Ohana Means Family

Just as it was challenging to try and find the significant words to sum up the miraculous volunteers from this past summer, trying to comprehend the beautiful families we served is equally difficult. This summer, thanks to God’s provision, our volunteers efficient repair skills, and my staff member’s hearts, we were welcomed into seventeen different homes, allowing our humbled lives to be shared with each other’s stories. As always, I couldn’t have asked for better families my first summer (what easy people to work with for my first time around), but being in a higher position, the families the Lord blessed us with could not have been better for my growth this past summer. Both their lives and their living conditions brought along great moments of joy, encouragement, peace and created a bond that outlasts any construction project. To be fair, and to protect the privacy of each family, I will talk about each one (by codename) separately. So here’s to the reason volunteers come and our hearts are drawn to be servants of Christ! In order to not make this post a novel like it very well should be, I will be hitting the highlights I received from these families as well as what they taught me this summer.

101 Dalmatians

--Meeting the wife during an Evening Gathering, hearing their story and not knowing if we could give them their ramp, but trusting God would make it happen.

--Getting to notify the family that we would be building them a ramp.

--Not having the family present during most of the build because they were on a trip provided by Make a Wish for the father’s last wish with his battle with cancer.

--Getting to see them coming home, walk up the ramp without being out of breath and the smiles on their faces.

--Connecting with the extended family members and their sweet puppies.

--Praying with them after taking some final pictures and signing the papers.

--Having confidence that the Lord is sovereign and that miracles do happen.

And 1

--There’s enough joy and love to spill over into a second summer of work on their home.

--Always be ready for a pickup game of basketball…even if you are in your overalls.

--A tickle session on the bed is always well worth it.

--It’s bittersweet when every week, new best friends are formed when they know eventually they’ll have to say goodbye.

--You know you’re loved when they want the next project to be building bunk beds to house all their favorite staffers and volunteers instead of having living space in their home.

--It says a lot when the ones you are helping lay aside their lives to go help a wheelchair-bound friend.

--The power of family and forgiveness go hand in hand, speaking louder than any mistake or scuffle.

--Even if your day is full, if you see them standing outside you better not ever keep on driving—every conversation was worth it.

--Knowing when the summer is over and they realize their home is no longer in need of repairs—sweet yet sad knowing no new friends will be coming down that road in 15-passenger vans.

--No matter how much preparation you give yourself, the goodbyes at the end are never dry-eyed. I found new additions to my own family and rejoice that their hearts are on the Lord so that, if I never make it back to them, Heaven is where we’ll both be Home.

Black Bella

--Week by week, seeing them become everyone Momma and Papa.

--Seeing a true testament of what love really means, even with the troubles life throws at us.

--The perfect lemonade in a mason jar on a hot afternoon.

--Being able to sit on the porch with family (new and old) and enjoying all aspects of God.

--Getting prayed over and praying together with these amazing people.

--The simple joy of being able to take a shower without worry of falling in a tub or falling through the floor.

--Timeless stories from the husband in the family and his sweet laugh.

--Getting lost in Momma’s hugs.

--Knowing when you go, that you’d never just walk in and out…being ready to sit and chat for 30 (or 45) minutes every single time.

Headline

--Encouraged by the dedication they had for appointments, family, and fellowship.

--Seeing the smiles knowing that she could make it into her house easier with a ramp.

--Seeing the father stop and just stare at the cross at the top of the ramp—thanking God.

--Two boys who know more about sports than most kids their age, and seeing them make life changes this summer as results of our volunteers.

--Always a simple, gentle and welcoming smile and face when you arrive—always much needed.

 

 

Hot Rod

--One wild boy + an asphalt hill + one tricycle = repeated fun and entertainment with the craziest sound effects.

--Pulling up to see the same crazy little guy running out of the shed, pants at his ankles yelling, “Mamaw I pooped on the boards!”

--Endless thank you’s and love you’s.

--Hearing how the husband grew and opened up so much because of last summer, and being able to see him blossom that much more this past summer.

--Purple and white vinyl composite tile designs in both bathroom and kitchen.

--Kevin and Doug—being able to see these little guys as newborn pups to little cute bigger puppies (and secretly trying to hide Kevin in the front pocket of your overalls).

--Knowing that service is a two-way street and those you help not only serve you but extend the love onto so many others.

--Shedding just as many tears when the goodbyes come, but rejoice in knowing their home is never in need of repair for a long time.

Meet the Parents

--Showing the same love God showed Christ, toward their daughter.

--Seeing the power of love, new sisters and friendship literally transform the daughter’s life.

--Contagious laughs.

--Knowing you’d be tackled with a hug upon arrival and departure from the worksite.

--Making new friends at the picnic and being able to see their joy infect those around them.

--Work hard, love harder.

Mrs. Doubtfire

--Realizing this sweet elderly gem is a true treasure in Mullens.

--Driving back from hardware and seeing her sitting on her new ramp.

--“Oh honey, I’d love to be married again, just so I could have someone to take me places”

--Hearing her sing, and letting it melt your heart.

--New-found confidence and assurance in a ramp.

