More than 100 members, friends and supporters of Bedford Presbyterian Church gathered over a chicken barbecue Sunday, June 3, to learn more about the church’s recent mission trip to West Virginia. The nature of the April vacation trip was decidedly different from other mission trips the church had taken. The church previously spent five years in Louisiana providing disaster recovery for the hurricane-stricken area, and last year brought several Bedford-area youth to Maine for rebuilding projects. This year, a group of 30 volunteers experienced the disaster of systemic poverty in a depressed coal-mining community.

The Bedford church group was assigned to help Gracie and her family in Mount Hope, W.Va. Twenty years ago, Gracie graduated from high school as valedictorian and was headed to West Virginia University on a full scholarship. When her father became ill, she stayed at home to help her mother care for him and three adult siblings who required 24-hour care due to developmental disabilities. Later, after her father passed away and with her mother showing signs of dementia, Gracie accepted care for her family as her mission in life and remained in Mount Hope.

Until April, Gracie lived her entire life caring for her family with no heat source, no hot running water, and no bathtub or shower. Gracie relied on a gas stove to heat water and provide additional warmth in her 600-square-foot house, which had no insulation. Gracie’s only contact with the outside world was a weekly visit to the Laundromat.

In 2011, with a leaky roof and no resources to make the repair, Gracie felt increasingly isolated and helpless and was on the verge of committing suicide to bring attention to her family’s needs. When the pilot light on her stove suddenly went out after 20 years, a worker from the local gas company recognized her plight and contacted the Mount Hope Presbyterian Church to intervene. She was connected to the West Virginia Ministry of Advocacy & Workcamps Inc., which provided volunteers and resources to make roof repairs and install a new porch. Volunteers also gave Gracie a new laptop and pay for her Internet connection so she can remain in touch via email and Facebook.

This year, because of the volunteers from Bedford Presbyterian Church, Gracie now has a new hot water heater; bathroom with bathtub, shower and sink; gas stove; kitchen sink; kitchen table shed; metal roof; portable heating units; wooden front steps; fresh coats of paint; plumbing and wiring; rebuilt stone wall; landscaping; and a new hummingbird feeder.

“The need here was so great we had a difficult time stopping,” said Larry Cowen, of Bedford, one of the church’s mission team leaders. “In spite of snow and driving rain, we would forego breaks and found ourselves working overtime until we had to leave for the airport. Our goal was completion. It was unclear how much additional help could be provided Gracie after we left. There are so many other families in need.”

The church plans to return to West Virginia next year to continue its mission work, and also plans to return to Maine this summer with a youth group. For more information or to make a contribution, visit www.bedfordpresbyterian.org or email missions@bedford
presbyterian.org.