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Resurrecting Hope Through Human Investment
TM
Inc.
Home is where the heart is
By Sharon Swanepoel
The Loganville Tribune
Published May 08, 2009
Sunday was one of those days I was very grateful for auto focus on my camera. As I took pictures at the Resurrecting Hope dedication of the Sargent’s home, it was difficult to focus on anything through the tears. It was one of those occasions you feel privileged and humbled to be a part of — even if only as a witness.
It was difficult to see who was most excited about the renovated home — the recipient family or the volunteers who spent countless hours making it possible. This is what it is supposed to be all about.
Remember those old movies about a home destroyed by fire and the whole neighborhood rallying to rebuild it? Or the farmer whose crops were completely wiped out and the entire community arrived with their farm equipment, plowed the fields and re-planted the crops?
Nothing feeds the soul more than being able to do for someone other than yourself. There is no better feeling in the world than knowing you were able to make someone else’s life better. Sadly, a welfare society only serves to deprive people of that opportunity.
Had the Sargent’s problems been fixed by a check from an anonymous person tucked away at some government office — they would have never known there are still really good people in the world. They also wouldn’t have found The Church at the Grove, less than three years old but already making a difference in the community. Also, Pastor Russ Butcher wouldn’t have had the satisfaction of knowing he was doing what he believed God charged him with when he took on the work of the church. And the members of Resurrecting Hope would have never experienced the euphoria they did when they realized just how much of a difference they were able to make in the lives of the Sargent family.
Just that one project forged lifetime relationships that hopefully will go on to make further changes in all the lives involved. Elaine Sargent has hopes when her daughter is released from prison later this year, she too will experience the compassion of the people from Resurrecting Hope and The Church at the Grove. She is hoping just by attending the church, her daughter will be able to turn her life around. Maybe it’ll happen and maybe it won’t, but at least there is now that chance.
Resurrecting Hope is a great organization and if you go to the Web site www.resurrectinghope.com, you can see the progression of the work done on this home. You can also become a part of it, even if just by making a donation.
In closing, I would like to say something I was too scared to say last week just in case I jinxed it. My husband was finally sworn in as a United States citizen. This has been 16 years in the making and one that makes us both very proud. Old Glory is now flying high outside our home and we plan to have a special July Fourth celebration this year.
Seeing things like Resurrecting Hope’s dedication this weekend re-affirms we absolutely made the right choice in making America our home.
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Copyright © 2009 The Walton Tribune
By Sharon Swanepoel
The Loganville Tribune
Published May 08, 2009
Sunday was one of those days I was very grateful for auto focus on my camera. As I took pictures at the Resurrecting Hope dedication of the Sargent’s home, it was difficult to focus on anything through the tears. It was one of those occasions you feel privileged and humbled to be a part of — even if only as a witness.
It was difficult to see who was most excited about the renovated home — the recipient family or the volunteers who spent countless hours making it possible. This is what it is supposed to be all about.
Remember those old movies about a home destroyed by fire and the whole neighborhood rallying to rebuild it? Or the farmer whose crops were completely wiped out and the entire community arrived with their farm equipment, plowed the fields and re-planted the crops?
Nothing feeds the soul more than being able to do for someone other than yourself. There is no better feeling in the world than knowing you were able to make someone else’s life better. Sadly, a welfare society only serves to deprive people of that opportunity.
Had the Sargent’s problems been fixed by a check from an anonymous person tucked away at some government office — they would have never known there are still really good people in the world. They also wouldn’t have found The Church at the Grove, less than three years old but already making a difference in the community. Also, Pastor Russ Butcher wouldn’t have had the satisfaction of knowing he was doing what he believed God charged him with when he took on the work of the church. And the members of Resurrecting Hope would have never experienced the euphoria they did when they realized just how much of a difference they were able to make in the lives of the Sargent family.
Just that one project forged lifetime relationships that hopefully will go on to make further changes in all the lives involved. Elaine Sargent has hopes when her daughter is released from prison later this year, she too will experience the compassion of the people from Resurrecting Hope and The Church at the Grove. She is hoping just by attending the church, her daughter will be able to turn her life around. Maybe it’ll happen and maybe it won’t, but at least there is now that chance.
Resurrecting Hope is a great organization and if you go to the Web site www.resurrectinghope.com, you can see the progression of the work done on this home. You can also become a part of it, even if just by making a donation.
In closing, I would like to say something I was too scared to say last week just in case I jinxed it. My husband was finally sworn in as a United States citizen. This has been 16 years in the making and one that makes us both very proud. Old Glory is now flying high outside our home and we plan to have a special July Fourth celebration this year.
Seeing things like Resurrecting Hope’s dedication this weekend re-affirms we absolutely made the right choice in making America our home.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Copyright © 2009 The Walton Tribune