Mission Possible - Volunteers help elderly, disabled with home repair during week-long mission trip

One elderly lady had a dilapidated deck which made it unsafe to get in and out of her home. Another resident in her 60’s had a leaking roof from severe wind and hail damage, but could not afford to replace it.
Those are two of many reasons a dozen Glenrock students and adults jumped at the opportunity to serve on a mission trip to Sioux City, Iowa June 10-17.
Some of those in need live on fixed incomes, and others are physically challenged, but they all had one thing in common – the need for help.
Melody and Allen Dugan, of Glenrock, who will soon turn around for another mission trip in Puerto Rico, are no strangers to coming to the aid of others. They have helped for years and were the leaders of the team from Glenrock Southern Baptist Chapel who came to the aid of seven Iowans.
“There’s nothing we would rather do during the summer than to help others. It’s become our life and we will keep doing these trips,” Melody said. “It helps those unable to do or afford home repair, and at the same time it gives some important life lessons and skills to the students.”
Glenrock students Tanner LaPointe, Bailey Mueller, Emma Goodman, Max Sexson and adults Kevin Ewoldt, AJ LaPointe, Steven Ritter, Curtis Schifferns, Sage Farquharr, Adalee Russell and Lucas Russell were all part of Life Changer Missions.
It’s a program that focuses on equipping teenagers for Christian missions through home repair and personal witness, along with adults who help teach hands-on work and use of tools.
This year is the third time for Heartland Community Baptist Church of Iowa to host Life Changer Missions. The inspiration for the Life Changer Mission was a program known as World Changers which also made small home repairs for those in need. When that program ended, the Heartland Baptist Church took on the mission.
The Dugans have been doing such missions since 2002. The fellowship along the way has led to lifelong friendships with volunteers around the country, a gift they hope the students receive as well.
 
WIN-WIN SITUATION
One of many important repairs the Glenrock crew assisted with was rebuilding a deck for a resident in her late 80s. The woman’s deck was falling apart due to severe dry rot, so the support beams were replaced and a new deck installed with a ramp.
It’s projects like that which also benefit the students.
“Doing home repairs for the elderly and disabled also gives the kids an opportunity to learn how to handle tools which are skills that will help them in life,” Melody explained. 
“Some of them learn how to use different saws and tree trimmers, and others learned how to paint and even drive in screws. It was cute watching one of the 12-year-olds having a hard time getting a screw to go in, even with a screw gun. He learned to put pressure on the back of the gun and drive the screw in. Little things like that are big things for these kids.”
That was just one of many projects the Converse County contingency assisted with. Some of the other home repairs for residents included building a deck for a retired educator, several paint jobs and even replacing a roof.
 
EASING THE
BURDEN
“Helping people who do not have the ability to do it themselves is very rewarding,” Melody said. “It also eases the burden on them because they don’t have to worry about the huge costs of labor and supplies.”
Not only do the mission members do the work but they also cover most of the costs for the supplies. It’s all part of the fees that each member paid to be on the mission.
As for room and board, the more than 60 volunteers sleep at the local church. It’s also where they are fed and have evening devotionals.
It’s a different mission team every year so that more people have a chance to give back to the community through home repair.
And, the list of those in need of home repair help is endless. 
 
FUN &
FELLOWSHIP
The Glenrock group snuck in a little fun and fellowship near the end of the week after all of their projects were completed. They played games, participated in an escape room and went out for a formal dinner at a local restaurant.
“One of the highlights for the mission team was at the end of the day when Dairy Queen was calling their names,” Melody laughed.
“Dairy Queen gave everyone coupons they could use for free blizzards and I’m sure they all got used up because it was hot.”
It was a fun-filled ending to a week that brought joy to a handful of thankful homeowners.
 
NEXT MISSION:
JULY 6
The group made it back to Glenrock during Deer Creek Days, just in time to take in  the hometown summer tradition. 
However, Melody and Allen are just back for a break. 
They will be among a group of seven individuals that leave July 6 and return July 16 for another mission trip, including Steven Ritter and his bride, Christy, who just enjoyed their honeymoon.
It will be their second mission in a month.
“This will be our first time back to Puerto Rico since Hurricane Maria destroyed the island in 2018. They are still suffering and rebuilding from it,”Melody said.
“They have had other hurricanes since then but the people have never built back since that year. Because of that, this mission means a lot to us.”
Melody explained that residents who inherited homes and property handed down to them from generations did not receive FEMA help if they did not have property deeds. 
That affected many, as paperwork simply didn’t make it through the decades or was lost in the destruction.
“We don’t see it as work,” Melody said.
“It’s actually a privilege to go to San Juan and help those families who welcome our help with open arms.’