This story was shared by our friend Verner Guthrie of Liberty United Methodist Church in rural Macon Co. Verner and his wife are active mission volunteers with our home repair and children’s day camp ministries. They have helped organize several teams from their church and serve on an individual basis. We hope you enjoy this story of their ministry with our friend Mrs. Bernice. Thank you Mr. Verner and Liberty UMC!
Mrs. Bernice with Mr. Verner and the Liberty UMC team
Over a year ago, Liberty United Methodist Church formed a team of three people to serve with Mrs. Bernice part of ARM’s Make a Difference Day of service in Lee and Macon counties. A handrail was built for the front porch, a screen door was fixed and some yard work was completed. The final project was to stain her deck, but rain moved in and we had to postpone that project. We shared a meal and a time of devotion with Mrs. Bernice and promised that someone would return and stain the deck – not knowing who that someone might be.
Some months went by and I happened to see Mrs. Bernice twice in the next year at ARM-related events. Both times she remarked how great it was that we had served with her and how much she had enjoyed our visit. She also reminded me in her gentle and sweet way about how we had never come back to stain the deck!
The newly stained deck
After seeing her for the 2nd time in a year, I got some supplies and my wife and I went over to Mrs. Bernice’s house on a nice weather day to start the project. While my wife visited with Mrs. Bernice, I started staining the deck. A neighbor who Mrs. Bernice lovingly calls “her son” came over and at first said he was too busy to help. But after some encouragement from Mrs. Bernice, once again in her own sweet and gentle way, he decided to lend a hand and we finished the project in half the time!
Even though it took a year, we were excited to complete this project with Mrs. Bernice. Now her back deck, which was built by a previous ARM team, can withstand the elements for years to come and provide a beautiful place for her to enjoy her home and exit safely. And just as importantly, we were able to deepen our relationship with Mrs. Bernice and share Christ’s love with her.
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