They Would Have Done It Themselves, If They Could

After the tornado hit, Chris and Tina lived in a small trailer for six months. They moved back into their home when only part of it was livable. Chris decided that the best way to repair the house was to learn about home reconstruction. He was working on rebuilding when he was involved in an accident that resulted in the loss of his arm. A short time later, he was diagnosed with a degenerative disease that doctors said would eventually claim the rest of his physical independence. The couple’s challenges were piling up.

World Renew DRS has been sending volunteer teams to help with rebuilding efforts in Brookport, and a team from Orchard Hill Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was blessed to help Chris and Tina.

“We were incredibly affected by our week with Chris and Tina,” said Laura Claus, one of the group’s leaders. “They went through so much, but they didn’t give up. They live each day with a sunny disposition. Our Orchard Hill Church family sends a team of adults on a one-week disaster response trip in North America each year. We do this because God first loved us. We are always humbled and blessed by the relationships we form and the work we get to do. We are blessed to be a part of what God is up to through the work of organizations like World Renew.”

While they were in Brookport, the Orchard Hill Church group built a wheelchair ramp for Chris who will likely lose his ability to walk on his own soon.

“Chris worked alongside us, doing whatever he could to help build the ramp,” Claus said. “Chris and Tina would have done the work themselves if they could. We were glad that we could be part of making their home more accessible. Before we left, we had the opportunity to pray with Chris and Tina, and they expressed their thanks to God for the help they received.”

Groups of all kinds have opportunities to serve with World Renew DRS every week of the year. If you would like to coordinate a group mission trip for your church, see worldrenew.net/drs for locations, details, and to get started.

*Names changed to protect privacy