First Church of Christ, Bedford: On a Mission: Many Steps Forward, a Few Steps Back

Today's blog entry is from Allyson Printz and Mary Criscione:

We split into three groups this morning upon leaving for the worksite. The first headed straight to Estill’s house, the second did a Lowe’s run and the third headed for the Wade Center in Bluefield.

We have kept in contact with the Wade Center every since 2016 when Terry Gerrish made the initially contact with the center and ended up substitute teaching! It is a Christian after-school program for 75 disadvantaged children grades one through five and during the summer months, they run a seven-week VBS style summer camp.

The director, Kourtney, greeted us and gave us a quick tour since there were a few in the group who have never been. We brought the five boxes of books which Kourtney graciously accepted and said that they send books home with the children to encourage them to read outside of school. We also delivered the homemade headbands and a check from the WV Mission Festival. Kourtney mentioned how much they appreciate the hats, scarves and mittens that we collect and send each January on our mitten tree. Kourtney let us know that they are considering expanding their program since the only other after school program in Bluefield has closed. The Wade Center might decide to increase the number of children that they serve. This will be a financial challenge. The Outreach board will keep in contact with Kourtney about how we may be able to help.

We also visited Mary Claire’s house (where we worked last year) and dropped off a prayer shawl. We knew that she would be at home since she is visiting her sick brother.

After some lively discussion on the quickest way to the worksite, we arrived at Estill’s to continue working.

Mary and Deb are The Doubles painters (currently working on Estill’s aunt and uncle’s house up the road).

The kids worked on the porch, installed a door, painted and helped Estill clean up his yard.

Allyson crawled around under the trailer learning the fine art of applying spray foam insulation and discovered that the subfloor in the bathroom was in moldy bad shape. This led to another project: bathroom demo (!) which Chris and John started after finishing installing drywall.

Susan continued plastering, Alison sanded said plaster and Allyson tried to learn how to plaster (won’t be working in the union just yet).

All in all, we made lots of steps forward and a few back. We are getting to know Estill a little more every day. And – we are trying our best to be a blessing! Here's some photos from the worksite.

After a hard day's work, Dairy Queen is essential!

We think often of you all (especially while eating) and know that you are with us.

Before our showers, we participated in a group whipped cream arm-launch event. Happily, it ended messily.

Wednesday is BBQ night and after that, we were treated to a house concert by Jim Costa who told stories and played various Appalachian tunes on fiddle, banjo and harmonica. A treat!

Jimmy Costa and Tim Mainland playing a duo

A few more evening photos:

From John

Before going to the worksite, Nicholas and I met Clarence at Lowes to get Estill's new door and window. Once again, the Lowe's cards are continuing to bless Estill.

When I got to the worksitre, we had some time to talk to Estill and learn the story behind his homelessness. Apparently, he had a pretty nice home at the site, which burned down from the heater igniting a fire. I can't imagine Fire engines getting up this steep, narrow road. Of course, there was not adequate water pressure to put out the fire so two trucks had to get water from below and then feed the main engine. Of course, Estill had no home insurance, so he has been surviving by his considerable wits in his trailer.

Estill also shared some photos of what the trailer that we are working on looked like before the work crews came. Here's a few photos.