UMRC Newsletter

Charleston District

Volume 5, March 1998

A Word from the Executive Director

Dear Friends of the United Methodist Relief Center,

I want to share with you a true story that I just experienced last week (March 27). This story and many others like it are what cause me to state that "Miracles are our stock and trade".

Last week, Rev. Wilson, Family Selection Committee member, and I went to visit several homes in the St. George area to ascertain needs and feasibility of rehabilitating or replacing houses for families. We had visited those on the agenda when Rev. Wilson asked if I had time to see just one more.

As we arrived in the front yard I noticed it was a concrete block structure. This is encouraging as most block homes can be repaired. As we approached the front door I noticed a wheel chair ramp, a tin roof and many signs of deterioration. Rev. Wilson knocked on the door several times, but no answer. Maybe no one is home," I stated. "Oh no, she is here," was the reply. He pounded on the door and announced loudly several times, "it's the Rev." Slowly the door opened. An elderly woman, blind and in a wheel chair because she is a double amputee, appeared. As I looked around I could see urgent need for assistance. Julia, however, was glad to see us. She asked if we could make her doorways larger so that she could navigate them in her wheelchair. I was overwhelmed; "Julia, it seems to me that you have some serious health problems in addition to your housing needs, I stated. No mam! I have two legs off and I can’t see but I am fine," she quickly countered.

As I returned to the office, her simple trust and faith overwhelmed me. I prayed for Julia and her needs. The next day on my answering machine there was a message from Flora, an elderly woman whose home we had rehabilitated several years ago. "Just wanted to tell you that God has burdened my heart this morning to pray for you," was the message. Flora's husband is also blind and a double amputee. "Lord, is this the message? Blind but now I see?"

After praying about how to proceed, I called Nick Elliott, a friend who is actively involved in UMVIM (United Methodist Volunteers In Missions) and asked if he could help me find a person to undertake this project as it is at least a ninety minute drive from the office. Also the project needs to be undertaken in such a manner that it does not add additional burdens to Julia. Nick mentioned a couple of names, one being Rev. Noble Miller, and said he would contact them. The next evening, I attended a worship service and as I entered the church a man stood up and greeted me. "Hi Pat, I'm Noble Miller." No, Nick had not yet had a chance to contact him, however I'm convinced that God placed us both there so that we could continue His work for one of His less fortunate.

In His name,

Pat Goss

Dreams Do Come True

The volunteer House in now in use housing teams who have come to work on the current projects at Center. The addition of the facility to the mission of the UMRC has greatly simplified the housing of the many work teams that spend time with us. No longer must we scramble to find shelter for these hardworking people and no longer do they have to sleep on concrete floors or in area Campgrounds and share limited shower facilities.

A dream of Director Pat Goss, the two-year project is now a reality thanks to countless volunteer hours spent renovating the house and generous donations from so many individuals. The house itself and the funds to move it to its new location were donated by Dr. and Mrs. Dan Nixon. Thirty mattresses were given by Weil Mattress and the bunkbed frames are being built by Pinewood UMC in Matthews, NC. The second team to stay in the house, W. Carmel UMC, Patton, MD, brought with them items to completely outfit the kitchen from coffee pots and can opener to place settings and utensils for forty. Cam and Donabelle Mumper, volunteers who spend three weeks with the UMRC during our busy college Spring break month, saw the need for a new dishwasher and it arrived the next day.

While the house is up and running, the funds needed to cover ongoing expenses are in God's hands. The mortgage, gas and water expenses are not included in our administrative budget. Donations made by teams that stay in the house and supporters of the Relief Center are expected to eventually cover those expenses but the first few months are certainly a step in faith. However, God is good and does provide for his people as they accomplish his work. Your continued support and prayers for the "House for the Helping Hands" and the funds necessary for its operation are urgently needed.

God’s Squad - Those who God uses to do His works

Terry and Linda Rueff are "snowbirds", coming south to Mt. Pleasant to work with the UMRC until April. Living full-time in their twenty-two foot motor home since July of 1994, they have traveled to various mission projects throughout the U.S.

The "thirty-something" couple retired from their jobs, he as a paramedic and she as a physical therapist, three and a half years ago to follow God's call to "go and help people". Not that their careers didn't already fill that role, but God was calling them to sell their home and become full-time volunteers in the mission field. They actually call themselves missionaries so that others will realize that their focus is on serving Christ.

