Operation Go Bonnie, Go!

Bonnie’s house sits atop a hill that hasn’t had new gravel on it in 13 years. The combination of traffic, rain, snow and gravity itself had caused it to be a big muddy slope that even the hardiest of tires and engines had to take several tries to climb. On top of that, Bonnie has to use a wheelchair to get around. When I met her, she told me how she once loved to sit out in the garden and feel the cool breeze, but she couldn’t because the stairs off of her porch were too much to negotiate. So our mission was clear: get Bonnie out of her house!

She needed two big projects done- first, we needed to dig trenches and lay gravel in the driveway to create traction and irrigation for the runoff from all of the heavy Appalachian rains. Second, she needed a wheelchair ramp so she could go beyond her porch to sit and enjoy her yard. We proceeded to dig the trenches and pray for the funds for the lumber we needed- and we needed quite a bit. (To see how God Blessed us in that area, see the previous post “Jesus works at Lowe’s”). Once the lumber was purchased, and decking was donated by one cool guy named Ron, Bonnie sat at the door with the biggest smile waiting for the ramp to be completed, stating now she could take out her trash- you’ve gotta love her independence at age 94!

Finally we completed the work- to code, safe and sturdy on her ramp, and so excited was she that for her first trip down it, she walked! Not only were we a blessing to her, but she was even more of a blessing to us. Her tenacity and spirit was contagious. The teens on the crew were totally in love with her and she with them. In fact she asked for a photo of them all to place on her wall- a very high honor indeed! It’s amazing how working to be a blessing for someone else can be so fulfilling, so joy- inspiring, for all involved!Go Bonnie, GO! : )