Up in the Air

I don't have a bucket list, but if I did, painting the second story of a house from a boom would be on it. Last week, I got to check that experience off of the non-existent bucket list. It was like a free carnival ride and it was awesome.

Angel operating the boom, and obviously, those are ladders, not me, in the boom. I couldn't take a picture of myself up there.

 

Angel and I had the opportunity to join in on a community work project put together by my grandparents' church. If you've ever heard of the city of Flint, you know its reputation--but Flint is one of my many homes. This church is located very close to downtown Flint, and about 8 years ago some of the members who work in construction had the idea that one of the most effective ways that this church could make an impact in their own community was to help their neighbors in a very practical way: By spending a week every summer taking on home improvement projects for local homeowners who lack the financial or physical means to perform needed improvements on their own homes.

Every year, the teams managed to tackle projects on about 8 to 10 houses in the neighborhood--we specialize in putting on new roofs, painting houses, and rebuilding rotting porches or stairways. I am so grateful that this group has seen a need in their own community and figured out a way to meet that need and be a blessing to the people around them using the skills they have. A lot of people who see us working on the houses ask why and what we're doing--to me, one of the best explanations is found in Micah 6:8,

"He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

Justice, mercy, and humility--that's what we're supposed to be about. This work project allows us to make friends with people living near the church building and meet their physical needs while also letting them know that the reason why we do what we do is because of what Jesus did for us. This is my third year joining in on the work project. Angel cares, perhaps a little too much, for his wife's physical safety, so I didn't join any of the roofing teams at his order (I was only standing on a roof to paint the side of the house). I got to work on three different homes that were painted. Angel couldn't stay the whole week since he had to go back to the hospital to work, but he was able to be there for a couple days.

 

People like Angel and I just provide the muscle for the project, and that's easy (or, in my case, it's less muscle and more just a stubborn willingness to work). Leaders of this project take on all the huge and complicated tasks of deciding which projects to take on, acquiring supplies and equipment, getting permits, and organizing teams to complete the labor on time. I am inspired by the people who have the vision to keep this project happening every year and the mark that it leaves on Flint is plain to see.

I feel like most of the time, the only Christians you hear about are the ones who get into big trouble because they aren't living out what they claim to believe. I simply want to say a thank you to those who are willing to put their time and money where their mouth is. These guys actually DO what they believe, and I'm glad to know them.