Not alone

When you are a widow, the weight of caring for a home changes overnight. Tasks that used to be shared suddenly fall entirely on one person, and the constant mental and physical load can quickly become exhausting—especially when it comes to larger outdoor projects that require heavy lifting and building skills.

That was the reality for a local widow who reached out to us about the deck on the back of her house. Several of the boards had completely rotted, making it unsafe for her to even step outside. Managing a structural repair like that on your own is incredibly daunting, and it is exactly why Christians in Action exists: to carry the loads that are simply too heavy to lift alone.

A small team headed out first to handle the heavy construction, tearing out the rotted wood and replacing the boards to make the deck structurally sound. We then let the new wood dry out completely over the following weeks so it would properly take a seal.

Once the wood was ready, we brought a larger team of volunteers to finish the job. Together, they stained the entire deck to protect it from the elements and assembled new patio furniture to completely refresh the space.

What started as a stressful safety hazard is now a peaceful, beautiful place where she can sit and relax without worry. It was a privilege to step in, take that physical burden off her shoulders, and remind her that she doesn't have to navigate these big challenges by herself.