In our ministry, we tell every person that comes to serve with us, "people over projects". We are so much more than a construction ministry.
Pictured here are a couple we have been serving over the past couple of months and Kirk, one of our volunteers. Maxine & Kenneth are two wonderful people that we have grown to know and love. Here is their story:
Pastor Darcy and I went out one day in October to visit people who live in the Clear creek area to see how they were doing and if they needed any help. We had the opportunity to hear their flood story and God’s faithfulness during that scary night. As the waters rose they began getting water inside their home. Concerned for their vehicles, Kenneth went outside to move his truck. Kenneth who is disabled due to a stroke was getting into his truck when the rushing water took his feet out from under him. Praise God he had the strength to grab the onto the “oh poop” handle with his good arm. And praise God his neighbor was watching and was able to get there quickly to help get him back into his home. Maxine will still sit out on the porch in heavy rain to watch the creek.
Unfortunately, their home sustained quite a bit a damage. On our second trip out to visit Kenneth and Maxine, we really wanted to see how we could help. But as we have heard from so many here in Kentucky, Maxine told us they were fine and that there were other people worse off. We also found out that Maxine had been dealing with asthma and bronchial pneumonia. So, we prayed with them and visited a little longer. In our conversation we were told that one room still hadn’t gotten cleaned out, which was there bedroom, where carpet was still laying on the floor since the flood. I asked Maxine, if it was wet and she said they just kept their shoes on. If they had their shoes off, it was damp.
So, we mentioned that perhaps she is dealing with asthma complications and the pneumonia because the carpet was probably holding mold in it. I asked her if we come and take care of her bedroom so that they didn’t have to sleep in a room with damp carpet. She agreed to let us come and work on her bedroom and we continue to help her in other parts of their home as well. The relation built has been such a blessing to me. I, so much enjoy the fellowship with this amazing family. I am inspired by their faith in the Lord and their love for each other. Our volunteers see it too. Maxine is always baking for us and has even quietly snuck some KFC into our trucks before we leave. Sneaky sneaky! :)
This is a family that we often go and visit even when we are not working at their house. Our hope is to continue to encourage them and love on them. But you know God. He blesses us with their friendship as well. So yes, there is lots of work to be done. But God gives us people to love as well.