--Crazy God moments of perfect timing + my staffer having an urge to run that morning + going to see her = a broken window and a bathroom save. Praise God for the hectic times in life.

--First meeting her as a sweet lady who was somewhat shy then seeing how she blossomed once attending her first picnic and how everyone, families and volunteers alike, were drawn to her by her contagious spirit.

My Little Pony

--Hope, perseverance, faith and love of family can literally move mountains.

--Definitely the best backyard view, perfect for just a few moments of reflection during a day of rounds.

--A sweet, young family with a story that both breaks your heart, yet spurs you to have faith.

--Precious reminders of life in the sweet innocence of their little babies.

--Quiet, gentle gratitude means more sometimes than abundance of thank you’s.

 

 

Parent Trap

--Sometimes the greatest blessings are not the ones you’re necessarily looking for, but the ones that seem to fall in your lap unexpectedly.

--There’s always something to be done, or things can go better, but be blessed and grateful with what is currently in front of you.

--Learning every different kind of plumbing combination, and still not fully understanding it.

--Appalachian weddings are beautiful, often overlooked, but sweet moments like the bride walking down the hill across the street in her dress to say hello.

--The few words spoken by this homeowner were powerful and simple, yet could pull at your heartstrings instantly.

Patch

--Family is literally everything.

--Nothing sweeter than a picnic with a guitar and some heart-felt music.

--When the mother of this family was able to make it to the picnic, amid life-exhausting illness…her heart and spirit truly got her there.

--Never having to again fear going to the restroom because you may fall through the floor.

--Knowing God’s love simply through a woman lying in her bed, son right beside her and seeing that smile makes everything you’ve done worth more than gold.

PO Box

--Unexpected encounters lead to great friendships.

--A family rooted in love reflects a community thriving off of hit—hospitality is unbelievable.

--Teaching new friends how to ride a four-wheeler or wade in a creek for the very first time (for some).

--The oddest color combination in order to make a family member happy.

--Home cooked lunches (more like feasts) out of appreciation for those serving them.

Rocky Top

--Subway morning order + surprise saying we’d love to check out the house = miracle in disguise.

--Knowing this was going to be an amazing journey with the family the second you pull up and all the kids come swarming to say hello.

--Teaching volunteers how to sign language pretty much everything and being as proud as a teenager to interact this way with the new friends.

--Showing off your muscles with your basement makeshift mini-gym.

--A gentle father teaching those about humility—talking and being most comfortable while crouching down because of endless hours in the coal mines.

--Signing “I Love You” before leaving and connecting both hands together.

--Being able to sit on the porch and play as a family without worrying about the structure falling down the side of the mountain.

--Subway conversations.

--Watching the second youngest of the family play the role of the mother and protector while Mom is at work.

--Turning up the van speakers for a dance party—loud enough for both deaf children to feel the bass and dance along just the same.

--Spending my last picnic exploring the woods with the two youngest kids, the sweet girl and the youngest deaf son, as we found sweet treasures in large mushrooms, odd shaped leaves and rocks. Literally lost in the silence of God’s creation and realizing that the beauty seen and felt is more powerful than beauty that is heard. What a perfect last picnic.

Sandlot

--Finding this house by accident on a day of Initial Home Visits, hearing from a neighbor man of a man who helps all but won’t accept it even though he needs it, realizing it’s the same person and falling in love with the family throughout the summer.

--Sitting around the fire pit at lunch time just talking and taking everything all in.

--FETCH with Spot…all day, every day.

--Laying in the yard just looking up in the sky, basking in the sun and talking with the homeowner.

--The surprising off-road adventure you take every time to get to the house.

--The homeowner’s speech during several picnics, making it obvious how much this organization means to him.

Sonic Bloom

--The instant feeling of needing to give this family a double room addition.

--Little painted fingernails on a beautiful babe with a beautiful smile.

--Seeing how this ministry provides not only repairs and relationship, but a support system for someone who’s kept a lot in for so long.

--Piggy back rides and tickle fights.

--Tires, tires, and more tires.

--Perfect conversations about life, love and the Lord.

--Starting out as strangers, leaving as sisters and best friends.

--Tears for days as we said goodbye, and those little precious hands wiping the tears from my cheeks.

--Seeing the perfect love of a mother and father toward their child and literally how love conquers all.

Sweet Caroline

--The confidence you get from someone trusting in you to take care of them.

--Living simply doesn’t take away from living fully.

--The love that binds us makes us stronger and gives us the strength to love more.

--Perseverance and prayer go a long way.

--An overflow of gratitude from a family with such big hearts.

 

Tetris

--When no one else ever finished a job that was promised, all hope could have been lost, yet she still waited for change to happen.

--Never underestimate the power of conversation and intentionality—literally both can open up the quietest of people.

--The truest, first-hand story of hope I have personally ever witnessed.

--A smile, although few and far between, light up the day.

--A kept promise and a transformed home creates an opportunity for some serious well-needed confidence and a continued hope for life overall.

 

Violet Baudelaire

--Never overlook the tiny details, like a set of handrails, because they may be the one thing to give someone that extra push to keep going.

--One step at a time. And even if there are a few stumbles, keep on going because sooner or later, the race we all call life will take us off in a full on sprint.