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| Redeemer Church members from Damascus, Maryland came for a week to help CSM transform a house and in the end, everyone's life! |
My name is Jackie Cromer and I am from Maryland. I am a lifelong Lutheran and grew up in a family that was very involved in church life and outreach. I have been a part of Redeemer, Maryland's mission trip ministry since Hurricane Katrina. It hasn't always been easy - there have been a lot of times when obstacles have been put in my way - but God has always put someone there to help me overcome them.
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| David King and Aaron - brothers forever |
I have no special skills other than a willingness to try anything and do my best. I can paint and do drywall, clean just about anything, and organize, but would really rather not play with power tools. It's best for all involved. I have aches and pains that make me a little less strong and flexible than I think I am. My spirit is always willing, but sometimes the body says "no." I need to listen more to Him than to myself.
Meeting David King was amazing - here was this wonderful Child of God welcoming us with an amazing smile and even more amazing hugs! I can only imagine how I would feel to have a group of strangers come and completely redo my home - Fear? Anger? Sadness? Embarrassment? Overwhelmed? Whatever he may have felt, what I mainly saw was the wonder and excitement that here were fellow Brothers and Sisters in Christ that had come to help him joyfully. Continually thanking and praising God. Yes, there were a couple of times when he looked tired, and was a little on edge, especially when it came down to deciding what was to stay, and what was to be replaced, which is understandable because of the memories. But in the midst of all the hard work going on, there was joy and there was laughter, and there was fellowship and even more hugs that spread beyond the walls of his home. It spread to the utilities office, his next door neighbors, and a man up the street. It was spread by a smile and a "Hi, how are you"?
All our talents and gifts were put to good use - somehow, everyone just picked a job and did it, whether it was prepping, painting, cleaning, demolishing and rebuilding the kitchen, refurbishing David's home - it all came together with work being done by several different groups, who, if not at the start, were friends at the end. I Peter 4: 10 says - "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms." Each one gave encouragement not only to David, but to each other. It was so wonderful to work alongside him and them! We were all empowered. We took time to learn more about each other and to praise and support each other. We prayed together. We ate together. We were, and are, the Body of Christ. That is the common thread that ties us all together. My only regrets are that we had to leave a day early due to the impending hurricane weather, and that I did not get to see the finished result.
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| Jane Ann Stone with leading the "decorating committee" |
I do not know what the future holds for me, or any of us. I only know that I am here on earth to be His Hands and Feet, and that I will always try to do His Will to the best of my ability, and to encourage others to know and love Him as I do. I eagerly look forward to what He has planned
for me, the whole team, and David.
In His Perfect Peace and Love - Jackie
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| Listen to David King's reaction to the "Big Reveal" |
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| Mr. King receiving a cross to place over his door |
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| Joy on everyone's face |
