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Now thank we all our God with heart and hands and voices Who wondrous things hath done, in whom this
world rejoices….* Thanksgiving
seems the best time to share God stories from WVMAW. We are so thankful for TEN YEARS of getting to reach out beyond
the walls of our churches and offer healing and hope to so many families around West Virginia. We are so thankful for volunteers
from all over the US who give their time, talents and funding to share their gifts with us. We are so thankful for families
who allow us into their homes and into their hearts. We are so thankful for churches and individuals who send us financial
support that allows us to continue to operate this ministry. We are so thankful for God’s word that encourages
us, strengthens us, and reminds us that mission is who we are in Christ. The year 2011 will be remembered as one
of marked disaster for many places in the US and beyond. As West Virginians we are thankful that we have been spared
the spring and summer flooding that has been disaster for us for many years. We continue to reach out to families
in need—hoping that by strengthening some homes they will withstand the disaster that is sure to come around again.
Furthermore we work to bring a hand up to families in need: aging families with no way to get work done; special needs
families who require handicap access for safety; children who need a home that is warm and safe and dry. Before
and After: A new porch for a family of four! This year we have been able to serve over 125 families. We have been blessed with
about 626 volunteers from 76 groups. These groups represent PA, IN, OH, NC, SC, NY, MD, VA, CT, GA, IA, IN, TX, MN,
KY, TN, NJ, FL, DE and even WV. Based on $20.85 per hour, volunteers worked 19,532 hours valued at $407,242. We
are thankful for these numbers, but ministry is not about numbers. …and what does the Lord require of you? To do justice,
and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6:8 In a nutshell we are called to do justice: and so we actively build bridges between those who have and those who have needs. We are called to love kindness, ! 2 which is about building relationships with one another.
Another translation says “mercy” which is about walking in someone else’s shoes. Far more important
than any nail we drive is the relationship we build with the families we serve. Walking humbly with God is not about thinking less of ourselves—it is about not thinking of ourselves at all.
That’s when we can serve with all of our heart and let God surprise us! If we have our minds made up about
what mission should look like, then we miss so much of the grace. Brief summary of work performed: The 2011 locations included: Montgomery, Mount Hope, Hampden, Kopperston, Colcord,
and Huntington. All workcamp locations helped to repair and rebuild decks, porches, wheel chair ramps, roofs, ceilings,
rebuilt walls, sheetrock, underpinned mobile homes and houses. Some groups even did major plumbing and electrical projects. Some
groups took on major bathroom and kitchen repair. WVMAW supervisors work hard to challenge the teams to go far beyond
painting and yard work! WVMAW worked with Cabell Lincoln Work Camps in Huntington this summer. Invited by Bates
Presbyterian to house mission teams, we followed up on projects that could not be completed during the week of work
camp projects in June. Most of these projects were in rural Wayne County, not far from Huntington. Jeff Glover of Carmel,
IN was the site supervisor. Using left over and “found” materials, Jeff and the team from Englewood,
NJ helped the homeowner out by building a wood shed to help her keep her wood dry. Just an example of going above and
beyond! Jeff called it his no cost add on. Partners and Strays: Sometimes when there is a small group, we have found that we can combine teams and make for a great experience all around. We
have several groups who have welcomed “strays” which we define as one or two folks who want to do
mission but don’t have a full team. And several small groups have combined to ! 3 make one larger
team. Now many of these teams demand to work together year after year! God blesses us with new friends from across the
miles. Why
we do this….. Gracie’s Story Gracie is 38 years old, and has been the primary care giver for her
family all of her adult life. See, when Gracie graduated from high school as the Valedictorian, she had a full
ride to WVU. But when her father became ill, she was not able to go. Instead she helped to care for him until he died.
She has continued to care for her mother with dementia, and for her 2 sisters and brother who are mentally challenged.
Every day her life is the same story of feeding and caring for each of them with their special needs. Some days
she takes them to the doctor. Some days she can get away to the laundry mat. Their home has never had hot water, nor
a lavatory in the toilet room, nor a shower. But in her humility Gracie only asked if her leaking roof could be patched.
