Warren, 70, and Gerry, 64, are both retired and have stayed active by spending time with their five grandchildren, fishing and camping. One of their favorite hobbies is hiking with the Louisiana Hiking Club. Last year the club sponsored a trip to the Smoky Mountains near Robbinsville, NC. Warren and Gerry were excited to join the group and enjoy the pristine environment of the Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest and hike part of the Appalachian Trail.

There's a hint of a Cajun accent as the Davises describe the events that began on April 21, 2013. They spent their first night at Horse Cove Campground. With Gerry still snuggled in her sleeping bag, Warren arose to a chilly morning to light the propane heater, and as soon as he lit the flame there was an explosion.

"We did not have a propane detector, and there was a slow propane leak that we were breathing all night and couldn't sense it by the next morning," explained Warren. 

Miraculously, both survived the explosion. Warren ran to a nearby creek and doused the flames covering his entire body, then ran to the campground hosts who called the authorities. Gerry, though in shock, was unburned. Warren  was flown to the Joseph M. Still Burn Center at Doctors Hospital. Complete strangers, "angels" according to Gerry, drove Gerry and the destroyed trailer, five and a half hours from the explosion to Augusta. 

While Warren spent more than a month in the Burn Center, Gerry found refuge at the Chavis House. "Not only did I stay there, but my grown children were able to stay once or twice. The camaraderie and support from the people in the retreat was wonderful.  They answered more questions than I could get answered from the hospital. The families would share what their loved ones were going through and it gave me hope for Warren.  Being so far away from home, it was challenging. But I didn't have to worry about anything - where to sleep or eat. It's amazing all the churches you have bringing meals. You have a wonderful organization here."

Warren shares his story with humility and a positive attitude, unexpected of one who has endured so much physical pain. "There were people in the Burn Center not burned as badly as me, and one of the physical therapists would bring patients to me so that I could encourage them. I think the difference was that I had so many people praying for me. The generosity of those people from the campground, putting us on their prayer chain of a 1,000 people, and bringing Gerry to Augusta, and the people at the Chavis House, I just feel like a selfish person taking advantage of this."

Will they go camping again? After repairs are made to the camper, the answer is an emphatic "yes."