West Asheville – 2 Month Report

I am partial to songs that originate in Texas, but I admit that many great songs come from other places.  Will Kimbrough, born in southern Alabama, growing up with the traffic and ideas flowing along US 90, the Gulf Coast Highway, has written songs for and worked with many artists, from fellow Alabama native, Jimmy Buffet, to Mark Knopler and Mavis Staples.  Matt Troyer-Miller, MDS Region 3 ROC, pointed me to Kimbrough’s recording of his song, Walking in the Valley of the Shadow, referring to Psalm 23.

I’m walking in the valley of the shadow               but I have no cause for fear

I can hear the devil whisper in my ear

Or maybe it’s the night wind howling                   See I ain’t from around here                  

I’m walking in the valley of the shadow               I have no cause for fear

During the past two months in West Asheville, NC, Laura and I have experienced being in such a valley.  The goal is to prepare a former Presbyterian church to be the facility for housing MDS volunteers.  They will be working to repair and rebuild homes, and build bridges, affected by Hurricane Helene in September 2024.  The permits needed to update and remodel this space do not fit the typical categories of the zoning, planning and development department of the City of Asheville.  It seems to be a deep valley.

How long must I wander?    How long must I roam?

Why I was cast asunder, I don’t know.

Guess I must’ve said the wrong thing,  To the wrong rich man in Rome.

How long must I wander?    How long must I roam?   

Despite those delays, many things have been accomplished by several local residents.  The tasks are all things that do not need permits, from replacing suspended ceiling panels, converting old lighting to LED fixtures, cleaning and sealing water damaged walls, gutting the kitchen and bringing an old access ramp up to current ADA standards.

Having been in this area last October and having seen the destruction of the flood waters, winds and landslides that Helene triggered, I am often frustrated.  The efforts of MDS and other volunteer organizations are hampered by regulations that were written in a time that never anticipated the effects of a thousand year storm.  We know the people whose homes were washed away and badly damaged also are trapped in a place with little hope.

I’ve been walking in the valley of the shadow, I have no cause for shame.

I did nothing wrong still the trouble came         

Walking on the straight and narrow                     Is a long walk just the same

I’m walking in the valley of the shadow               I have no cause for shame

In this process, our host and owner of the building, Reparations Stakeholder Authority of Asheville (RSAA), is also trying to guide a community out of a valley of shadows.  The church building was deeded to RSAA early in 2025 by the Asheville Presbytery.  Once the West Asheville Presbyterian Church closed, several options were considered, including razing the building for new development.  At the end of the decision process, the transfer acknowledged the damage that was imposed on people who were enslaved and continues to be imposed on their descendants up to today.  In addition to providing a place for MDS volunteers to be housed, another goal of this effort is to repair and improve the building, so that it is a resource for RSAA to carry out their long term goals and missions.   The lyrics tell the story of the community that RSAA represents.

I burn in the sun all day.                   Freeze when the sun goes down.

Ain’t a lot of drinking water anywhere around. 

I hope I can make Damascus,         By the light of the breaking dawn.

Burning in the sun all day               Freezing when the sun goes down

MDS and RSAA are working through the waiting and working to get out of the shadows.   Nine months have passed since the storm hit these high and beautiful mountains. Families with resources have moved on, but others are waiting and walking in the valley.  We have hope and confidence that a way will be found to move ahead, both with MDS rebuilding hope for Helene survivors and with RSAA building hope for their stakeholders.

I’m walking in the valley of the shadow               But I have no need to mourn

I been walking holes in my shoes                         And my clothes are torn

I know I will rest in glory                                          But for now I’m moving on

I’m walking in the valley of the shadow               I have no need to mourn

I’m walking in the valley of the shadow               Praying for a little rain

Wonder why the high and mighty                         Cause the poor folks pain

I know there’s no answer                                         I’m asking just the same

I’m walking in the valley of the shadow               Praying for a little rain”

From West Asheville, NC – MDS Renovation Project

Carl & Laura