PINNACLE, N.C. — On Monday, a beloved camp that served thousands is at risk as the Sauratown Mountain fire grows.
Mountain Top Youth Camp, Inc. (MTYC) is thankful flames from the fire spared their property Sunday night.
The camp informed former campers and volunteers through social media of the fire.
Former campgoer and counselor, Lois Uwazurike noticed the post along her feed.
"It's heartbreaking to think that could have happened, it's been what 20-something years, I'm 29. So, it's been so many years of life I've known there. To think of it not existing is just hard for me to understand," said Uwazurike.
It's been years since Uwazurike was a traditional camper, but the decision she made there shapes who she is today.
"At that moment, I truly gave the Lordship of my life to Christ when I was 14 at that camp, one summer," she recalled.
This past weekend, the camp was holding its last retreat of the year. Out of precaution organizers sent campers home.
"Really the camp was in good shape to kind of be secluded and if we're going to have a fire it's probably the best time to have it," said Barry Brady, Executive Director of Mountain Top Youth Camp
Sunday night, just before the flames reached the steps of their biggest building, the winds shifted.
"Through our Facebook page, MTYC, we asked for people to pray because the Lord can control the wind, and sure enough late last night the wind shifted back," said Brady.
Brady calls it a level of unreal protection and prays it will continue as the fire grows.
"The rain is good, but the wind is bad and they're predicting high winds. So, that's the big concern. Yes, we want the water from heaven, but if the winds could die down that would be great," he said.
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