Her parents tried hard to get her to agree to move to another place, or have her double wide destroyed and replaced, but she was determined to stay in the home that held such wonderful memories for her. As she says, ‘this is my home!’
World Renew volunteers began working in Cindy’s house in November of 2017, but they encountered problems with mold which had to be dealt with before reconstruction could continue.
Cindy continued to live there, but she felt little hope for the future. She was in poor health, felt defeated, and was depressed. In the next months, a contractor completed mold mitigation and World Renew volunteers worked on other homes.
“As amazing as the changes to her home were, the changes in Cindy were even more remarkable.”
As World Renew’s time in San Marcos was drawing to an end* Cindy’s home was still on the list of homes requiring repair. With just a three week window, the last team of volunteers who would be working in the San Marcos area got busy.
First the skirting had to be reinstalled and a small deck built at the front door.
Then work started indoors. After replacing drywall, painting, trim work, caulking, flooring, and a complete rebuild in the bathroom over two weeks, things started looking up.
During the final week the team moved to the kitchen, living area and master bedroom and ensuite.
“We were beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel,” said team leader Steve Schroeder.
As amazing as the changes to her home were, the changes in Cindy were even more remarkable. As we worked for three weeks and her home was coming together, her spirits rose, her days got brighter and she was filling with hope. “I have a whole new start!” she remarked.
And, that’s why World Renew DRS volunteers do what we do: we bring hope to in the name of Jesus! Praise be to God!
Blessings,
Wally and Metha Alberda
World Renew Disaster Response Services volunteers
Learn more about World Renew DRS and get involved at worldrenew.net.drs.
*From March 2016 – March 2018 World Renew DRS operated a long-term reconstruction site in response to the spring and fall flooding of 2015 San Marcos, Texas. A site in Rio Grande Valley, Texas is also in response to 2015 flooding and will be completing work by December 2018.
