Our Final Day of Service in Kentucky: A Journey of Faith and Fellowship Today marked the last day of our mission work in Kentucky. Over the past few days, we had the privilege of bringing a tangible expression of God’s love to Gary’s home. His house has been refreshed with new, custom-fit garage doors, upgraded electrical wiring, repairs to the bathroom drywall, trim, and door, repaired and freshly painted front porch posts, cleaned and repaired gutters, replaced damaged siding, repairs to the roof, and other small repairs. In addition, our team felt moved to support another family we visited on Wednesday with a new washer, hoping it would make a difference in their daily lives. Each repair was a labor of love, not just to meet physical needs but to restore hope. Gary joined us for our last night in Kentucky suggesting a local BBQ restaurant, Pig in a Poke….
Continue ReadingToday was another busy and blessed day at the job site. We’re grateful for the strength, skills, and teamwork that allowed us to make meaningful progress on the project. Here’s a look at what we accomplished: Gutter Securing: The gutters have been cleaned out and reattached to the house. Electrical Work: Installed GFI and rewired the kitchen to make it safer and functional. Bathroom Drywall & Painting: We applied another coat of mud to the drywall and started painting. Driveway Improvement: The crew worked to level the steep gravel driveway, which often gets washed out by rain. We hope these improvements will help stabilize it and make it more accessible. Front Door Threshold: The threshold of the front door was secured, caulked and sealed, ensuring it’s properly protected. Garage Doors: The garage doors were leveled and received their first coat of paint and hardware. Trash Removal: We took two full…
Continue ReadingToday was a productive and meaningful day for the team, filled with both steady progress and new challenges. We started the day in a prayer circle with Gary, the home owner, giving thanks to God that the crew of contractors for the kitchen will be arriving on Monday—an answer to prayer and a reminder that things are moving forward, just as they are meant to. The custom barn doors were completed and hung, and there are just a few final adjustments to be made and a fresh coat of paint to apply. In the bathroom, the drywall received its second coat of mud, and tomorrow we hope to begin sanding, painting, and trimming. Meanwhile, three team members were sent to another location to install a toilet and dryer. When they arrived, they found the floor was so rotted that it was unsafe to walk across. They laid down plywood to…
Continue ReadingOn this day of choices, we are reminded that, above all, our greatest calling is to serve our Lord Jesus Christ. In everything we do, we seek to honor Him, and with each passing day, we feel His loving presence guiding our steps. This morning, we were faced with the realization that the work in Gary’s kitchen was beyond the capacity of our team. While we are blessed with many skills, there are times when God’s plan calls for others to step in. We are thankful for the professionals who will complete the kitchen next week, trusting that their expertise is part of His perfect timing. Alongside the kitchen, the work on the garage door is also progressing steadily. We are replacing the old, broken-down garage door with two custom-made, hinged barn doors. In addition, we finished replacing the fire-damaged siding at the back of the house, completed most of…
Continue Reading**Progress and Setbacks: A Glimpse Behind the Walls** Today, the team began their home repair projects with enthusiasm and purpose. As with many renovation efforts, we quickly learned that what appears to be a small issue on the surface can often be just the tip of the iceberg, revealing much deeper problems hidden behind walls and beneath floors. It’s a reminder that sometimes we must dig a little deeper to truly understand the extent of what needs healing. In the kitchen, as our team worked to replace the flooring and countertops, they uncovered the unfortunate truth: several floor and rim joists had been severely damaged by flooding and termites, and are now in need of replacement. It’s a setback, and while it presents a challenge, we are holding onto the belief that this delay is part of a bigger plan. In times like these, we are reminded that just as…
Continue ReadingAfter being commissioned in prayer by the church elders between services, the Kentucky Renew Crew team set off, embarking on a 9+ hour drive to David, Kentucky. We traveled in two vehicles, and despite the long journey, our spirits remained high as we anticipated the work ahead. We arrived at St. Vincent’s Mission housing after 9 PM, tired but eager to settle in. After unloading our gear from the van and truck, we settled into our dorm-style accommodations. Once we were unpacked, we took some time to get to know each other better and reflect on our day’s devotional. We are grateful for the safe journey and deeply appreciate your continued prayers as we move forward into the week. We’re excited to start our work and can’t wait to see the beauty of the area in the daylight. Stay tuned for more updates as our adventure unfolds!
Continue ReadingThe Renew Crew Kentucky Team is in the final stages of preparing to support flood recovery efforts in Floyd County, Kentucky. In July 2022, severe flooding devastated Eastern Kentucky, displacing thousands and claiming 45 lives as floodwaters surged through 14 counties. Over two years later, communities like Floyd County are still working to rebuild. Partnering with World Renew, our team will assist a homeowner affected by the floods with the following projects: Replace the subfloor in the kitchen. Install a new kitchen countertop and sink, remove the existing dishwasher and potentially replace it with a cabinet, and cap the drain line. Seal the exterior door thresholds with silicone and replace some vinyl siding. Remove the existing garage door and install a sliding barn door. Repair the lower section of drywall in the bathroom and install baseboards. Our team is eager to help make a difference in this ongoing recovery process.
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