KevinChilds.com

Bob has lost his home.

If you’re a ROCK Church regular, Bob needs no introduction. Everybody knows Bob. He has, in his own words, “a slight mental disability.” But his limitations don’t keep him from being one of the most faithful volunteers at our church.  And his disability never seems to limit his faith or his capacity to love. Those who know him best will tell you that he is one of the most positive and inspiring people they’ve ever known.

Bob has lived through some very tough experiences. He was the victim of a con artist who took advantage of him. For years, he has only traveled on his bike or moped.  He lived in a single-wide mobile home, by himself, no computer, and often with no hot water. His solution: appreciate what you have and don’t complain. Bob does short-term manual labor jobs to pay for his needs. His disability qualifies him for a small gov’t check every month.

Last Saturday night I got a voicemail from Bob: “Pastor Kevin, this is Bob … ‘Moped Bob.’ A tree fell on my house and they won’t let me stay in it now. I don’t think I have anywhere to stay. Thanks. It was a big tree. God bless. Goodbye.” Within the hour we had Bob some temporary housing, and a great family is taking care of his immediate needs.

Moped Bob (he likes that nickname) has become Homeless Bob, but he has a temporary place to stay. Some people have started a Facebook page (and fund-raising effort) called  Build Bob’s House for a Buck. It isn’t JUST about money. There may be a way to tap into resources like labor, supplies, etc. in an effort to put a permanent roof over Bob’s head. If you would like to make a donation, you can do that in a couple of ways. You can go HERE (The ROCK’s website) and give. Or you can mail your check to The ROCK, 912 Lakewood Ave. Conway SC 29526. Just make sure you put “House for Bob” on the check subject line. Clint Hardwick is heading up the effort. You can get more details from him at 843-457-7122.

Hours after his home was destroyed, Bob was at church. He never missed a beat carrying out his responsibilities as a volunteer. He worshiped just as whole-heartedly as ever. And when our secretary told him that some people had given a little money to help him, he said – with a choked voice and tears forming in his eyes, “So much love … so much love.”

I don’t do this kind of thing. I don’t personally-publicly-shamelessly solicit help for individuals. It sets a bad precedent, and can cause misunderstanding, and it isn’t my “place.” I get that. I know all that.

But this is for Bob. So I don’t care.

Trust me, you’re going to want to BE one of the people who helped Bob. If you have an extra $1, it will help. An extra $100, sure. Access to free building supplies? Got a spare mobile home to give away? AWESOME!