Visiting Widows in Their Affliction

Story by Kathy Symborski
Photos courtesy of ACTS

The day Ed Schreader, president of ACTS (Action Crisis Teams), met 95-year-old Virginia Hardy, she was sitting in her rocking chair in the dining room as rain poured down all around her. She had called her church that day, tearfully asking for help after the tarp that contractors placed a week and a half earlier failed. The tarping job was of such poor quality that Ed stated, “It was something our grandkids could do. It didn’t keep the water out, and she’s now got mold growing on the walls and her belongings.”

ACTS began in 2006 in response to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita and is a sister organization to Safe Harbor International that was started out of Calvary Chapel Rancho Santa Margarita, CA. ACTS had been working in Kentucky helping those affected by the flooding when Hurricane Ian landed.

John Labelle (left), ACTS Western Regional Coordinator and Chaplain, interviews Virginia Hardy (right) for a live social media post after the Calvary Chapel ministry began to rebuild her Englewood, FL, house, damaged by Hurricane Ian. She acknowledged that a big burden has now been lifted from her, and God has proven to be faithful.

“I came down three days later and met with [Calvary Chapel] Pastor Aaron [Smith] of The Rock in Punta Gorda. He had been getting calls all day for places north and east [of Punta Gorda], so he asked if we would be willing to find a base camp here in Englewood,” Ed explained.

Through a series of what Ed describes as Spirit-led encounters, he and a volunteer from The Rock ended up at Englewood United Methodist Church (UMC). “The pastor and assistant pastor just got out of a staff meeting when we walked in. They greeted us and we explained we were looking for a place to set up and funnel teams through.” Pausing, he continued, “His [the pastor’s] eyes got big, and he said, ‘You aren’t going to believe this, but we just got finished praying for this exact thing!’”

A week after Thanksgiving, volunteers arrived from Calvary Chapel Maricopa, AZ, to remove damaged shingles from Virginia’s house in preparation for a new roof. “It’s the most important thing at this time, because you can’t do anything inside until you seal up the roof,” explained John.

Englewood UMC sustained some damages from the storm to their sanctuary and had been holding services in their Family Life Center. Ed was offered an unused space in the back of the center with a kitchenette, shower, and a fellowship area. Bob and Cate Matthews, founders of After the Storm 4 Christ, joined Ed a few days after his arrival. Together they created separate men's and women’s sleeping areas for their group of volunteers, making it an ideal base camp to work from.

“She [Virginia] had water pouring into her living room and two bedrooms; half her roof was taken off and part of her living room ceiling,” ACTS President Ed Schreader stated. Mud and debris were mucked from Virginia’s home and most of the drywall, insulation, and flooring removed to dry out the house.

Explaining how they connected with Virginia, Ed said, “We let churches know when they host us, we focus on the body first and spread out from there. She is from that church [Englewood UMC] and the day she called crying, ‘Can I get someone to help?”, it was raining. They sent us over. She had water pouring into her living room and two bedrooms; half her roof was taken off and part of her living room ceiling.”

Ready for new drywall and flooring, ACTS has committed to fully restoring Virginia’s home, trusting the Lord for the provision. Ed noted, “She has home owners insurance, but they omitted hail, wind, and flood from her policy, so technically she has no insurance.”

Working together as one, Ed and Bob’s teams began re-tarping and mucking out her home, removing drywall, insulation, and mold-covered belongings. With her kitchen intact and a full bath in her garage, she had a place to cook and shower, but nowhere to sleep. She spent nights at her son’s home and returned to hers’ during the day.

After a couple weeks, Ed had to return home; ACTS Western Regional Coordinator John Labelle and his wife came to manage base camp to continue the work. “Virginia commented that she wished she could live here again somehow,” John said. “My wife and a couple other volunteers went out and bought linens and things to fix up her sunroom.” Ed added, “Her sunroom only had a broken window that we had previously covered, so they turned her sunroom into a little apartment with a bed, window unit air conditioner, and [television] antenna they purchased.” John laughed, “We call it her bachelorette pad. She’s living in that now, the little bachelorette pad.”

Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. James 1:27

Chaplain John ministered to Virginia as they made repairs to her home after Hurricane Ian destroyed much of the 95-year-old’s Florida residence, making it unlivable.

At base camp, the team begins their day with singing and Bible devotions. Since learning that Virginia gets up early, they now start their day at her house, bringing breakfast and including her in worship. John, also the chaplain for the team, had been sharing scriptural encouragement with her. “I spent a lot of time talking with Virginia. She can’t believe how all this came together and all these people coming. I went over James 1:27, explaining why we do this—visiting orphans and widows in the affliction. That’s what God calls real religion, pure and undefiled. I said, ‘You were in affliction,’ and she said, ‘Oh, yes!’ She really got that one.”

Virginia’s home has been the focus for the last few weeks, but they continue helping others in the area, prioritizing them by the damage and to their capabilities. “If it’s wet inside, that is a priority. When we have teams, we can do more, but when it’s just the two of us, we can only do a little,” explained Ed. He agreed with the encouragement the Englewood UMC pastor offered, “You would love to do for everyone, but even though you can’t, you can for the ones God puts in your path.”

Virginia’s sunroom was converted into a living space with a bed, air conditioning, and television, enabling her to remain in her home full-time. “We call it her bachelorette pad,” John laughed.

Work has slowed as churches hold off sending teams until later in January. After the holidays, Ed expects more volunteers as churches respond to the needs. “We are committed to see this through, even if we have to do it ourselves, but I’m praying that’s not the case,” he stated.

Ed shared in closing, “I can say over the 18 years I’ve been doing this, although we plow, plant and water seeds, we seldom get to harvest. But with this last deployment, we have seen four people come to know the Lord. It’s been a blessing.”

Ed (right) and Pastor Roger Thompson of Calvary Chapel Maricopa, AZ, enjoy a moment of fellowship during the rooftop repairs. Work has paused over the Christmas holiday, but Ed and John will return January 4, believing God will provide volunteers and funding to continue helping the elderly in Englewood.

ACTS has raised several thousand dollars; Englewood UMC has helped with the cost of materials, and a generous donation of flooring have all sustained their efforts thus far.

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Please pray for the team as they continue to rebuild Virginia’s home. To learn more about Action Crisis Teams visit their website at ACTS1129

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Sponsor Message: Calvary Bible Institute is a one-year program designed to equip those who are called to serve the Lord in full-time ministry. Visit CBI's website to learn more about their programs at calvarybi.com

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