When Beth Stone, CLP for the Mt Hope Church, visited her, Gracie said she was the first visitor they had since
she could remember. When the saints arrived with lumber and ladders and hope, Gracie was overwhelmed. She wrote a poem
that she originally gave to Beth and she shared it with the saints that have changed her life: The door stood there silently Weathered
and worn by the wind and rain No one understood its sorrow No one knew its pain. You see the door belonged
to a family Which it seemed that time forgot Why didn’t someone visit? Just the thought would mean
a lot. So here the door stood waiting Trying not to weep While inside, the family lay, abandoned and alone Crying
themselves to sleep. Suddenly—at last—could it really be? A hand raises slowly and gently begins to
knock For the Lord had sent an Angel—with outstretched arms she spoke ! 4 Be
not afraid—I am here to help—I have not come to mock. Now the
door stands proudly gleaming As
the sun shines from the heavens above It seemed all the door and its family needed Was just a little kindness
and love. Gracie listened
to the rain without fear for the first time in years. She is so happy with the porches on the front and back of her
home! She said when she took everyone outside on them, she caught herself saying, "Be careful! Watch your step!"
She said she doesn't have to say that any more and it will take a while to lose that. Our mission debrief
was moving as we reflected on this experience. Someone said she is a candidate for Extreme Home Makeover. But in reality
that would not be good for the siblings who would not understand. Someone else said she has actually done a disservice
to her family by enabling them to remain in this substandard lifestyle. Yet Gracie says that this was the only way the
family could stay together. Institutions and nursing homes would separate them and leave them confused. It is her chosen burden.
Someone said she should have a washer and dryer, yet this would steal her time out, and the socialization she has with
others in the laundry mat. She treasures this time. Beth and Juanita, an elder from Mt Hope, visit Gracie weekly
to encourage her. Gracie said that more people have come around these past few weeks than ever in her life put
together. She believes, she knows, that this new family is from God. Gracie reminds us that we cannot assume we have
what others need in terms of physical luxuries or even basics. She also teaches us that she has something that we need: dedication,
honor, devotion, love, and humility. Crossing the Delaware….blessings from our northern friends Sara Snowden shared how their meditation one evening made their work
so very meaningful: You
have kept count of my tossings; put my tears in your bottle. Are they not in your record? Psalm 56:8 The Delaware mission team had a challenge: replacing the floor for Terry in his home. Terry is a
very large man. He has many health problems and lives with pain. He lives alone, and has been uncomfortable even going
out for many years. But thanks to Cab and others who have been an advocate for him, he answers the phone for an electrical
repair company--their line goes to his home so he doesn't have to get out! When the water from the flood of March
2009 reached just below the floor of his house, it was enough to cause warping and damage months later. The mission
team is helping to shore up the floor so he can continue to stay in his home without fear of falling through the
floor. Sara told me that Psalm 56:8 was part of their meditation for the day as they reflected on their work.
The verse is about how God remembers our pain and our sorrow. Sara asked each team member to write down their own tossings
that God has bottled for them. They rolled them up, and placed them in a water bottle. When they ! 5 returned to Terry's to begin to repair the floor they had demolished, Sara placed the bottle
of "tears" in the foundation, and they covered it. It was for them a symbol of placing their own tossings
in the foundation on which God would build a new life for someone through their hands. There beneath the new floor
is a foundation of hope from God's word. And it is not just words. The bottle is a symbol of God's word lived
out, made flesh. It is a beautiful gesture to remind each of us of that our tossings are our own Gethsemane where
we have struggled to the point of tears, even to the point of a cross. And God, who knows each tear, is the God who
brings new life even from death. It is interesting that Psalm 56 is a psalm about overcoming fear. Verse 4 says: In God whose word I praise, in God I trust; I am not afraid;
what can flesh do to me?The final verse: For you have delivered my soul from death,
and my feet from falling, sothat I may walk before God in the light of life. God has used the Delaware folks to show Terry what God's grace looks like. God has used the Delaware team to show Terry what hope
realized looks like. And indeed as the psalm goes on to say, Terry's feet will not fall--they will not fall through
the floor! We pray for strength, for hope, and for peace for this man who struggles with fear and pain. May he be comforted
knowing that his home is safe and dry, and indeed may he walk before God in the light of life with gratitude and joy! WVMAW Working in Partnerships all year • Three Counties and Water Festivals! On April 21, September 29 and September 30 WVMAW joined with the WV Department of Environmental Protection
as a presenter in a Water Festival for the fifth graders of Putnam County, Fayette/ Nicholas County, and Wyoming/McDowell
County Schools. The festivals included presenters with water significance classes—from bugs to fish to pollution.
