By Shari Johnson, Publisher
It’s been no secret that Calhoun County has been a struggling community. From every avenue we’ve got issues. Economically depressed and oppressed, Health and wellness disparities, especially in relation to mental health and substance abuse, and overall a community trying its best to survive. But over the past few years we’ve seen pockets of strength popping up in every community within the County and each one has been coming together in a central location. While it’s certainly not been without controversy, The 1982 Foundation has been a haven of relatability that created a long awaited cohesion.
An example of that has been a prayer meeting that began last week on the Foundation property for the purpose of praying for our community. Multiple ministries, business leaders, children, retirees, anyone and everyone welcome. A short message of encouragement, multiple prayers and the Spirit of God in their midst uniting their hearts with a common goal. What’s the goal?
Healing.
I’ve posted a scripture below from the book of Revelation that speaks of that ultimate day of healing for nations. We’ll not see that on this earth. But that’s not to say there won’t be pockets of hope that spring up to help God’s people along the way.
Hope for the Physical Healing of our People
West Virginia has the highest mortality rate for Cancer in the United States according to the CDC site. With the number of people in Calhoun effected, I really thought we’d be of the highest in the State, but we are among the lowest. Praise God for that! But it’s still shocking with the numbers and each number represents a community, a family and a reason to join together in prayer. Cancer isn’t the only disease, it’s actually the second leading cause of death in the State; Heart Disease would be number one. As a heart attack survivor and open heart surgery recipient, I can identify with that one personally. The point being, regardless of the disease, everyone has a story and a reason to pray.
Hope for the Healing of Those Struggling with Abuse
Every day in Calhoun County, someone is abusing drugs and alcohol. Many to the point of destroying either their family or their lives. West Virginia is the highest State in the Nation for Substance Abuse Mortality Rates. Calhoun is 35th in State. That number may look pretty good until you know someone who struggles, and then the number means nothing at all. The only one that matters at the time is the one that a family is concerned for. We have a reason to pray.
Hope for Healing and Treatment of Mental Health Issues
West Virginia is third in the nation for those struggling with mental health issues. It’s an often misunderstood and undiagnosed disease. According to KFF, over 30% of adults in the United States Report Symptoms of anxiety and/or depression in February 2023. Substance abuse and death by suicide increase because of the mental health issues. It has no age barrier. Among those who reported having mental health issues, 20% reported needing but not receiving mental health help. Calhoun has had their share of “statistics” with the loss of several youth to suicide and substance abuse. While I couldn’t find those numbers this morning, it matters most to the one (or more) who effect your family. Another reason to pray.
Hope for the Healing of our Economy and County as a Whole
Healing? That’s somewhat of a strange terminology to be used for the economy, but let’s factor in some undiagnosed mental health issues regarding this matter and the past two years of possible political manipulation of the people.
When the 1982 Foundation arrived at the their first Calhoun County Commission meetings they were not met with a welcoming demeanor but rather an accusatory one that questioned Crystal Mersh’s motives and intentions. At every intersection of possibility Mersh faced opposition from the political powers, up and through the most recent Flood plain issues that call into question, where have those issues been in the past several years when multiple earth moving projects went unrecorded under the previous floodplain administration. But now that a project that has brought an 8.5 Million Dollar privately funded investment into the community, more new jobs and the potential for an even greater number than any recent industry growth, the controlling political faction has fought it tooth and nail.
They began the fight by accusing the 1982 Foundation of being a divisive faction. When in reality it was a uniting force. Which seemed to scare the daylights out of the aforementioned political faction who made it their goal to bring division into the subject line.
In my 50 years of living in Calhoun County, I don’t ever recall a time when the Southern, Central and Northern areas in Calhoun worked so harmoniously together on a project. The West Fork had their activities, Arnoldsburg had their own, and the Northern end of the county had their projects as well – seldom ever did they unite on anything. But since 2021, the Old Calhoun County High School has been the location of Calhoun County as a whole working together because it’s a piece of everyone’s history that graduated prior to 2004-ish. I’m not sure of the last class that attended Calhoun High School prior to graduation.
Why would anyone contest it? Because it’s harder to control people who are making progress and experiencing hope. It’s easier to control people who think there is no hope. Which I would attest is how it’s been done throughout the decades. It’s why when we pray for the previous issues, physical, mental and abusive health behaviors, and we begin making strides in giving those hope who need it most, our community begins healing from the inside out. And we realize that nothing in this county matters, except it’s people. All of them from the north to the south.
On Monday’s I go to the nursing home at Minnie Hamilton Health System and sing for the residents. Last week, Paul Parsons, formerly of Mt. Zion asked me to learn a song “I want to stroll over Heaven with you.” Turns out I learned the wrong one as he informed me, but, it was a blessing anyway and it reminded me that this land too is temporary. Which is where Revelation 22 comes in. We won’t have full healing until the Lord returns. But until then, we can make this life tolerable, if not enjoyable! While we wait for the Lord’s return.
Happy Independence Day Calhoun!
Revelation 22:1-7 KJVS
And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. [2] In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. [3] And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: [4] And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads. [5] And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever. [6] And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his servants the things which must shortly be done. [7] Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
