Twice a week this summer we will be doing house fix-ups. When I saw this on the list of ways we were going serve Ypsilanti, I assumed we would be going to slightly run-down houses and doing some painting, cleaning, and general house repairs. This is how we were going to show love. What I did not expect from these house fix-ups, is all the love and inspiration we would receive in return. As Sarah said in her blog last week, the people we are serving are much more amazing than we are and their faith is beyond what I can imagine.
On Saturday morning I was a little tired and not really in the mood to be joyful all day. To be honest, I was in the mood to complain about the heat, lack of sleep, and sore muscles. When the Flint missionaries arrived and we left for the house, it was a difficult to put a smile on my face and be cheerful. Then I spent just a little bit of time with J, the homeowner, and my attitude took a 180.
We arrived at the house and J walked outside. Before even a greeting he said, “Should we pray?” Immediately that was a sign that God was the most important thing in his life and everything else came second. This fact was only reinforced when we walked into the house. Images of Jesus, Mary, and the saints covered the walls, dressers, and night stands. The Catholic TV station was playing in the bedroom.
A little while later in the day I got the chance to sit down with J and hear the story about how he and his wife, Jo, were given the great gift of this house from God. In January of 2010, tragedy hit J and Jo. J came home one day at lunch to check on Jo when she was sick. She mentioned the smell of smoke and when J opened a door, a fire flared up. J helped his wife get dressed and out and then ran back inside to get the car keys. In an instant, they were left homeless with a total of $2.63 in their checking account and not even a pair of shoes. Fr. Bob helped them to get an apartment and paid for the first month's rent; however, it wasn’t a place to live. They were surrounded by drugs and danger. Somehow, everything fell into place from there.
An elderly woman that J knew was selling a house for $90,000. Jo’s sister was willing to buy the house for $50,000 and rent it out. The seller refused, insisting she wanted a family to live in the house her father built. She then asked if J and Jo wanted it and told them to find as much money as they could. After getting turned down numerous times, they were able to obtain a loan for $17,000 from a credit union. The elderly woman accepted the offer at a huge loss. J and Jo turned the house into their home and have been living there now for just over a year.
J told me when he tells that story a lot of people say, “That’s weird. Wow.” J responds, “That’s God. Wow.” Continually through the story, J would point out little things, saying “See how God works?” The house isn’t the largest or fanciest house, but it is definitely filled with love and God. J offers everything he does for God. I have heard many people say they offer everything they do for God. I have attempted to do the same, but when J said he vacuums for God, I realized how little effort I put into that. J and Jo have so little, yet offer so much.
By the end of the fix-up, it was hotter outside, I was more tired, and my muscles were more sore, yet I was a happier person. After hearing J’s story, complaining not only seemed fruitless, but ridiculous. It is obvious to me now that the people I am serving this summer will change my life more than I can ever hope to change theirs.
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