It’s Not About Hammering Nails,
It’s About Changing Lives
West Virginia Mission Trip
November 24 – 27, 2011
Mt Hope, WV, less than 300 miles away, is a reminder of a bygone era when the coal mining industry was in full swing. The Greenwich Mission Team arrived there last Thanksgiving Day. After getting settled, they enjoyed getting acquainted and the delicious dinner provided by the Circles and Bible Study Groups. After devotions, they split into two smaller teams and prepared to meet Gracie and Suzette and their families the next morning.
Living conditions in Mt. Hope are different from ours. Gracie’s home is a very small, four-room house built in the 1920’s – no hot water, no bathing or laundry facilities, and no repairs or upgrades since the 60’s.
Gracie has a special story. Before she was born, Gracie’s mother would press the family Bible against her stomach during those rare times she got to rest. This may have been because her first three children were all born with a condition that required someone to care for them 24/7. When Gracie arrived, her parents put the Bible in her crib as she slept; their prayers were answered. Growing up, Gracie did well in school and she especially enjoyed the family worship services her father led in their home. Gracie graduated Valedictorian of her class - having earned a full scholarship to West Virginia University her sights were set on being an accountant
Then, her father suffered a stroke. Gracie’s mother desperately needed help caring for him and her other three children. Gracie decided to give up her scholarship to help her mother. She took care of her father until he died. After a while, her mother was diagnosed with dementia. Then, it was all up to Gracie. Every day was a struggle and while she did her best, it became a losing battle. The leaks in the roof became so extensive Gracie had put grocery bags over the doors and formed gutters out of contact paper inside the rooms. Last September during our hurricane rains, the bathroom leaked so badly it was unsafe for the family to use.
This was the thing that broke Gracie’ spirit – she decided to end her life. To this point, no one in the community had visited to know of the family’s dire situation. While in the process of writing letters to state officials explaining that her mother and siblings needed care, Gracie stopped to cook dinner but the pilot on the gas stove wouldn’t light. She just couldn’t “leave” her family like this – so she called the gas company.
Her Angel came in the form of a repairman. He quickly realized that Gracie needed help and called the pastor of the Presbyterian Church. The Pastor sat and talked with Gracie for hours and helped her find hope again. Soon, a local mission team arrived to fix the roof and porch. Gracie called them her saints and wrote this poem:
The door stood there silently
Weathered and worn by the wind and rain
No one understood its sorrow
No one knew its pain.
You see the door belonged to a family
Which it seemed that time forgot
Why didn’t someone visit?
Just the thought would mean a lot.
So here the door stood waiting
Trying not to weep
While inside, the family lay, abandoned and alone
Crying themselves to sleep.
Suddenly—at last—could it really be?
A hand raises slowly and gently begins to knock
For the Lord had sent an Angel—with outstretched
arms she spoke
Be not afraid—I am here to help—I have not come to
mock.
Now the door stands proudly gleaming
As the sun shines from the heavens above
It seemed all the door and its family needed
Was just a little kindness and love.
When the Greenwich mission team arrived, everyone rallied round. Without hesitation, the youth figured out how they could help and did it. Everyone took on tasks they wouldn’t ordinarily do in the spirit of helping their neighbors.
The projects at Gracie’s house were making, installing and painting skirting around her house; painting and repairing the porches; cutting tree limbs; clearing brush; cutting down a huge bush; and, leveling the ground and putting in a brick pathway – with Gracie working right alongside. She welcomed the chance to make 21 new friends.
Gracie is 38 years old now. She still cooks all the meals, takes her siblings to the doctor, gives everyone their sponge baths and checks on each sibling every hour during the night. She does it all with compassion and spiritual strength. Her weekly treat is a trip to the Laundromat – she enjoys it because she gets to socialize with others. Gracie says she has no regrets about her decision to give up the scholarship – it kept her family together.
Before leaving Saturday evening, the team gave Gracie rocking chairs and tables so she could enjoy her porch and a new Bible signed by each team member (to replace the family Bible buried with her father). And, they gave her small lighted trees and other Christmas decorations, and a box of chocolates. Probably the thing that Gracie
appreciated most was the impromptu worship service the team organized - everyone met on her new porch. Team members say they will not forget this moving experience and the strong presence of the Holy Spirit. They knew they would see Gracie again.
Suzette, her husband (Howard), teen-aged son (Rich) and 10 year-old daughter (Sarah) also live in an older, small home in Mt. Hope. Suzette is an engaging lady who is devoted to her children and who is active in her church. Both she and her husband work.
The back side of Suzette’s house faces a hill. This combined with clogged gutters caused water to leak into the basement and over time a major support beam rotted out. Sarah was not permitted to run in the house because that caused the whole house to shake. Suzette was afraid she might fall through the floor to the basement.
Two team members used special equipment to jack up the back of the house and cut out the rotted beam; they made a new section with treated wood, installed it and repositioned the house. They also shored up some of the other support beams and stabilized the house overall.
Everyone contributed. Our teenagers replaced the clogged gutters – they cut and sealed the sections and mounted them on the roof - while other team members caulked the windows.
The family was so thankful for the help and the peace of mind they now have – replacing the support beams had seemed like such a daunting task. Rich was quite struck by other teenagers taking the time to help his family. He began hanging out with them and was soon working alongside them.
There is more to do - the team is looking forward to visiting both Suzette and Gracie and their families this spring.
Team members – many of whom have served on numerous mission projects – regarded this trip as “inspiring,” “up-lifting,” “profound,” “transformational” and “empowering.” They say, “It feels as if I have been adopted by a new family” and “My children now pray for Gracie and Suzette.” And, most importantly, “It’s not about the work we do, it’s about the people we meet and how we are touched by THEM – Gracie taught us how to be a servant of the Lord.”
The team encourages you to participate this spring or next Thanksgiving on the West Virginia mission trip; it sets a good tone for the holidays – no previous construction skills required, just a loving heart. Be prepared to grow – both in spirit and in knowing and appreciating others.
According to Mike Simms, over the years our approach to mission work has evolved – from providing only financial assistance to many of those in need to focusing on a few and developing strong partnerships – helping financially but more importantly helping the person. Often, this simply means being a good listener. One recipient exemplified our mission partnership in Mexico when he said, “You came back!”
2011 Mission Team: 21 members
9 youth ranging from ages 5 – 19
Greg Aleman; Jim Blades; Mark, Karen, Jacob and Matthew Blocker; Carol Clegg; Joe, Maria, Daniel and Adam Duffus; Jim, Cherie, Justin, Lauren, Chelesa and Haley Griffis; Jason, Sue Ellen, and Jacob Kinser; and Mike Simms
Our work with Gracie and Suzette is affiliated with the West Virginia Ministry of Advocacy and Work Camps led by Reverend Joan Stewart, an ordained Presbyterian minister, and her husband, Tim, who serves as construction site coordinator. They have organized six work sites in areas of West Virginia that need assistance; these sites are supported by six different churches. The Advocacy Work Camps operate year-round. Joan and Tim host and assist all the mission teams helping others in West Virginia.
If you are interested in exploring any aspect of mission work, please contact any of the team members listed above.
Mark Blocker and son.
