Happy Birthday, Mrs. Debra!

This past week, I had the pleasure of revisiting friends I met on a church mission trip to Madison County last year. Mrs. Debra Gentry had an electrical fire in 2022 that left her without power and water. Last June, our team worked to rebuild an exterior wall for a new electrical panel to be mounted. Sadly, for the Gentrys, they experienced another devastating fire in March of 2023 when an errant spark from a wood stove burned their century-old family homeplace to the ground - and all of their earthly posessions - including the car - along with it. Their community rallied around them and has loved them up - but there is a long ways to go to get them back on their feet. Debra, Jessica, and Heather were all hospitalized with serious injuries - thankfully, not life threatening. They're home now, but still a long ways from feeling like they're standing on firm ground. They secured a mobile home, and we spent this past week freshening it up with new paint and flooring. They've just found out it needs a new roof, in addition to new HVAC, and wiring and plumbing will hopefully soon be hooked up. They're in temporary housing, but hope to be able to move in within the next month.

Long story short, last summer, we went to the Gentry home to build a wall - and quickly realized we'd built much, much more. We built sweet friendships, and there is no value that can be placed on that.

Heather has a new job, and Jessica has several applications out. Mrs. Debra is disabled from Polio and Post Polio syndrome, and is likely facing a major surgery later this year to amputate her foot. Despite the hardships they've encouraged, these STRONG women keep getting up - and their faith in the good Lord is inspiring. They've seen HARD times, and I'm praying hard that things will start looking up.

I just learned that today is Mrs. Debra, the Gentry matriarch's birthday. I can't think of a better birthday gift that to let her know that she's loved, admired, and cared for by this big world than some bucks to use just as she sees fit. She'd never admit she could use them, but I promise she'll smile her beautiful smile with her twinkly eyes and thank you from the bottom of her big, grateful heart. And I will, too.