Yup, it official hit the fan today. Yesterday was a rousing success as we had extra help painting, which allowed us to put more people outside to clear the future garden. 3 feet deep of wet dirt and gravel spread over 100+ square feet is a lot of work… a lot of back-breaking work. However, 2 days in and a crew of hardworking kids left us a bit deflated with a number of question marks as the day closed.
That is when a bomb fell on Mt. Vernon Alliance Church. First thing in the morning, the old, overfilled dumpster was hauled away and replaced by a fresh dumpster ready to be filled with all matter of brush and rock and dirt. Again we had a number of adults from Bedford come down, including the Esselborn’s and Claudia (who single-handedly turned the filthiest looking fridge you have ever seen into a more than suitable storage facility of refrigerated goods).
Also, Kirsten called in a favor with her old man who owns a construction company. Around 11 in rolled a fleet of vans, a back hoe and a dump truck to haul it all away. It truly changed the face of what we expected to do this week.
In a matter of a couple hours the dirt and gravel that would have taken us the rest of the week, and the rest of our backs, to clear was gone and hauled away. Leaving us with just enough gravel to lay a base for the garden. It was absolutely tremendous watching the machinery and men roll in and take care of business like they did this afternoon. God is BIG! With all that cleared we could continue right on sifting gravel to lay and turn more attention to the chaos of painting ensuing inside. Harold Bruschi brought down his painting expertise and in a few hours, expertly trimmed walls and ceiling, allowing us to completely finish 2 different areas of painting as well as start on the floor.
Another crew of men, assisted by Mr. Esselborn, installed carpet in one of the rooms downstairs.
Orlando officially declared it suitable for a child, quite the milestone for a church that 2 days ago didn’t have a room suitable for children, quite the obstacle for a church looking to bring in more families. Throughout the day a host of women came and occupied the kitchen, fixing a mouth-watering, stomach satisfying dinner of homemade meatball sandwiches.
While it certainly wasn’t all smooth and calculated (is it ever really), it was truly humbling and just mind-blowing to watch a bomb drop on a church and literally transform not just a day or a week but and entire church in a day’s time. Finally, as we wore into the afternoon we changed pace a bit and headed off to Hartley park (about .5 mile away) where about 20 of us descended armed with trash bags and gloves to clean up the garbage that so prominently dotted the landscape. After only a couple short hours and maybe 7 full trash bags, the park was far more suitable for the people and families that inhabit it during than the day. We wrapped up the day with the food that had tantalized us all day and then a prayer service held here this evening.
That is where, despite some resistance on my part, God dropped a bomb and me. He really just knocked me over as he dropped the perspective of a few hard days work can have on the hope and plan for a church and city in such dire straights. He overall reminded me that this is where I’m supposed to be and what I’m supposed to be doing. He reminded me that while I’m so lost and weak on my own, that He has such great and prosperous plans for me; He is in control and He will bring about far more in me and through me than I could even imagine. Filled with both the humbleness of God’s great goodness and the impact a handful (or 2) of kids and some adults can have on a church and community. While this week may be starting to run short, it is not without great impact and significance for both us and this community. This week (thus far) has truly been a demonstration of the power of prayer, hope and vision for a people, a church and a community. So here’s to praying for more bombs.
-Eric Urschel
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