Several miles into the hollow the Appalachia Service Project staff stopped us in front of the home of Clyde (name changed). We would be the first in a series of winter volunteer groups working to make his place warmer, safer and dryer. The situation is urgent since Clyde is living in an old minivan whose engine doesn't run. He uses a small electric heater to make it through the long and cold days and nights. There is no running water since the line to his house froze. The leaking roof had soaked the insulation and rotted a lot of the floor. Most of the windows were broken, the front door was so deteriorated you could easily put your hand through it. Because of floor rot the back quarter of the double -wide trailer had collapsed and Clyde had removed it . In that area thin wood panels nailed to the studs were the only barriers to the winter winds. As tough as 81 year old Clyde is, he can't manage to heat the place with the wood stove anymore and has resorted to the van. Clyde has worked hard his whole life--- 55 years as a miner with 25 years of it underground and the rest in strip mines. Now at 81 he is alone and with few resources. During the time we were there, in Jonesville, Va., the daytime temperatures were 25-35 degrees with wind and snow. 

We watched as Clyde stiffly made his way out of the van and across the muddy, rutted driveway to greet us. It wasn't long after introductions before he began one his many stories . Our Prince of Peace sponsored repair crew including Jim Watts, Patrick Lee, Bill and Rosemary Pate began working and Clyde helped us. He cleared rooms, moved logs, helped us cut wood all the while telling us his stories. By the end of 4 days of work a temporary plastic tarp had been firmly secured to the roof to keep out the rain and melting snow, 2 new doors had been installed 3 windows had been repaired and another had been totally rebuilt. Clyde was so inspired by the sun shining in his previously boarded up window in his kitchen that he shaved (and had the cuts on his chin to prove it). We felt sad telling him we would be going home after Monday's work, but could promise that ASP would send him another group to continue the repairs.

The Prince of Peace will be sending another group April 23-26 please consider joining us. No great skills are required. Contact Bill Pate .