Project Sister’s Keeper

It had been five months since Jim died. Barbara had spent hours pushing through the mounds of paperwork and dealing with death certificates and documents. The task seemed overwhelming as she slogged through the quicksand of her grief. There was so much to do. She couldn’t possibly do it all herself. The windows needed cleaning, but she wouldn’t dare get up on a ladder anymore. And the house -- her precious log-sided chalet cabin – the one Jim had built 23 years earlier when he had retired, was in serious need of oil (stain) and paint. It all lay heavy on Barb’s already grief-stricken and overburdened heart.

And so it was that the Holy Spirit began the rumblings in the hearts of a few and “Project Sister’s Keeper” was hatched. Pastor Wayne Morton of Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church in Pinetop, Arizona, brought the idea before church council to see whether there would be anyone interested in helping Barbara out by oiling her home before winter set in. Council immediately warmed to the idea and “Project Sister’s Keeper” quickly went into full throttle.

A three-man survey team went out to the house to determine what needed to be done and what materials would be required. Head Elder and Congregational Communicator John Bremer approached Thrivent Financial for Lutherans for support through the “Care In Communities” program, and work dates were set. An initial crew of four men took a whole day to power wash the house and do prep work. One week later a crowd of church members converged on the scene with brushes in hand. A week after that a second swarm of workers returned to the site. All told, over 37 different members and friends of this congregation of 80 were involved in painting, oiling, window washing, and food preparation for the hungry workers. Volunteer time spent on the project totaled over 342 hours.

“Will you be doing the garage, too?” It was the neighbors verbalizing the question that had been on more than one of the workers’ minds. The freshly oiled chalet looked so pretty it made Jim’s giant 1600 square foot, two-story garage and workshop look faded and weather-beaten in comparison. And so the Holy Spirit began “Project Sister’s Keeper II.” Two more days, and 15 more bodies, and a total of 140 more work hours were invested in Phase II.

Today Barbara is still overwhelmed – but this time in a positive way – by the generosity of her caring church family. “When I drive into the driveway, I just sit in my car and stare at my beautiful house. I’m just so thankful.” Her hugs and tears continue to speak her thankfulness.“

The members of Shepherd of the Mountains Lutheran Church in Pinetop, Arizona are thankful, too. First, that our dear Barbara has one less thing to worry about, and second, for the generosity of Thrivent whose grant of $800 paid for more than half the cost of the rental of a bucket lift and a 30 foot extension ladder, and the purchase of 60 feet of soffit, two dozen paint brushes, one dozen paint buckets, a half dozen rolls of masking tape, 20 gallons of oil (stain) and eight gallons of paint. And most of all, for the opportunity for this “mission of mercy and love” in which we could serve others as our Lord Jesus Christ lovingly served us and gave His life for us. What joy there is for those who serve Him!