It would be easy to report on the work we did at the house in Clyde. Putting up wood strips, gluing on styrofoam insulation, and then putting on the vinyl siding to the outside of a cement block house we were assigned could be the total story. We worked on the project all week. But there is a greater story to be told.

community. But slowly and faithfully this small church on the hill in Canton began to discern God’s will. Reverend Brock and church members began to meet with other churches and volunteer organizations to develop a plan. God’s hand began to move through the congregation and they developed a new understanding of ministry following disasters. It is sometimes hard for people to accept the help of others when we live in such an independent society. Canton Presbyterian recognized that “ministry is serving and meeting the needs of others” and set out to do just that. They began to live that out in a new way by accepting mission team volunteers to house at their church.

Canton Presbyterian Church, through the help of the interfaith community, had a Lutheran shower trailer placed at their church. Then they opened their doors, literally, to work teams. And the work teams are coming.

Our work team was welcomed to the church by the pastor, in the Ingle’s grocery store parking lot by a church member, and numerous times at the church by other members. They even gave us a key to everything! The Canton Presbyterian Church got it! They heard God’s calling to a greater mission. God is using their ministry of care for the community as part of the healing process for the great suffering felt by so many in Canton and Clyde.