A brighter day — report from Montgomery, West Virginia

Mrs. Pratt, from Montgomery, West Virginia, has rheumatoid arthritis in her body, macular degeneration in her eyes, and is in her 80’s.  She cares for her 35 year old grandson who is on medication to control his bi-polar disorder. 

Her home was once a mobile home with rooms that had been added on through the years.  The floor was beginning to cave in, making it dangerous for her and her grandson. 

Students helped to repair the floor, put in a new ceiling, and painted the dark walls of her rooms and hallway — making it brighter for her to be able to see.  But it was far more than the work the teams did that made life brighter for Mrs. Pratt — she loved the laughter that filled her house, the chatter of the students, and felt so much hope for the future of the world that all of these young people would come to West Virginia just to help make her house safe.  She said that she has felt blessed by God. 

Indeed that is the reason we serve — blessed to be a blessing.

This report was submitted by Joan Stewart, executive director of West Virginia Ministry of Advocacy & Workcamps (WVMAW), as part of the March 2009 WVMAW quarterly report. Read reports from the WVMAW ministry.