Volunteers work on Connie Bonner’s basement, making much-needed improvements.Since Connie Bonner’s husband passed away six years ago, she has struggled to keep up with the home repairs and work he usually provided.
After dealing with mounting electric bills without a discernible cause, frustration with the electric company and her repair needs led her to a place to which she had donated in the past, The Samaritan Center.
Hearing about her struggles, the center put her in contact with a group made up of Seventh-day Adventist pastors and young adults, all seeking to help those in need. When they heard of Bonner’s hardships, the group sprang into action, said Pastor Don Keele, a participant in the community aid group.
During a discussion with Pastor Aubrey Toup, the group learned of one more dream Bonner had for her home: to have a prayer room such as the one featured in the movie “War Room,” a film by Alex and Stephen Kendrick about the power of prayer.
Armed with this information, group members promptly laid out a plan to make all Bonner’s wishes a reality.
The team enclosed a new space in the basement, laying sheetrock and working to put in all the final touches. Once they’re done, The Samaritan Center will supply items to furnish the room.
But the volunteer group isn’t stopping there. In addition to enclosing, finishing and furnishing a space for Bonner’s prayer room, they decided to finish out a bedroom in her basement and are now in the process of repairing her basement den.
Although beyond grateful for everything the group is doing for her, Bonner said she is most excited about her prayer room.
“My war room is the most important room that they could have given me,” she said.
Toup said for her group, it isn’t just about completing projects, it’s about building relationships.
“I want to show God’s love in a practical way,” she said. “That’s it, just plain and simple, and this is a way that we can help and show God’s love in a practical way, by helping her with her home that needs a lot of improvement.”
Email Ashley Arnold at aarnold@timesfreepress.com.