A Couple of Couples Serving in Midland

It's been nearly three months since the devastating flooding in Midland, Michigan. During that time a couple of couples (along with many others) have been serving together in the disaster relief efforts and share their experiences.

Cary & Judy Hirdes

Tom & Linda Kennedy (L) with Cary & Judy Hirdes (R)

We traveled to Midland, MI on June 16 and parked our Fifth Wheel trailer at the Christ Covenant OP Church. They were very accommodating to arrange for us to have electric and water hookups.Our assignment was to coordinate the dry wall replacement in the basement of the home of Tom & Linda Kennedy. Just days before we left we only had a couple of volunteers and wondered if we should postpone it for a week or so. But within a few days the list grew almost by the minute assuring us that we were ready for this project.We were thankful to have a crew of several members from the New Life Fellowship in Holland, MI and from the Grace OPC in Zeeland, MI to help with the work. It was amazing to see them form teams and work together even though some had never met before that day. We worked there Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The following week Monday through Friday we had several different volunteers on various days. By Friday afternoon all of the drywall was hung and much of it had begun the mudding process. Cary also helped Tom Kennedy with installing the humidifier on his new furnace and installing a new small water heater for his in-floor heat system.The Kennedy’s were so grateful for the help, but also very hospitable by providing a wonderful lunch each day for the whole group. They also allowed the workers to take their showers there each day after working.The church was also very hospitable in providing a variety of foods for everyone for breakfast each day. Several of the women also provided wonderful meals for us each evening. All of the other workers slept in the church.

Don & Sue McCrory

For a week in July, we provided hospitality support for volunteers who wielded hammers and saws at the Moots’ house outside of Midland, Michigan. Our job was to prepare hot breakfast and supper for the workers, to clean up the shower trailer, and to make sure everyone got a good night’s rest for the work of the next day. Our work was a cinch, thanks to the church’s two freezers filled with a cascade of casseroles prepared by the church ladies. In the fridge were eggs and milk and breakfast breads and much more.Prepping the meals was fun – what can go wrong when there is a big Kroger [supermarket] right across the street? – but eating with the volunteers was the highlight. Here were men and women, old (sort of) and young, skilled and unskilled, all on the same mission, all committed to moving the rebuild forward. And for us, we got to stand in the back and observe Christ’s body in action. We’re so thankful for the privilege to serve and we’re looking forward to going back soon.