Kentucky Changers Impacting Lives of Those Less Fortunate
06/22/2011
Mount Washington homeowner Maudie Bell (center) stands with members of the Kentucky Changers crew that worked on her home last week and the bench they made for her to remember their time together. Bell’s home and farm have been in her family for six generations and had fallen into disrepair since her husband’s death three years ago. The teen and adult volunteer laborers made several repairs to Bell’s home, like replacing a rocky path from the front door with a new concrete walkway so Bell can better maneuver her motorized wheelchair. (Photo by Robin Bass)
MT. WASHINGTON—Maudie Bell understands the meaning of hard work.
The 87-year-old welder’s wife not only raised three of her own kids, she nurtured nearly 30 other children in her home through Kentucky’s foster care program—many of whom, she said, were mentally or physically challenged. Between fixing meals and routine housework, Bell also found time to milk cows and work alongside her husband in the fields on the family’s farm.
After her husband, James Edward Bell, died three years ago, Bell said she just could not keep up with all the repairs associated with a homestead that has been in the family for six generations. Add in the fact that her own health was failing and it is easy to comprehend how the exterior of her home was showing signs of neglect.
“I haven’t been able to do anything,” Bell said while holding on to her front porch railing for support.
So much around the Bullitt County house needs to be painted, mended or outright replaced that Bell was unable to pinpoint her greatest need. She motioned toward a power chair on the porch that was covered with a thin layer of dust. The equipment holds for her promises of independence and mobility, but the uneven rock path leading from her front door created a barrier Bell had not been able to maneuver.
Then, Bell smiled as she looked across her yard. Intermingled with her clucking hens was the sound of teenage chatter as a crew with Kentucky Changers busily moved about the home. On one side, a couple of young men were cutting foam insulation. By the drive, two young ladies spray painted lattice fencing. The rest were covering the front of the wood frame house with vinyl siding. As for the rocky, unstable path, it was gone. The students already had prepped the area for a smooth concrete walkway.
“I can’t describe what this means to me. I’ve never had anyone do this much for me,” Bell said. “These kids are a special bunch of people. I could never thank them enough. I love them all.”
The students at Bell’s home were among 180 youth serving with Kentucky Changers last week in Bullitt, Nelson and Jefferson counties. Led by more than 85 adult volunteers, the students provided much-needed home repairs for about 20 low-income residents in the region—all at no cost to the homeowners. Students also were encouraged to build relationships with the homeowners during their week of service, and to share both the love of Christ and the gospel message.
Joe Ball, youth ministry director with the Kentucky Baptist Convention, said 2011 marks the 18th year of the Kentucky Changers ministry—an initiative modeled after the North American Mission Board’s youth missions program, World Changers.
Lives changed all around
Ball, who has been involved since its inception, said Kentucky Changers has been just as much about impacting the students’ lives as the people they serve.
“We encourage the students to make much of Jesus, to share their stories with the homeowners and with anyone they come in contact with,” Ball said. “I think Kentucky Changers is an excellent way for students to do more and be more for Christ.”
Ball said his hopes are that students will learn much more than carpentry skills during the week, his desire is for them to learn that “they can be ministers to people wherever they are.”
Over the years, Ball said several Kentucky Changers alumni have gone on to devote their lives to the ministry of Christ.
Tyler Puckett, of Glensboro Baptist Church in Lawrenceburg, said he returned for a second summer with Kentucky Changers because of the joy he receives from helping others. “God helps me help them and it helps me be a better person,” the 14-year-old said.
Fellow Glensboro youth Makayla Gamble, 14, agreed the experience can have a profound effect on the hearts of teens. “Whenever you come here, you go home a different person. It changes your attitude completely,” she said.
Last year, more than 1,000 students from 51 churches across Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio and Virginia completed 90 repair or renovation projects. This week, Kentucky Changers continue their hands-on ministry in Paducah and will descend upon Maysville July 2-9.
Western Recorder issue date: June 21, 2011.
The Kentucky Baptist Convention is a cooperative missions and ministry organization made up of nearly 2.400 autonomous Baptist churches in Kentucky. A variety of state and worldwide ministries are coordinated through its administrative offices in Louisville, including: missions work, disaster relief, ministry training and support, church development, evangelism and more. For more, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter.
by Robin Bass, Parternship Editions editor
