Adults with disabilities are blessing families through Samaritan’s Purse rebuild projects.
Although Shane believed in God, he knew that his life wasn’t devoted to following the Savior. “I had felt loss for a while,” he said. “I hadn’t read my Bible in so long.”
God used a Samaritan’s Purse home rebuild project in Watauga County, North Carolina, to help open Shane’s heart to return to the Lord. As he learned the mechanics of rebuilding and repairing from our staff, such as mudding and sanding drywall, he also engaged in Gospel-centered conversations with his team and our staff members.
By the end of the week, Shane had decided to recommit his life to Jesus Christ. “I feel peace now. I have praise for God,” he said.
Shane participated in the rebuild project with a group of adults from Indiana who have intellectual and developmental disabilities. The trip to North Carolina was organized by Jess Berryhill, the student and special needs minister at a church in Terre Haute.
Jess (left), a student and special needs minister, was grateful to find in Samaritan’s Purse Gospel-centered service opportunities for her disabled friends like Shane (right).
Ten years ago, Jess started a Bible study for adults with disabilities that has about 100 participants every week, including Shane. She is also executive director of Friendship House, which provides affordable housing and independent living for disabled adults.
Jess had been praying and seeking a way for the disabled friends in her life to participate in a Christ-exalting service opportunity. Sadly, she discovered that such projects can be scarce for disabled adults, and she wondered if she would ever find the right volunteer fit.
We praise God that Jess and her friends connected with Samaritan’s Purse and are not only blessing hurting families in the wake of natural disasters, but having lots of fun while doing it.
“Seeing them be exactly who God made them to be, and also allowing them to try new things, is beautiful,” Jess said.
Bringing Joy
Jess and her group first volunteered with our rebuild efforts in Mayfield, Kentucky, where we are bringing families home after a catastrophic tornado ripped through the town and destroyed more than 1,300 houses and business. They enjoyed learning about rebuilding and repairing homes, and developed relationships with homeowners and our staff.
“They just light up a room and bring so much joy,” Jess said.
Shane (left) and friends thank God for the opportunity to learn new skills like mudding and sanding drywall while volunteering with Samaritan’s Purse U.S. Rebuilds.
The crew returned to Mayfield several times, even participating in a home dedication ceremony. “To work on that house all week and then see it all come together was really awesome for our group,” Jess said.
In addition to their most recent trip to Watauga County, the group has also served in Burnsville, North Carolina, where Samaritan’s Purse continues rebuilding in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. With every trip, Jess said that her friends are “gaining confidence in their new skills.”
More important than the technical skills they are gaining is the encouragement they are receiving from staff and other volunteers. Jess shared that a significant factor in Shane rededicating his life to Jesus Christ was the unconditional love he experienced from the Samaritan’s Purse team.
“Some in the group don’t have family,” she said. “We want to help them find pockets of belonging.”
“It’s a reminder that God hasn’t forgotten them. He has a brilliant plan for each one of them.”
Jess said that while she feels called by the Lord to reach out to adults with disabilities, the ministry can be isolating and lonely. She is grateful to Samaritan’s Purse for welcoming her friends and showing them God’s love.
“It’s a reminder that God hasn’t forgotten them. He has a brilliant plan for each one of them.”
If you are interested in serving with U.S. Rebuild, please see spvolunteer.org for opportunities available now.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).
