That June, his home was severely damaged by a history-making flood. The water rose past the first-floor level of his home causing a great deal of interior damage and sweeping the deck away. The water also eroded the soil from around a wall of the home’s foundation.
Because Lawrence was recovering from an auto accident that left him with a neck injury, he wasn’t sure how to get the repairs done on his home. But he was determined to return it to a safe place for him, his wife, and his mother, to live.
The exterior concrete wall of the carport shifted and cracked during the flood, leaving that part of structure unstable. As a result, the garage wall needed to be removed and replaced.
When World Renew Disaster Response Services (DRS) contacted him, Lawrence was overjoyed to know that the help he needed was coming.
“Lawrence said that we were helping him and his family get their lives back,” said volunteer Ken Evans. “And we thank God that we were able to be of service.”
World Renew DRS volunteer work teams fixed the damaged deck above the carport and built new support beams for it. Using some serious persuasion, a sledge hammer, and a concrete saw, they removed the damaged cement wall. The volunteers then replaced it with a more solid wall built from 2-foot by 6-foot studs and a treated-plywood. This ensured that the structure would be safe and secure once more.
“The work we are doing in High River is meaningful for both our volunteers and the homeowners,” says World Renew DRS Director Ron Willett. “Our volunteers donate their time and energy to help homeowners restore their flooded homes because that is how the Lord has called them to serve.”
If you would like to volunteer in High River, Alberta, visit worldrenew.net/drs to get started.
To support those affected by disasters this year, please give generously to Spring/Summer Storms today.
