Restoring The Broken Places

The beginning of a great restoration for both the home and for Mr. Dodson

So often, the families and individuals we serve are very connected to their homes, neighborhoods and communities. But when properties become badly damaged or in need of extensive repair, extenuating circumstances result in unlivable situations, insurance disparities and possibly the loss of a family home. That is the kind of situation for which we can offer hope and restoration in a unique way. For example, we have been receiving requests to help with flooded homes in LA, because many of the damaged or destroyed homes were not in flood plains, and therefore carried no flood insurance.
Theodore Dodson Jr. a veteran of Vietnam and a resident of Birmingham, lived in a house that had fallen into disrepair to the point that the city wanted to condemn it. This would have been devastating for Mr. Dodson seeing has he had no other place in which to live. His house was originally owned by his parents. So for Mr. Dodson, this house did not just provide shelter, it was his home, and it reminded him of his family. Though his house was slated for destruction, his application somehow came across our desk and by the end of July, his life and his house started a journey of transformation.

Volunteers pray with Mr. Dodson as they begin work on his home.

When we heard about Mr. Theodore Dodson, Jr., an elderly veteran of the Vietnam War and a resident of Birmingham, we wanted to see if we could help with his situation. His house fell into such a state of disrepair that the city wanted to condemn it. This would have been devastating for Mr. Dodson, because he would have been forced to leave his house without recourse. Beyond the housing need he faces, he also has a deep connection to the house because the house was first owned by his parents. For Mr. Dodson, this house did not just provide shelter, it was his home, and it reminded him of his family. However, his application for assistance with an unsuccessfully repaired leaky roof came across our desk, and we went to access the situation. Our eternal optimist and challenge-hunter construction supervisor, Aaron Parsons, felt that Mr. Dodson’s house was merely a “…diamond in the rough. All it needs is a little polishing.”

Needless to say, “a little polishing” has involved months of reconstruction and rehabilitation of an aging and dilapidated structure. On that Saturday, July 23rd, we were able to start full remodel construction on his “fixer-upper”. We had about 40 volunteers working that day to start tackling a long list, including putting up vinyl siding around the house and painting the exterior trim. Since then, we have had many volunteers help us fully gut three rooms, install new kitchen cabinets, and by the final reveal, paint and furnish the entire interior of the house.

We are planning a Dedication Service for Mr. Dodson’s newly remodeled home this Thursday, September 15th. If you are interested in coming to pray with us and celebrate God’s provisions, watch for details on our Facebook page! And stay tuned as we continue to tell more of this miracle story.