Klein United Methodist Church

Spring, Texas

 

FUMC Home

Rita Restoration

 

Klein United Methodist Church from Spring, Texas, brought a seasoned crew of volunteers to Newton the week of March 12 and completed several projects while they were here. The following persons came to Newton to help rebuild and restore homes damaged by Rita:

Barbara Bobo, John Bruyninckx, Bill & Betty Epps, Don Fox, Al & Marge Gatto, Peggy Goodson, Don & Katie Hitchcock, Scott & Janet Holmes, Paul Johnson, Kathy Kershaw, Allen & Johanna Langston, Bill Scott, Dave & Judi Williams, and Mark Young

These projects are shown below.
On January 27, 2006, Bill Epps and Don Hitchcock of Klein reviewed a project for the week of March 12th along with Paul Hughes of First UMC, Newton, and Lee Holbert of CORR. Bill is shown on the ladder inspecting the roof damage, Bill looking at the foundation, and Paul and Bill making measurements for materials estimation. This home belongs to Fay Kenebrew.
 

 

 

 

 

 

Another project that they decided to scope out was the home of Johnnie Adams. Bill Epps and Don Hitchcock from Klein UMC review another project with Lee Holbert of CORR and Paul Hughes of FUMC, Newton. This particular house needed new roofing, leveling, and inside work to repair water damage.
 

 

Part of the damage from the falling tree can be seen in this picture
 

 

 

The third project that was planned on was the Patricia and James Gulley home. Quite a bit of work was already done on this home by the Gulleys and the Mennonites, but Klein planned on finishing it up.
 

The folks from Klein returned a week ahead of time (the week of March 6th) and got an early start. Then when the whole crew came the week of March 13, they were able to complete these projects ahead of time. The following pictures are from their main work week. The first project shown is the Gulley home.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr. James Gulley on his new porch built by the people from Klein!!
The biggest project that Klein tackled and completed was the Fay Adams house. This house needed so much done to it. The fact that they got it done speaks well for their pre-project planning and experience
 

The Senior Pastor Klein, Mark Young, was on hand to do his share of work. Mark was the District Superintendent of the Beaumont District before going to Klein as Senior Pastor last year. Leading by example!
 

 

Johnnie Adams watches the work being done. She is very grateful for the help
 

The remains of the tree that caused all the damage!
 

 

 

 

Mrs. Adams admires the finishing touches to her almost brand new home! On the last day of this project, Mrs. Adams fixed a sumptuous feast of beans and rice and cornbread for the whole crew, with sweet potato pie for dessert!
 

 

That brings us to the third project that was planned; the Fay Kenebrew house.
 

 

 

 

 

A nice new roof!
 

 

Klein was so efficient and worked so hard, that I had to find something else for them to work on. I took them to the Mark and Lydia Bean Youth Center project. This project, in the old Kerr High School, is the dream of one of the most visionary preachers in our community. Bro. L. D. Matthews of New Beginnings Ministry. Brother Matthews is a Church of God in Christ Preacher who has a deep and abiding love for the youth of our community, and he is leading an effort to provide a place for them for recreation, fellowship, and care. This next series of pictures is Klein working with Brother Matthews to help make that dream come true. The first few shots are of the interior of the Youth Center before Klein started working on it. The roof was completed before this interior work was begun. Link
 

 

 

 

 

WOW! This needs a lot of work!
 

Brother Matthews hard at work, but a very happy pastor and minister to the community. He is not happy for himself but the kids he loves and care about so very much. A true man of God!
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I just had to put this here. Kerr High school was the Black High School back in the days of separate but "equal". This was the locker room for the student athletes. I hope and pray that we can continue this work and get the youth center finished! Klein actually stayed over on Saturday to work on the Youth Center. Then a quick lunch at First United Methodist Church, and then on the road back home.
 

 

 

True joy comes from helping others!