Michigan LifeChange Community Church group travels for hours to repair a woman’s home in Sevier County, Tennessee

KODAK, Tenn. (WATE) – A Michigan church group is traveling hundreds of miles to help a Kodak woman with home repairs.

Barbara Apperson’s belongings are all packed in her RV because it was damaged by multiple water leaks.

“After my husband died, we had 21 water leaks and the last three were major leaks and a wet carpet was on the floor for about three months before I could pull it all out,” Apperson said.

Apperson has been looking locally for volunteers who would like to help her.

“I called all over the area,” Apperson said. “Every agency, every church, and no one in that area would help me.”

Since Apperson had no luck locally, LifeChange Community Church in Michigan traveled to Kodak to fix the problems.

“We pay for the materials and have our campers learn how to do the task for them so we can help a homeowner in need for free,” said Jeanette Carroll, who works with the church.

The group of 20 children carries out repairs inside and outside the house.

“We’re sealing their roof. We’re putting in the flooring in the house. We’re replacing their fixtures like the sink and everything else. We’re painting the outside of the house,” Carroll said.

Because the children learn a valuable lesson when it comes to helping others.

“You know, serving together is a privilege. I hope they learn some skills and just spend some time together,” Caroll said. “They learn something about the Lord and the homeowner and do something for someone else.”

Apperson is happy that she can now feel at home in her house again.

“I feel so blessed. It’s just indescribable to me that they would give up a week of their time for this. It’s just amazing,” Apperson said.

The group will work on the house throughout the week.