West Virginia … part 2….
More tales from our intrepid team!
“Thank you, God, that Cathy saved Dax’s head!”
That prayer by Macrae Hanke on Friday evening pretty much sums up my second West Virginia trip with Restoration. Having spent Thursday and most of Friday working in the vicinity of the community center, I had some free time Friday afternoon and headed down to Nancy’s trailer to see if I could help the team working on her roof. I stood in the back and watched as people moved things around — including removing the screws that held a pole supporting a gigantic TV antenna to the back of the trailer. As the antenna started to fall precariously toward Dax Terrill, who was on the roof, people started shouting, and I yelled, “Look out, Dax!” He held his arm out and was able to stop the antenna before it hit his head — or worse. It was, I believe, a miraculous confirmation from God that I was meant to go on this trip.
Besides saving Dax from serious bodily injury, I enjoyed learning how to lay bathroom tile with Kelley as we helped Pastors Dave and Bonnie from Peoples Chapel. I was struck by what Bonnie said about a missions trip that she was leading. “People here have no money, but they give out of their need,” she said, emphasizing that the Bible commends doing so. That got me thinking about how I can “give out of my need,” whether time, money, energy or something else. I was also convicted by what David said about how we serve others because we are loved by God, not to get love. Too often, I do good deeds to get others’ approval, and I am grateful for the chance in Philippi to get strength from God to love the people around me — and even save their heads.
Cathy Guiles
The sweeping expanse of Appalachian valley and mountain range which suddenly comes into view at a magical place on Chestnut Ridge Road. The coffee, cookies and cake shared in the basement kitchen of Ford Run Pentecostal Church by Pastor Geneva, Bill and Rosie and Larry with the work crew staining their outdoor pavilion and deck. Our singing together to the accompaniment of John Westbrook’s guitar. Above all, the opportunity to share our life stories with one another in the context of our traveling and working together in a place that tests our limits and expands our horizons for ministering to a broken world as a body of redeemed people.
Weber Ivy