My presentation was on flood: how to listen to emergency warnings, where to safely go, what to safely do, and what recovery
means. Then we had a relay race: Teams put on a Tyvek suit, ran to hammer a nail into a board, then handed off
the Tyvek suit…then put on work gloves to tie a shoe…then threw sponges into the bucket to clean up…the
winners received prizes, and all got candy and a FEMA published book about flooding. It was exhausting, but great fun!
(BIG thanks to my assistants at each of these festivals: Barbara James, Putnam; Connie and Mike Burton, Fayette; Sherry
Neel, Wyoming.) • WVMAW partnered with South Park Presbyterian Church in Charleston, WV to coordinate a mission team that would help with VBS
as well as a needed project in their community. During the week of July 16 a team from Minnesota joined with South
Park to put on a roof, a deck, and work with children in the community. The collaboration was such a success that the
Minnesota group has asked to form a partnership with South Park for future mission! ! 6 ! ! Challenging projects for Minnesota • WVMAW helped to coordinate a work team to Rock Forge Presbyterian Church in Rock Forge, WV during the week of July 16. A team from New Jersey
helped to do some work projects in the community. • WVMAW was represented at Trinity Youth Conference in
PA during the first week of August. As the worship leader for the week I got the chance to share stories and sermons,
and talk about looking beyond the walls of our churches and into God’s kingdom. This conference is about forming
Christian leadership, and I got to witness some incredible leaders that give me great hope for the future of the church
and God’s word in the world. • On September 13 WVMAW partnered with Mike Jarrett of the Kanawha
County Emergency Ambulance
Authority to speak to the Ministerial Association of Randolph County. We spoke about Disaster Preparedness and church involvement
in recovery. Mike and I will partner in future conferences about Disaster Preparedness in 2012. • On September 18 WVMAW was part of the Mission Fair held at First Presbyterian Church, Bel Air, MD. Having been a partner with WVMAW for ten years,
it was a privilege to share what God is doing in WV, and to get to preach to old friends and new. • The week of October 9 the Presbytery of Scioto Valley brought a total of 39 volunteers that were split into two teams. One team was at Montgomery,
and the other at Colcord. On Wednesday the teams wanted to meet together, so the Mount Hope Presbyterian Church hosted
The
Presby Pickers and a
wonderful catered dinner! On Friday
evening both groups had communion at their respective work sites, however the half loaf of bread they shared was from
one. It was a wonderful symbol of being one in mission. • On October 22 WVMAW was invited
to Glade Run Presbyterian Church,
Valencia, PA for their women’s luncheon. The women of the church had a shopping fair for local vendors. Worship
followed lunch and the focus was on giving thanks for blessings. That was certainly an easy subject on which to ! 7 preach! Glade Run has been a partner for ten years and we are grateful for their hands of hope each
year! • As full time Executive Director of WVMAW I have been able to do a lot of pulpit fill. This gives me the opportunity to share about
WVMAW around the state, and to get to know congregations. I am grateful for the opportunity to preach at Richwood,
Upper Glade, Mount Hope, Bradley, Rock Forge, Comfort, Frankfort, Colcord, Highlawn in Huntington, and in Charleston
at Kanawha United, Bream Memorial, and Village Chapel. Future Watch for our new web site with updated information about site locations and details! It will be www.wvmaw.org. (Thanks Kristen Lohe, Carmel, IN for your web expertise! And to Rev. Dr. Eric Lohe and all of our friends at Crossroads Church at Westfield
for helping us with the domain!) In the new year we will be hosting teams in Hampden, Montgomery, Colcord, Huntington,
Oak Hill/Summerlee, and Clarksburg! We are thankful for each site partnership, both old and new, that gives us the opportunity
to serve God and build the Kingdom in Jesus’ name. O may this bounteous God through all our life be near us With
ever joyful hearts and blessed peace to cheer us And keep us in God’s grace, and guide us when perplexed And
free us from all ills in this world and the next.* In Christ’s love, The Reverend Joan Stewart, Executive Director TAX DEDUCTIBLE DONATIONS AND
CONTRIBUTIONS MAY BE SENT TO: WVMAW 520 Second Ave S. Charleston, WV 25303 * Hymn 555 in Presbyterian
Hymnal: Now Thank We All Our God, written by Martin Rinkart in 1636—timeless words of thankfulness! J oanandtim.stewart@gmail.com 304-846-2294
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