Help Debbie Rebuild After Heartbreaking Losses

I NEED YOUR HELP! I have never made an ask like this before- and it is not for me personally!

I will never forget a conversation Rae Ann and I had with a widow following a Sunday service when I was pastoring a church in New Jersey. She told us she always stopped to chat because it was the only day of the week when she received a hug! There were quite a few widows in the church, and I realized they collectively were an overlooked group in the congregation. A verse of Scripture became convicting and life changing: Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world [James1:27].

This Go Fund Me is a big “ask” for a widow who Betsy and I dearly love. Her name is Debbie Chiappetta. She lives in a dilapidated mobile home in Martinsburg, West Virginia. I met this shy red-headed girl as a student at LBC in 1997. The chronicle of our friendship for 28+ years is filled with many highs and lows. Here is a list of some defining moments which explain the context of this request:

 When she revealed how her father had been murdered in 1995, I became “Dr. Dad” to her.

 As part of Rae Ann’s discipleship group, Debbie referred to her as “Mrs. Mom.”

 She was unofficially adopted into our home and family along with our three sons.

 In April 2000, Rae Ann was diagnosed as having Stage IV colon cancer.

 “Mrs. Mom” graduated to heaven in May 2001- 2 weeks before Debbie graduated college!

 “Dr. Dad” suddenly became a widower and single parent, learning to live with deep grief.

 After returning to WV, she fell in love with an LBC student, Mark Chiappetta.

 I walked her down to aisle on her wedding day in 2005.

 Debbie’s brother died in 2004 after suffering from cystic fibrosis.

 Mark and Debbie’s son, David, was born in 2007 with severe neurological complications demanding 24-hour medical care provided by Debbie and Mark.

 Mark died suddenly on January 3, 2010, at the age of 38! Debbie became a widow…

 David was relieved of his suffering in February of 2013 to unite with his dad in heaven.

 Debbie began doing foster care near the end of 2013, loving on children from broken homes and eventually adopted two boys, who are now pre-teens.

Her father, Rae Ann, a brother, husband, and a son, will make full a sweet reunion in heaven, but, for now, her life seems like a constant steep uphill climb. She and her two boys still live in the very same mobile home where she and Mark began their marriage- but, quite honestly, it is becoming a safety hazard. I am leading an effort to replace her existing residence with an upgraded model which would make her life much easier, more stable, safe, and less demanding. She already owns the property.

Eighty-two percent (82%) of the total project expense ($123,000) has already been pledged, and the new mobile home is ordered! The site preparation begins during the first week in July with delivery expected four weeks later. However, some unexpected pending expenses to comply with building codes to prepare the property for delivery and set up before occupancy. That means I need to raise another $23,000.

I am assisting as much as possible, but some tasks are out of my reach. A new septic system [tank and drainage field], rental of a storage container, temporary housing during the transition, purchase of a new washer and dryer, demolition and removal of the existing mobile home, and repair of the lawn are the higher ticket items. To my dismay, her local church has been negligent for many years in caring for this widow and her sons.

The good news is that WE ARE CHURCH! Debbie cannot celebrate her 20th wedding anniversary with her husband, but WE can look after this widow in her distress! She has given selflessly to her ailing mother and her children- even home-schooling her boys! I have witnessed her godly character and together, we can bless and encourage her in a life-changing way! In fact, since I am anticipating an increase in her property taxes, any additional funds exceeding our goal will be placed in a money market account to cover that increased expense.

If anyone who reads this desires more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to me via email, [email redacted] or [email redacted]. Thanks to everyone who can invest in a practical way to live out our faith.