From the Archives: 2010

Written by Robert Higgins

I grew up in Boone and have lived here my entire life. I met my wife, Nicole, when she came to Boone in 2001 as an App State student. We have been married for 7 years. I own and operate Solid Ground Grading Incorporated with my brother Chad. We have had this business for 6 years. Nicole teaches swimming at App State and coaches a county swim team.

A Calling to the Poor and Displaced

Even though Nicole and I have both been followers of Jesus for many years, we were challenged in a very specific way a few years ago. We were involved in a small group Bible study and in the midst of meeting with and sharing life with the people in the group, we were reminded about the importance of serving people in other nations. We felt a strong calling to the poor and displaced of the world.

After feeling that call and pursuing opportunities, it didn’t take long before we went on our first trip together. In 2005, we did a two week trip in Sri Lanka after the Tsunami. This was just the beginning. We found that there is such blessing in serving people in great need. We are so fortunate that we have the freedom and ability to go and help. Since that trip, we haven’t been able to stop.

We had the opportunity to go to Gulf Coast and help some people in Mississippi and Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina. It was amazing to see how many people came so quickly to assist with the efforts there. The resilience of the Gulf Coast community is astonishing.

When a major earthquake hit Haiti we knew immediately that we wanted to help out. Being self-employed and running the business with my brother gave me the freedom to be able to leave on short notice, and Nicole’s work allowed her that freedom as well. Within two weeks, we were in Haiti. With my experience as an equipment operator, I was able to assist Samaritan’s Purse with some of the early clean up of the destruction. We stayed from February to April.

During those few shorts months, we had fallen in love with the people of Haiti. When we returned to Boone, our hearts knew that we wanted to go back. Even though Boone is our home, we had such a strong desire to go to Haiti as often as possible. We made the proper arrangements and went back in May, staying until August. And we are hoping to back as early as January.

We have been learning and re-learning that many times you have to meet the physical needs of people before you can properly address their spiritual needs. Nicole and I feel so honored that God has called us to this lifestyle.