Answered Prayers

When a disaster would strike, former children’s television host Mister Rogers would tell his viewers to “look for the helpers.” Fort Myers Beach residents, who experienced the immense force of Hurricane Ian in September 2022, received much-needed relief from LC students, faculty and staff, who traveled to the area as part of a spring break service-learning trip.

Upon their arrival, the college group rolled up their sleeves and got straight to work assisting homeowners with debris removal in 95-degree weather, a record high for the area. In addition to helping with the cleanup, they also prayed with the residents.

Faith in action

“Our students got to experience the spiritual impact of getting to know the people they were serving, as well as doing the actual work,” said the Rev. Dr. Adam Roberts, Chaplain and Director of Spiritual Life at LC. “I really believe that the spiritual growth for the students and the residents we helped was even more significant than any physical labor we accomplished. That's what always

happens on trips like these as we meet God in the midst of acts of service.”

This year’s trip was made possible thanks to Florida Conference Disaster Recovery of the United Methodist Church, the sponsoring organization; Faith United Methodist Church in Fort Myers, who served as the host; and Pine Mountain United Methodist Church, who helped underwrite the trip.

Roberts said the six-day excursion, formerly known as alternative spring break, was the first one to happen since the pandemic.

“Before 2020, the spring break trip had become a cornerstone of the spiritual life experience at LC,” he said. “In 2018, we took 25 students, our largest group. This year’s trip was a huge piece of rebuilding the spiritual life program and its student leaders as we move into the future.”

Catastrophic damage

Hurricane Ian, which first made landfall on the barrier island of Cayo Costa, Florida, on Sept. 28, 2022, briefly reached a Category 5 intensity of 160 miles per hour, according to a

National Hurricane Center post-storm analysis.

The center reported that Ian was responsible for at least 156 fatalities, 66 of which were directly caused by the storm.

Ian was deemed the costliest hurricane in Florida’s history. The state suffered $112.9 billion in damages, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information.

Resilience of a community

Aria Mabry ’26, along with four other students on this year’s trip, was moved by the stories told by the storm survivors.

“One woman told us how she rode out the storm on her kitchen counter with her daughter and two dogs and how her husband and her brother were wading in the flood waters that had taken over their house,” Mabry said. “I was heartbroken for her because I know how scary that must have been. She said they stayed in that flooded house for almost three weeks before they could

get out.”

Jonyka Tenney ’24 said they helped lift the spirits of the people they assisted.

“When we were talking to one of the residents, they expressed that they had given up already,” she said. “But just by us coming down to help them it changed their perspective and helped them realize better days are ahead.”

“Hearing their stories made me really realize I need to count my blessings!” said Aubrey Helton ’26. “I should be beyond grateful for what I have, and not take things for granted.”

Political Science Professor Dr. John Tures, who also served on the trip, said he witnessed the transformative power of prayer when gathered in a circle with

the Rev. Roberts, the students and the homeowners.

“One resident told me, ‘Your group is giving us the strength to make it through,’” Dr. Tures said.

He said he also talked with Kelby, who lived on Pine Island for 52 years.

“I asked him, ‘What’s something you know about Hurricane Ian that nobody else knows?’ Kelby said, ‘How many people here are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. You know, Hurricane Charley (a Category 4 storm that hit back in 2004) could fit inside the eye wall of Hurricane Ian.’”

A new perspective

Tenney said this trip taught her to appreciate the small things.

“I am reminded of what I do have and how blessed I am,” she said. “It’s easy to hear about the news of natural disasters in the world and just pray for them, but it is different when you physically see the damage for yourself and hear the stories from residents. Our

small deeds can mean the world to others, especially when people have lost hope.”

Mabry said it was amazing to see a community of residents come together for a common cause.

“It was truly inspiring how fast everyone picked up and started helping even immediately after the storm,” she said. “Every person that we talked to told us how they survived the storm and what they did afterwards. I am glad that I got to be a part of their narrative of Hurricane Ian.”

Tyler Ginn ’26 said he was grateful to have had this experience.

“I enjoyed getting the chance to connect with everyone and learn new things about them,” he said. “Work like this really brings people together.”

Sam Roberts ’25, one of Chaplain

Roberts’ three sons, said he was glad to participate in this service opportunity.

“I enjoyed getting to know all the people we helped and the other students who went on the trip,” Sam said. “It was cool that I was able to go on my first service-learning trip with my dad.”

Dr. Roberts said his fellow travelers made this trip a memorable one.

“I will always remember this group of students who kept going when they were exhausted, who kept good attitudes no matter what and who chose a spring break exertion, service and sacrifice over rest and relaxation,” he said. “I believe that God has made them stronger for it.”

LC faculty and students took their spring break to serve Fort Myers homeowners affected by Hurricane Ian. Pictured from left to right are Professor John Tures, the Rev. Adam Roberts, Aubrey Helton ’26, Aria Mabry ’26, Tyler Ginn ’26, Jonyka Tenney ’24 and Sam Roberts ’25.