Progress

Things are coming along in the house. One of our supporting churches requested information for possibly helping us with a project. The following is the email that I sent them regarding our basement:

We are so amazed at God's provision, protection, and positioning throughout this moving process. As I look back over the past few weeks there is no doubt that God has amazingly taken care of us. To look ahead and say that we have everything figured out for this church plant would be not only a lie but also would be foolish. Even the simplist detail of moving and purchasing a house rarely went according to the plans that we had formulated. However, we have seen that God's way is and always will be the best.

One aspect of ministry that we feel burdened to do here in Cleveland is to minister to people who are coming to Cleveland to receive treatment at the Cleveland Clinic. Whether for their initial appointments to help them navigate the hospital or to house family members if the treatment time is extended. We have, in the short time that we have lived in the city, already had an opportunity to help a family from Pennsylvania that came to the Cleveland Clinic for a second opinion. The man's sister is a friend of a friend. He had a procedure done in Pennsylvania that caused complications with his feet. The doctors in PA said that they didn't have any more options other than amputation. His daughter called us and asked for help. We put them up in our home (all six Dockerys slept in one bedroom so that the father, son, and daughter could each have a private space). We gave them a nice breakfast and Ken went to the hospital with them to help them navigate traffic, construction, parking garages, and the maze of buildings in which he had appointments. They received good news and returned to PA tired but encouraged.

One project that we feel would make our home more comfortable for people who come to Cleveland for treatment at the Cleveland Clinic would be to make an apartment-like space in the basement that would be more private. The basement is currently partially finished. The walls have wainscoting and 1/3 of the floor in the main part is tiled. The old carpet has been removed. There was a leak in the upstairs bathroom that ruined a 10' area of the ceiling (the leak has been repaired). There is a new toilet and a small vanity in a closet-like space.

We would like to:

carpet a 25' x 14' area - about $900 installed
put in a shower enclosure - about $900 installed
frame in the bathroom - about $300
put in a kitchenette - small refrigerator $200, small counter and sink $400
furnish the area with a bed, dresser, couch, table, chairs, etc. - with second-hand furniture we could probably make it cozy for about $1,300
fix the ceiling - we have the materials on hand from some of the other projects
paint the ceiling and upper part of the walls - we have the materials on hand

The total for these listed items is $4,000

A friend from high school and Renee's roommate from college are married and live in Columbus, Ohio. They hope to come in October with some friends from their church and help with some small projects.

I am finding that to locate matching tile to replace the five broken pieces elusive. I contacted a guy that had them on Craigslist and have played tag with meeting up with him to get it. Also, the window treatments are taking quite a bit of time to choose and install. I have to keep reminding myself that it doesn't all have to be done today.

Ken and Bill are in Michigan for some missions' conferences. It will be a good break for both of them to not have to focus on settling into new homes.

Today was Sunday. The kids and I visited a church about 40 minutes away. Church is such a huge part of our lives that to go and not know anyone but not be ministering was a little bit of a downer. We are looking forward to loving and serving the body of believers that God gives us here in Cleveland. Our neighbor girl came over and played with the kids tonight so that helped us not feel so lonely. Our prayer is that we will do what God wants us to do, when He wants us to do it.