What began as a simple bathroom renovation for a disabled grandmother raising her grandchildren turned into a week of unexpected blessings—repairing a leaking roof, restoring safety to her home, and reminding her and her family they were not alone.
Twenty-six volunteers from Trinity, Clinton Township; Redeemer, Jackson; and Zion Lutheran Church in Ridgeville Corners, Ohio, spent a week serving in Caldwell, Ohio, through Helping Appalachian Rural People (HARP). The team represented a wide range of ages and experience levels. Some participants had been making the trip for more than 20 years, many had served several times, and a few were experiencing their first mission trip. Funding for the trip and its projects came through volunteer registrations and Thrivent grants.
Caldwell
Nestled along the West Fork of Duck Creek, a tributary of the Ohio River, Caldwell is the county seat of Noble County. With a population of just under 1,700, the community presents a striking contrast. The town’s sidewalks are immaculate, and small, family-owned businesses line the main street. Yet many residents struggle. Noble County is one of Ohio’s two poorest counties. When coal mining jobs disappeared, the oil industry moved into the area, but few employment opportunities became available for local residents. Today, many families live at or below the poverty level, with a median household income of approximately $36,000. Some families are unable to provide basic necessities for their children, many senior citizens struggle to obtain day-to-day essentials or make accessibility improvements
to their homes, and many veteran homeowners live in poverty.
The Work
Throughout four days of service, the volunteers tackled an impressive list of projects. They packed 15 “House in a Box” kits to help individuals and families establish new homes, installed shelving, organized merchandise for Heavenly Treasures Second-Hand Store, sorted Christmas donations, tied blankets, assembled blessing bags for adults and children, and completed major construction projects. The team demolished a condemned trailer, disconnected utilities and prepared the demo site for a replacement home, removed a bathtub, installed two walk-in showers, replaced plumbing, installed a storm door for improved ventilation, and built an accessibility ramp at the Senior Center after clearing the area, preparing the site, and pouring concrete.
Beyond construction and organization projects, volunteers spent time with local seniors, sharing conversations during lunch, playing cards, enjoying bingo, and competing in rounds of “Name That Tune.”
By the end of the week, every assigned project had been completed.
The work required a wide variety of talents. Team members brought skills in electrical work, plumbing, carpentry, demolition, and general construction. Others contributed by cleaning, organizing, encouraging, and simply showing up with willing hearts to
serve and share God’s love.
Each day followed a rhythm. After breakfast at the hotel, volunteers gathered at HARP for devotions before receiving project assignments. Teams served from approximately 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., then returned for showers and rest. A 6 p.m. dinner included prayer and an opportunity for everyone to share the highs and lows of their day. The evening continued with fellowship and games. On the final evening, the group gathered around a bonfire at the county reservoir park, enjoyed s’mores, and shared stories. A departing prayer included a Caldwell family, especially the mother, of a 19-year-old girl who died tragically. The team departed for home Friday morning after one final devotion together.
Impact
Among those served was a disabled grandmother raising her grandchildren. What began as a bathroom renovation—replacing a bathtub with a walk-in shower—expanded into a roof repair, power washing, sealing, and painting. Another project provided a way for older parents caring for their special-needs son to receive a new
home after volunteers demoed and removed the unlivable trailer and prepared the site for a replacement. Countless others, including senior citizens and individuals transitioning from difficult circumstances, will benefit from the newly remodeled Heavenly Treasures Store, household supplies, blessing bags, furniture, bedding, and kitchen items.
For many volunteers, the greatest impact came through personal relationships.
“What a blessing it is to complete a project and see the light in a client’s eyes!” said Gary. “And, when they ask you why you are there, to tell them it’s because Jesus loves them and that you love them too.” Shawn shares, “HARP gives the people we serve a ‘new beginning (hope)’ but it can also give the team members a ‘new beginning.’” Taylor, a college graduate who was first brought several years earlier by her grandfather, shares, “We come from different walks of life … together with the same goal, and that’s to spread the Word and love of God.”
Kelley reflected on the ways faith grows through service, especially as she had a fear of heights and was asked to do work on a roof. “God takes away your fears in
unexpected moments,” she said. Gwen remarks, “As our love for God grows, so does our desire to share love with His people. HARP gives us an opportunity to be God’s hands for the people of southeast Ohio.” Dawn shares, “Sometimes God pushes you in a certain direction and if you’re wise, you follow. I’m glad I followed.” Teen volunteer Adelaide said, “You don’t always realize how many people are less fortunate than you, but you can go down [to HARP] and help them. It’s an amazing, rewarding way to show the love of God.”
The team’s impact is rooted in the work of HARP, an organization dedicated to helping people achieve self-sufficiency and independence through spiritual, emotional, and material support.
HARP
HARP Executive Director/CEO Mike Leininger has been involved in human care ministry since childhood. At age seven, he joined efforts to deliver donations to flood victims. As he grew older, he participated in mission work around the world before becoming involved with the Caldwell community in 2002. One of his early HARP experiences involved helping an elderly woman who had endured a devastating series of losses: her barn burned down, a tornado damaged her home, and her husband died—all within three years. Though she never would have asked for help, volunteers stepped in to restore her home and offer hope.
Today, HARP continues to expand its ministry. One of its newest projects is transforming a small hotel into a senior cooperative living center. Plans include a coffee and donut shop where residents can work, build relationships, and serve others. HARP continues to meet the needs of the community through its volunteers: singles, grandparents, parents and their children mentoring, working side-by-side, returning year after year, much like the team that came together to serve in this story.
While the number of completed projects can be counted, the true impact of the week cannot. The conversations shared, relationships built, prayers offered, and acts of kindness shown will continue creating ripples throughout Caldwell long after the volunteers have returned home. Through willing hands and faithful hearts, God’s love was made visible, and His work will continue in the lives of everyone touched by the mission.
(To see more photos, click the arrows on the right or left of the image below.)
Photos courtesy of Trinity, Clinton Township and Redeemer, Jackson
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