Our most recent mission trip, number 47, was to Dawson Springs, KY. We coordinate with a group called Fuller Center Disaster ReBuilders ("FCDR") who provide the work projects and set up a camp for our housing, meals, work direction, tools and building materials. We provide the volunteer “labor.”
In December of 2021 a tornado hit Dawson Springs, killing 19 people. FCDR and St. Peter’s volunteers began rebuilding homes shortly thereafter. Then in June of 2024, yet another tornado hit, just 3-4 miles away. The family we worked for this time lost their mobile home, and the owner, Joe, lost his job as well. FCDR hired Joe to be their construction manager in that area. He, his wife and two sons were living in a 25-foot camper. FCDR leadership decided that they needed permanent housing and started a fund drive.
On April 28, 2025, FCDR sponsored what is known as a “Blitz Build,” meaning that they get as many volunteers as possible together at one time. We had 30-35 on this project. All the walls were framed up and in place at the end of day one. Electricians and plumbers were doing their “rough-in” work late afternoon and evening day one. St. Peter’s members, Bill Miller and Mike Bultemeier were involved in week one, the blitz week, and Mike stayed for a second week.
Joe and his family moved in to their new home just 22 “working days” after we started. Praise God!