Much of the work of their second career has been helping to improve substandard housing conditions. Previous experiences have included: flood recovery in Albany, GA, home rehab at Red Bird Mission in the Appalachian mountains of southeastern KY, office work for Habitat for Humanity in southern CA, building with HFH in Coos Bay, Oregon and home rehab last winter at Sager Brown, a UM Mission in Baldwin, LA. That facility, much like UMRC, was developed by UMCOR for Hurricane Andrew recovery and now remains to address the poverty of that area. Packing clothing and blankets at the Brethren Service Center in New Windsor, MD and working on the maintenance crew at a church camp in NY are also missions where the Reuffs have served.

No matter where they have been called, Terry and Linda have been blessed with experiences and friendships beyond anything they could have dreamed of when they embarked on this journey. Following God's call has definitely led them to a life of adventure and service in His name.

Beyond a Merry Christmas

On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving, as Pat and Niki Toomes from Rural Development were surveying the rural communities of Awendaw and McClellanville, a family was discovered living in the most desperate of circumstances

Since their house burned two years ago, twelve people including a mother, her three daughters and their children (eight in all under twelve years of age) had been living in a mobile home on family land. The only source of electricity was a drop cord running through a large puddle from the house next door. The dilapidated trailer had no running water (water in dry wall buckets and jugs sat on the floor in the trailer), no sanitary disposal system (a chamber pot), an antique wood stove to provide heat and only two beds for the whole family. Despite the terribly overcrowded conditions the children were polite, well behaved and eager to assist in compiling information to complete an application for assistance.

The question was what to do; the family just couldn't wait the normal length of time it takes to provide assistance. Phone calls were made to Juanita Middleton, principal of the local elementary school and to Miriam Green, Berkeley Electric's Community Service Manager. "Find a house to rent and find it quickly, and I'll work on finding the funds," Pat told them. Miriam's second call resulted in the offer of a temporary fix. "Sure, I have a house," she was informed. "My mother is deceased and her home is empty. If you make the needed repairs, they can live there until you get something more permanent. It is a large home with two bathrooms and five bedrooms." The next issue became where to find the funding, Pat felt led to ask her church family, the members of Hibben UMC. After a plea on Sunday morning for funds to cover the estimated $3,000 in repairs, nearly $8,000.00 in cash as well as furniture, clothing and Christmas presents was donated. Teachers at the elementary school contributed sheets, towels, and a dining table large enough for this family. Rural Development provided food and one toy per child and Christ Our King (Niki's church) provided additional food and toys. On December 22, Pat delivered a tree, decorations, lights, and a truck load of presents.

As miraculous as all of this is, it is only the beginning. All three daughters are participating in a job assessment and placement program that may provide a springboard to more permanent employment. The family is out of danger but a permanent housing arrangement is needed. The UMRC is networking to find comprehensive solutions to both the employment and housing issues. Please keep this family in your prayers and we will continue to keep you updated.

Fundraiser Update

Just a note to let our supporters know that the UMRC Golf Tournament, held in November, was a resounding (if soggy) success. 54 golfers finished their 18 holes in the rain but came back to the Wild Dunes Club House to claim their winnings and to congratulate each other. The real winner, however, was the Relief Center. Three thousand dollars was raised that day and will be put to use providing improved housing for others.

Teams & Projects

March brings to the Lowcountry college students looking for an alternative way to spend their Spring Break. Armed with paint brushes and hammers they are coming from Maine, Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia and South Carolina to rebuild homes of those who cannot afford to do so themselves. Volunteers are the heart of our mission and the students who come here put their heart into this work.

Each week will bring approximately 45 students to volunteer their time in addition to the Americore group that arrived the last of February. Bruce and Clarence will definitely be kept busy supervising the work. With the help of Linda and Terry Reuff, our on-site missionaries and the Mumpers, long-time volunteers who spend three weeks with us each spring, the work will proceed at a breakneck pace.

And there is rnore than enough work to do. Scheduled rehabs included: Reroofing a home that was partially burned; major repair of the home of a grandmother and two grandchildren; construction of a new home for a mother and her two children and a new septic tank for a home without indoor plumbing. As soon as one project is completed there are at least two that could take its place. One nail at a time, though, progress is made.