Extreme Home Makeover--Community effort!

My sister Brenda recently posted a blog about Walt's House"," the home we grew up in as kids.

Our dad passsed away in June 2008 and we sold the farm (with the house) in May of this year. You can read Brenda's blog for a better understanding, but basically the farmers who bought the farm are allowing the house to be used for people who need a second chance in life. The first resident will be moving in on Wednesday, so it became necessary to get the house ready for him very quickly. Cecily, the wonderful lady in charge of this project, got many of the local churches involved; several of them "adopted" a room to renovate.

I was privileged to go help for a few hours today, and to see first hand christian love in action. The above picture is Cecily (sorry, it's a little dark). This is the dining room table that was donated.

Cecily thought she had a clothes dryer donated, but discovered it was gas, and they needed one that was electric. She got on the phone, and within 3o minutes, some of the men had gone and picked up a washer and dryer.

While I was there, I saw people working in various rooms from all different churches. The Catholic church was doing the bathroom; Archbold Evangelical were in the kitchen; Central Mennonite were doing the sunroom, dining room and entry way. West Clinton Mennonite were doing 2 rooms upstairs, and the Methodist church was doing the 3rd bedroom upstairs. The St. John United Church of Christ was going to be working in the downstairs bedroom tonight, putting in paneling on the walls.

It was just amazing to see all of these people working so well together. This has truly been a wonderful example of love in action and the "body of Christ" working together. These churches didn't know about this project until Saturday or Sunday, and it needs to be done by Wednesday!

They are washing windows and walls, and painting in almost every room except the kitchen. It had been painted more recently.

All of the rooms are being furnished with donations from various sources. I was just so amazed to watch how much was being accomplished in such a short period of time. Not only are they getting the work done in short order, but with such community involvement, they will be invested in the lives of the men who will live here. (There will be either 3 or 4 men living here soon).

As I was leaving, I took a picture of the "parking lot". You can't see them all, but I counted 13 cars at that time. There had been people coming and going all afternoon and evening.

Ephesians 4:2, 4-6 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. There is one body and one Spirit--just as you were called to one hope when you were called--one Lord, one faith one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

I have truly seen this spirit of love and unity as this community has come together to provide a home and a second chance for these men.