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Archive - Article 44
Forty-Eight Hour Miracle in Appalachia
6/21/02
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Old roof
being removed from house. |
The forty-eight hour span of time from May 4th through May 5th
was a miraculous time for a disabled couple living in the shadow
of the Appalachian Dream Center. For some time, this elderly, disabled
couple had lived in a house without adequate roofing. Time had eroded
the shingles and water had begun the decaying process on the decking
and trusses.
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Men from
Ider, AL replacing new roof. |
Knowing the need, Michael Hartwell, Director of Operation Compassion’s
Appalachian Dream Center, started the process of securing the necessary
help for this couple’s home. Two churches, Fairview Church
of God and Rainsville Holiness Community Church, committed to the
project but had a very limited time frame in which to work.
On May 4, 2002, after driving most of the night, nineteen men and
fourteen women arrived at the Dream Center around six o’clock
in the morning. They were tired and hungry but ready to work. After
a good wake-up breakfast by the Dream Center staff, this team headed
for the couple’s house to begin the forty-eight hour miracle.
 |
Roof is just
about finished! |
Over the next several hours, this miracle team that included for
teenagers, completely removed the old roof and replaced it with
a brand new non-leaking roof ready to last for the next twenty years.
Then the interior ceiling was repaired from the leaking that had
occurred, window ceils were repainted and the porch furniture was
given a face-lift with some paint as well. The first day was now
over and the team went back to ADC for some much deserved and needed
rest and a good dinner.
 |
Workers preparing
kitchen floor for replacement. |
After a few hours sleep and breakfast, this miracle team was back
at the house ready to complete their appointed tasks. The kitchen
floor badly needed repair. However, this team of dedicated workers
replaced the kitchen floor with new linoleum flooring. After doing
some needed general cleaning and laundry for this couple, someone
noticed that the wheelchair needed a new tray, which they purchased
locally, along with a new faucet for the kitchen sink.
 |
Ceiling needing
repair. |
Now, day two was over and it was time for this team to return home
to Ider, AL. Before they left, this team presented the couple with
a bouquet of fresh flowers and a lasting memory of their love and
miraculous teamwork. This elderly, disabled couple, without any
family to help, thought the rest of their lives would be spent in
a house needing so much repair was suddenly given a forty-eight
hour miracle. In so little time, this house was transformed from
a leaking house to a dry home. They were overwhelmed to say the
least!
Michael Hartwell said, “This is what we do, making reality
out of dreams!” “This is the heart of the Appalachian
Dream Center – making life a little better than the day before,”
continued Hartwell.
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Ladies from
the "Miracle Team" inside the house. |
When the dream center was only a vision in the mind of John Nichols,
President of Operation Compassion, this was the kind of project
that was envisioned. Lifting people out of their poverty while redeeming
them to God. The Appalachian Dream Center staff is fulfilling the
vision that was cast more than three years ago.
There was a forty-eight hour miracle in Appalachia! One elderly
couple can testify to it because they experienced it! Thanks to
the dedicated and hardworking men and women of Ider, AL, dreams
can become reality!
Was it mentioned that the work was completed while a steady rain
fell – what a miracle!
Tim Burdashaw
Communications Coordinator
Anyone interested in donating finances or products or providing
a corporate lead may contact:
Operation Compassion
David Lorency, President
114 Stuart Road, NE
Suite 370
Cleveland, TN 37312
423.728.3932 - Office
423.596.4200 - Fax
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