up to the house—standing six feet above flood level—and an accessible shower for the couple’s convenience. “Samaritan’s Purse has been a Godsend,” Mary said.
We praise God that we were able to build Mary and Tommy’s home in just 27 workdays! And we praise Him for the opportunity to care for them as they continue to walk through trials with their health.
“This is a house that love built,” Tim said. “Hopefully, every time they walk through the door, they’ll just be reminded of God’s faithfulness and goodness to them.”
Home at Last
On Aug. 25, family and neighbors gathered with the Mosses to celebrate a new place to call home. Their son Dallas also came to support his parents at the home dedication.
“This is an example of the Lord’s work, and it’s such a huge blessing to take a look at this for the first time,” he said, addressing the crowd. “We are super thankful that we get to call this home again—this is always going to be home.”
Mary hugs Samaritan’s Purse staff and volunteers.
We presented them with the keys to their new home along with an itemized bill covered by the words “Paid in Full,” reminding them of the free gift of salvation offered through Jesus’ death on the cross. They also received a Billy Graham Training Center Bible—signed by all the volunteers who worked on the home—and a few small gifts, including an ornament for when they celebrate their first Christmas in their new home.
To close the ceremony, everyone laid their hands on the home as project superintendent David Fleming prayed a blessing over the home. “We pray that Your love would abide here, and that there’d be many days of laughter, joy, and fellowship. Give them strength and health and meet their physical needs as well as their spiritual needs.”
When the Mosses took their first steps inside their new home, nothing could have prepared them for the joy that overwhelmed them. Silently, they walked through every room, feeling blankets, touching countertops, and opening fridge doors. “It’s gorgeous—I love it,” Tommy said.
Mary stood alone in the kitchen, surveying all the loved ones who filled every room and soaking in her new home. “Words can’t express,” she started, tearing up.
Tommy, Mary, and Dallas pose with their “Paid in Full” plaque.
Tommy and Mary are grateful for the team and cannot wait to sit on their deck to reflect on the whole journey. It faces the river and offers a daily reminder of the devastating storm, the rebuilding process, and God’s faithfulness through it all.
“God has provided, and Samaritan’s Purse has been just wonderful,” Mary said. “They’ve helped us with every step and every setback, and they’ve been very encouraging.”
Tommy said, “I want to thank Samaritan’s Purse, the volunteers, and the businesses that partnered with them in putting this project together. They’ve been tremendous to work with.”
Please pray for our teams as they continue to rebuild and dedicate homes in Jesus’ Name. Pray also that we would display His love so that homeowners would find eternal hope in Jesus Christ.
