Disaster Response- Greenwood Indiana

Penny and I were part of a group from PleasantDale Church of the Brethren to travel to Greenwood Indiana to volunteer with home repair from last years floods. We were in Alaska when the floods hit last year and were shocked at the damage and joyful our denomination choose to set up a site. Since last Nov. groups have traveled from all over the nation to show their love to folks in the hardest hit areas.We spent the week in four homes doing major repair and more importantly listening to peoples accounts of that horrific night in June.

Several spiritual events filled this week , they will be posted soon.

For More Info: Alaska Projects

For more information concerning our Alaska projects please check The Decatur Daily Democrat's web-site. Check May 27, 2008 and Sept. 27, 2008. You will find front page articles on both service missions. In the May issue it states 15 out of 15 plants were successful. That should have stated 15 out of 15 varieties, several hundred plants.

In the Sept. issue it stated the number of hikers not the number of planes. There are 100 hikers on average a day landing in Arctic Village during the summer months.

Miracle Hill: South Carolina

Penny's mom, aunt Linda, Penny, and I drove to Greenville, So. Carolina to spend a couple days service work at Miracle Hill Ministries. Linda's brother-in-law, Gerald Lehman, guided this act of love decades ago which is now run by his son Reid Lehman...WWWmiraclehill.org...please check it out! Penny and I found this to be a much larger operation then we imagined. There are several facilities around the region housing hundreds of homeless. The annual budget is in the millions with one hundred fifty employees, and many volunteers.

We were welcomed into Reid and Barb's home and were so comfortable there. Penny and I worked with Reid at the Spartanburg Rescue Mission. We cut plywood strips and installed 6-ply plastic on windows throughout the building. They are saving to pay for new windows to be installed in 2009. The nice folks were very appreciative of us before they heard we traveled from Indiana to volunteer; we were treated so well. We ate with the homeless instead of leaving for lunch to hear so many share their stories. Each member of the staff had their own testimonials which made the trip that much more meaningful. From the outset we found ourselves surrounded by need and joy as we shared in hopes of inspiring clients to love themselves and be happy, to help them believe in the path their walking to begin to understand God's plan for them. My life and its mistakes are perfect examples that everything happens for a reason. Take those life experiences and make yourself a better person. Put yourself in a position to help others walking the same path and show them your new spirit. Show them their plight is NOT a life sentence if they surround themselves with loving people...that's why we were there, installing plastic kept them warmer and heating costs lower, which is good.

We plan to help from afar (towels are needed). I so look forward to a return visit. They have six thrift stores so much can be sold for needed funds. It would be so wonderful to be heading south and know you could be a carrier of Love by dropping off donated items to Miracle Hill in Greenville So. Carolina on the way. If that fits you as a friend to the folks helping the weak and needy please contact Penny or me to make this connection.

To be used as a tool to do the Lords work is wonderful; to learn so much about myself and my faults makes me a better Christian to help others and have a more rewarding life. Win, win again, how great it is to do the Lords work!!!

Habitat for Humanity-Alaska 2009

Our 2008 trip volunteering in Fairbanks was such a success plans are being made for this summer's service trip. We have planned August 9 2009 as our arrival date. We will volunteer from Monday the 10 through Friday the 14. This past summer's trip cost each person 30 dollars above the flight to Fairbanks. That included gas money to visit so many places in the Fairbanks area and thanks to PleasantDale Church of the Brethren's Mission Scholarship fund for picking up the cost of the rental vehicles. The noon meals were brought to us on site by members of the community along with good fellowship. Evening meals were brought to us two nights and we went to the home of a family a third night. That evening was as meaningful as anytime while in Fairbanks. We had plenty of space at the church we stayed at and a full kitchen to use cost free. The folks with Habitat along with the community were so grateful for our work ethics they hope to see us in 2009, yet we are thinking about meeting in Anchorage to meet new people and visit new places. Penny and I are very familiar with this part of Alaska and would enjoy giving tours to all that attend. Please contact us if you feel called to do the Lord's work in this incredible far away place.

Winter Garden: Arctic Village

Teachers in Arctic Village have began what I hoped for last year, a winter indoor garden. Heidi Rader (TCC) has sent seed and soil to the school along with a light system enabling not only students, but all the villagers the joy of gardening. The larger new school now gives them the opportunity for a healthy diet and more importantly changes their way of thinking. If you truly want change it must come from within. I have worked so hard the past six years to convey this concept through the recycling effort to sending hundreds of books and Sports Illustrated as a learning tool. Many,including Penny, have questioned why I would make such an effort. After last year's time in Arctic Village and Fairbanks Penny understands completely. The villagers laughed at my efforts in 2007, they are no longer laughing.

I wanted to begin this gardening project in 2005 yet my gut feeling told me to wait. This effort isn't about me or my schedule, this came about on God's time. Heidi Rader's job opened up three weeks before Penny and I walked into Tanana Chiefs Conference. The new school was built last year. Everything fell into place as it was to be, it had nothing to do with us.

The 2009 plans are in the works. I will travel to Arctic Village on or about May 20, Penny will join me when the school year ends. We will again turn down the offer of comfort and live in a tent throughout the summer. Leaving your comfort zone enables one to experience God's presence and better understand God's plan for you. My life, more than anyone I know, is an example that this is so true.

Arctic Village:Frist Things First

Heidi Rader has now confirmed that Arctic Village had a community wide garden for all to enjoy for the first time in their 20,000 year history. This is the beginning of not only fresh food each year, and a source of income from the hikers who fly in each day, but a mindset change that you must follow through on your passions in life. Both Penny and I have seen first hand that the youth of all ages are inspired by this effort not only in Arctic Village but everywhere we travel in Alaska. This effort will expand next year and then we will know where we are moving. Alaska is a big state. Many photo's will follow, and the DVD is near completion.

Believing in the path your walking: Bill and Penny

I was just contacted by a professor from Chicago. I heard him speak on National Public Radio six months ago. I felt called to write him after hearing the years he spent on his efforts to help folks realize their potential. I shared that after a death in my life, I strayed from the life I was leading to a path of self destruction. After several years of having too much fun being unhappy, I began rewalking the same path with a whole new spirit.

He would like to write an article about Arctic Village and why I've earned seven Gov. Special Tribute Commendations. I find it amazing that in each path of service I've walked, the new people I've met are wonderful, while at the same time the people closest to me question me and my character and call me horrible things.