Backpackmission

It is the most beautiful time of the year in the Appalachian Mountains of Kentucky. The apple tree in back of Lydia’s House is laden down with its bounty. This weekend I was standing there under the tree picking little red apples with black speckles, thinking of how good they will taste in pies. Occasionally, I stopped to look at the yellows, oranges, reds and gold dotting the mountain side. The sky was a beautiful blue with billowy white clouds. As a soft breeze blew, I listened to the sound of the apple crack each time I bit into its tart sweetness. The juice ran down my chin and my heart was filled with the glory and wonders of the Lord and I was once again in awe of the perfection of His creation.

Saturday night the temperature dipped into the 30s. Winter’s cold is just around the corner. We worked most of the afternoon Thursday filling holes in the foundation and cracks under the doors in preparation for the cold winds that blow in the mountains. My job was to use cans of spray foam to fill in cracks in the foundation. Since I had never done this before, I was not aware that as the foam dries it expands. The foundation now looks like a giant cake with butter cream icing exploded under the house!!! It always helps when a little humor is added to the hard work.

God had blessed us with an almost new propane central heat and air unit for the downstairs. We are praying and believing for the metal duct work and someone to hook it up. We know the Lord has gifted many people with the skills and knowledge of how to do this; we just need to be in touch with the ones He is sending to Lydia’s House.

The house is inching closer and closer to completion. At this point the kitchen is mostly complete and functioning. The downstairs bath and master bedroom are complete except for a little trim work. The living room is complete. The foyer has its new hardwood floors in place and some of the trim complete. Sixteen new six feet long treads and risers for the stairs are in the works and almost finished. The drywall for the dining room has been delivered and is sitting in the foyer waiting patiently to be installed.

The sanctuary is complete except for the installation of paneling and trim. Upstairs needs trim work everywhere. Most of the wood trim has already been donated. The bathroom upstairs needs new flooring. We already have a vanity and commode. We are still praying for the central heat and air unit for the upstairs.

The Lord has already blessed us with so many of the provisions we needed and we are just waiting for those special people to hear the call of the Lord and come running to get this house finished and ready for the Lord’s work. Those of you who have seen Lydia’s House know what a wonderful, peaceful haven this will be to the women and babies the Lord sends there.

Please keep the work on this house in your prayers and if you know an individual or a group who would like to help, please send them our way.