Members of Blount County church help rebuild member’s home

Members of Straight Mountain Baptist Church had planned to go on a missions trip to Mississippi to help rebuild homes.

But an unexpected April tornado changed their plans when the storm destroyed the home of fellow member, Ernestine Dickie.

“I started into my bedroom, heard a noise, a tremendous noise,“ Mrs. Dickie said.  “I stepped into the bedroom, trying to get into the closet, but by the time I got inot the closet it was over and the home was mostly destroyed.“

Mrs. Dickie was safe, but her home was gone.  That’s when her church family stepped in to help and said their mission was right here at home.

“The tornado kind of decided it for us,“ Pastor Charlie Alldredge said.  “When it came through, it was one of our own, and we knew that our mission was here.“

“We had a widow who was in need here, and it was automatic.  That’s just how to do God’s work,“ said fellow member Brother Bob Paul.

Many of the ladies of the church also took part by making sure all of the workers had plenty to eat.  Mrs. Eudelle Paul helped organize a kitchen staff.  “I had plenty of help,“ Mrs. Paul said.  “The ladies of the church and neighbors baked cakes, and we just had a lot of help.“

When construction is complete, Mrs. Dickie’s new home will have three bedrooms, two bathrooms ... and a brand new storm shelter.  However, the group didn’t take credit for all their hard work.

Bro. Mark Craft took charge of the construction project.  “I want to thank God for giving me the skill and the knowledge to build a house, that He gave me the skill to lead this group of men,“ Bro. Craft said.

But the most important construction was building ties that hold this community close together.

Mrs. Dickie wanted to make sure to thank everyone who played a part in helping build her new home.  In addition to members of her own church, several other church groups around Blount County also helped out.  She says God has truly blessed her, and she expects to be able to move into her new home in about three months.