As it turned out, Love says, “The neighbors had been on her to paint the house, but she didn’t have the money to do it.”
“She was definitely excited that we would come up and do this for her,” Christensen recalls.
Roughly 75 members of the church have spent the week painting Lusk’s house as well as doing projects on two other homes as part of the congregation’s first “Work Camp.” Christensen and Love found the first home, but church members recommended the second and third residences.
The accompanying photo shows landscaping to improve the look of the property. To see before and after pictures of the house along with work in the kitchen, see Work Camp.
Projects have included more painting, installing shutters and a walkway, and remodeling a kitchen. Love says he was amazed at how much was accomplished throughout the week, especially ahead of schedule. “We honestly didn’t think it would go this fast.”
One of the homeowners is 99 years old. “She just loved everything,” Christensen says. “We also completed painting a gardening shed as well as a small garage. The garage also got a new roof!”
Christenson approached Love with the idea in April 2007. She had done a similar outreach while attending Saranac Community Covenant Church in Saranac, Michigan, several years earlier.
The Whitehall congregation was eager to participate, which has had unplanned benefits for the church. People who might not otherwise have really known each other are forming friendships, Love says.
