June 1st-June 7th, 2025
NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS: 17
TEAMS WHO CAME AND WHERE FROM: Richard and Debbie Hall and JACOB’S GIFT and THE BRIDGE CHURCH from IOWA
PROJECT PROGRESS MADE:
APRIL KUMMERLE: This team made incredible progress for April Kummerle, finally bringing her home across the finish line with the exception of her well repair which is in waiting with the county.
Richard and Debbie and every member of their team were incredible. They worked tirelessly for four days finishing up the last punch list of items at April’s house. The team finished the stairs and railing on April’s deck, they jacked up and enforced the front porch foundation that had been washed out as well as finished up all indoor trim and door work that was left to do. .
BIG IVY COMMUNITY CENTER: The Jacob’s Gift team had several members serve at Big Ivy Community Center on Thursday. They helped organize supplies and prep food distribution. They also helped re-locate a tent on the property.
It’s important to note that the Big Ivy Community Center existed before the hurricane already serving the community in these ways. BICC is a hub in Barnardsville and will continue to be one of our partners as we continue to help families rebuild in the Barnardsville community!
MARCIA KUMMERLE: The Jacob’s Gift team had the chance to meet Marcia Kummerle and visit her property in Barnardsville. Marcia, who (yes is actually April’s mom!) has a goat farm that was destroyed in Helene, as well as part of her home, has had several teams helping her over the last eight months. She is now ready to begin rebuilding her fences and getting new goats. Marcia is a beautiful soul with an inspiring story. Our team went to begin the work and it became apparent quickly that what Marcia desired most that day was conversation and connection, so she told stories, shared her art with the team and talked about her rebuilding plan for the farm. It’s been such a privilege to hear stories of the people who’ve lived through so much. We’ve seen that sharing their stories is healing, and almost a form of therapy. When you sit with someone through their pain and experience, even when you don’t have the answer to their problems, you show them value and this is important work.
We will plan to have future teams help Marcia rebuild her fences and garden.
GOD STORIES:
Toward the end of the week the team wanted to address some of the landscape needs at April’s home. What was once a vibrant yard with plants, gardens and even a greenhouse is now river sand and stone that the big ivy creek washed into the yard in the hurricane.
After speaking with the owner of Brock Mountain building company who happens to be April’s neighbor, Debbie pioneered an effort to get new dirt dumped and graded in April’s front yard! And the company not only came out that same day to drop it, but they donated the dirt and their services. What a blessing! This was a sweet reminder that God cares about all the details of our lives, not just our shelter, but our livelihood and the things we love. Pre-hurricane, April and her family had spent many seasons cultivating their garden and yard into an oasis of sorts, and all of it was taken in the hurricane. Fresh dirt is the first step in revitalizing her yard!
