Experience God’s Reconstruction

Good morning…

Less than six hours away from Atlanta, GA, I wake in the coal mining territory of Chavies, Kentucky. Surrounded by the grandeur of the Appalachian mountains, many hillsides are laid bare in past hopes of immediate profit. When people rape the land everything changes.

The lives of these people are bonded to mine. This is the fifth fall I have returned here to serve with a team of women. When we exit the highway and drive down the main road, we take a left at the package store, a right at the white church, a quick right then a left up the steep hill to our bunks. Each year, I return to an essential part of my soul.

Earlier in the week, we received our assignment: “The code name for our project this week is Dinky and Boomer. The Homeowner is Charles and he lives in a mobile home with his 13 year old granddaughter Cassie. A tree fell onto his house in March of this year so ASP (Appalachian Service Project) volunteers have replaced his roof, interior walls, sub floor, and exterior siding. If you would like to see the progress of this home so far, I have included a link to their Facebook page with lots of pictures!

This weekend we will be installing floor covering, finishing touches on drywall mudding, and finally painting of interior walls.”

As we do important work to make this mobile home warmer, drier, and safer for Charles and Cassie, God will do important work in the home of our hearts. Thank you for offering prayerful support as we all experience God’s reconstruction.

…”Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?” Then the King will say, “I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me,” Matthew 25:37-40 (MSG),

Sue