When Hope is Washed Away

Gloria Antoine is on dialysis and her husband Gerald needs help getting around. So when Hurricane Ike flooded their home, they knew they’d have a very hard time rebuilding. Their first problem, was all the mold. “We stayed in the mold and mildew, I know for a couple of weeks,” says Gloria. “We had the fans going and windows and doors open, but you could see the mold was taking over.” Then Operation Blessing came to help. Operation Blessing’s Jody Herrington told Gerald and Gloria they couldn’t come back to their house for a week or two. “I promised I wouldn’t go and peek and I haven’t.” says Gloria. “I said if they just put my walls up, I’m satisfied.” But for this project Operation Blessing partnered with the Rockford Illinois Master’s Commission. Home Depot trained more than a hundred volunteers who didn’t just put up dry wall, but completely renovating Gerald and Gloria’s home. Just six days after they last saw their house, Gerald and Gloria were ready to come home and get to work rebuilding. So when they first saw the house and all the volunteers, they were overwhelmed. “Gollee that is a surprise!” said Gloria as she began crying. a crying. “Don’t cry, hon,” said Gerald. “Be happy, baby.” “It don’t even look like the same house,” she said. “Look, we got shutters on the windows!” “We never expected anyone was coming to help us, or anything like this,” says Gloria. “I never dreamed of anything like this, but here you are. “Now he’s restored everything back to us,” says Gloria. “He’s given us our life back. He’s given us a new home. We have new furniture. And he gave it back to me, and I’m grateful. I’m thankful. And my husband he changed his life, and gave his life to the Lord during this tragedy, and I’m thankful for that.” “I always had Chrisianity in mind,” says Gerald. “Gut I know I wasn’t living it like I was supposed to. I want to live with God, and I know it’s a better life, living with God.” “You all really did surprise us,” says Gloria. “And we just want to thank all of you, every one of you for what you’ve done for us. We can never, never tell you how grateful we are. But we love y’all and appreciate everything you’ve done for us.” CBN Partners provide practical help for families here in America and around the world. This often opens hearts to receive the message of Christ. If you are not a partner, please join with us today. For a small investment of $20 a month, you can bring help and a message of hope to people throughout the world. Become a member today!