Where Hope Lives

On March 3, 2019, a tornado swept through Lee County in Southeast Alabama, killing 23 people, destroying homes and towns.  On September 30, 2019, three hundred volunteers from all over the country came together to build eleven new homes in the Beauregard Community.  One of those homes was sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama and individual parishes. 

For Steven, Kayla and their son Jordan, this was a new beginning.  During the tornado, Steven sought shelter in an inside closet with his arms around his sons, while Kayla was at work.  He awoke on his knees 80 yards from the trailer site with his children gone; only one had survived.  He said his faith had seen them through their tragedy.

It was our privilege to be working on their home.  From St. Stephen’s we gathered several of our local parishes to enlist volunteers to work during the week.  These hearty souls came from St. Albans, St. Mary’s on the Highland, St. Thomas, Advent, St. Francis of Assisi, and of course St. Stephen’s.  Little did we know that when we signed up it would be one of the hottest weeks of the year!  Somehow, “The Cast your burden on the Lord, and he shall sustain you” was dearly tested.

At the beginning of the week, we started with a frame, and by the end of the week, there was a roof, siding, inside walls painted, cabinets and floors.  Steven and his family hoped to move in the following week.  Hope surrounded this family and blessed us.  In the little community of Beauregard, hope was in action.

Please when you see our St. Stephen’s volunteers, tell them “Job well done”.

Volunteers Included: Rob Gellings (coordinator), Liz and Craig Dollar, Nancy Brown, Liz Bishop, Christian Johnston, John Burruss, Bill Wright and CJ