Exciting day @ The Exchange

Thanks to all the volunteers who gave up their Saturday to come over to The Exchange and help transform this 100 year old building into a place of re-purpose. Here are the latest photos…

Let the electrical work begin.

Lights out. Working at rewiring an old building.

Young ladies spending their Saturday to help at the Exchange.

All ages getting involved. Thanks for helping us sort.

Excited about getting their picture taken..."Not"

Lots of sorting to be done.

Getting ready to paint. Mixed all the paints together to see what color God has chosen for the walls.

Great choice God!

Installing lights.

Let the light shine. Great job guys

Lots more to do.

Photos of The Exchange coming together.

To catch everyone up. By November of last year it became obvious to us in LIVE-IT that God was moving the ministry to open a thrift store to help fund the projects we do in the community. It has been an amazing journey to watch him bring people, material, and donations to this 100 year old warehouse we are calling The Exchange. We’re believing this will be so much more than a Thrift Store. Here are some photos of the initial progress. Stay tuned…

Fixing the security lighting.

Starting the "Community Projects Board"

Blackboard paint being applied on top of magnetic primer.

 

Ready to post projects.

Lots of broken and painted glass.

Fixing broken windows.

The window repair team. "Notice the clean windows".

Making sure were level.

Cleaning the rafters. Amazing the dirt hidden up there.

Lots of displays to clean.

Looks like fun right? We will be meeting at “The Exchange” the new LIVE-IT Thrift Store this Saturday, January 21st at 8:30 am. Come and join us…we have lots to do.

Bless you all.

 

More than a thrift store

The Exchange Video : What if a 100 year old building became a place of re-purpose for more than just thrift items? What if the people we serve find new purpose to serve their neighbors?

LIVE-IT vision for Sevier County

Please click on the link Your Invited for your invitation to re-purpose: Your Invited

Lighting up a blind man’s life.

This past Saturday three students from Johnson University helped a local resident who is blind hang Christmas lights on his home.

Three students for Johnson University love their neighbor by hanging Christmas lights.

The project started when Rick (The home owner) called his church and asked if they could help him hang Christmas lights on his home. Although Rick is blind, he wanted to help spread his Christmas cheer in his neighbornood. Rick’s church partners with LIVE-IT and activated the “Love Your Neighbor” Network and Rick is now sporting his Cheer to all who pass by his home.

More photos:

Neighbor Care Groups

With over 140 home projects completed. We are committed to creating community for those we serve. Click on link to view 1 minute video. Neighbor Care Groups Video

New Video Magazine

LIVE-IT’s first video magazine. Video Magazine 1

Mary’s House Volunteers

Thanks again to all those who made Mary’s House a reality. Here’s lots of pictures from start to finish.

Site discussion prior to footers.

Mary with granddaughter, poured footers visable behind Mary.

As construction begins, there are still many reminders of what happened on April 27th.

Foundation begins. Many local masons show up to "Love Their Neighbor".

Mayor of Pisgah helped build Mary's foundation.

Floor system built on the 26th to prepare for framers.

The Rock Interns cover Mary's home in "The Word". Talk about building on a firm foundation.

Framing crew from Sevier County, TN worked throughout the day.

As the sun goes down...

The framers continued to work.

Sevier County Framing Crew with Mary.

This mare that was pregnant and injured during the tornados (Scar on her neck) gave birth to this colt during the project.

Working on the chimmney.

Thumbs up to RSC rentals who furnished equipment for Mary's house.

Preparing to work on the outside of the house.

And the inside.

More inside work, or praying.

Love to see the young volunteers get involved.

Photo op.

Checking plans with the GC.

Preparing to side the house.

Owners of Servpro in Sevier County, TN help build Mary's house.

God Blessed this project with "GREAT" volunteers.

Sizing up the job.

Perspective.

Senior Pastor of the Rock FWC Scottsboro, Greg DeVries (In Tractor) "Living It"

Taking a quick break, must be hot in that black shirt.

Getting ready to install the siding.

Working on the metal flashing.

Siding being cut.

front of house.

Over 165 volunteers helped with Mary's house.

Quick break while waiting on materials.

Johnson Heating and Air. Great Job!!

Running the duct work under the house.

Back inside the house work progresses.

Sanding windows.

Some volunteers asked for the day off so they could help with Mary's house.

Thanks to Mark at HIS Landscaping for working so hard to get the outside of Mary's house so beautiful.

and our green thumb volunteers.

Lots of landscaping work.

HIS Landscapes even brought in sod to create a beautiful yard for Mary.

Volunteers came up with great ideas. Like planting a herb garden.

The sod goes down...

...and so does Mark (just for a moment)

finishing up at the back door.

Awesome job by Giffords Home Improvement. Thanks for doing a great job on the guttering.

Finishing the gutters.

Finishing up the vinyl.

Thanks for using your gifts Senator McGill.

Two "very" public servants: Chris Woods (L-Mayor of Pisgah) Shadrach McGill (R-Alabama State Senator)

Meanwhile back inside...

Problems are being solved.

Friday, September 2, 2011: Mary to arrive at 6:00 p.m.

“CRUNCH TIME”


 
The colt is up earily.

So are some of our volunteers.

Cleaning up the area.

Making sure everything is painted

Making sure everything is ready.


With Mary coming in just an hour or so, everyone is making sure her house is finished. Thanks First Baptist Scottsboro for Mary’s furniture.

Mary arrives to the applause of over 100 of the volunteers who helped build her house.

Pure and lasting religion in the sight of God our Father means that we must care for orphans and widows in their troubles, and refuse to let the world corrupt us.  James 1:27


God did provide…Mary’s House.

Mary lost her home on April 27th to a tornado in a series of unprecedented storms. When we spoke with Mary a month and a half later, she spoke of trusting in the Lord. Many may not understand why a widow who just lost her home and everything in it, and had no insurance, would stand firm in her hope that God would provide for her. On September 2, 2011 Mary walked through the front door of her new house. Over 160 volunteers gave thousands of hours in 7 days to build Mary a new home. Using their hands...God did provide. Enjoy the photos.

Mary's House after the tornado.

Mary's house after the volunteers.

Mary's living room full of grandkids

Mary's new kitchen

Fireplace (click on photo to see picture above the mantel)

Mary's fish pond

Thanks to those who responded to the call. Next: Photos of the construction.

 

Mary’s Home Dedicated This Evening

If you support the mission of LIVE-IT, or… have worked on Mary’s House, or…have given to help us rebuild this Widow’s home, You’re Invited!  Between 5:30 and 6:00 pm on Friday, September 2nd Mary will be coming home to see her Brand New Home for the FIRST TIME. We are inviting everyone to this “Move That Bus” moment, as Mary will not only see and walk through her new home, but also meet the volunteers that have been building it for the past 7 days. Call 865-604-4088 for directions to get to the home dedication that will start ay 5:30 pm. After the short dedication there will be BBQ and a concert on the grounds. Thanks again to the all of you who made Mary’s prayer a miracle. Here are some photos from the build.