Building an ark is never easy but always worth it

Noah did everything just as God commanded him. (Noah 6:22) 

In my last blog, Surrender, I wrote about how David and I met during our Samaritan’s Purse deployment in Fort Myers, FL, following Hurricane Ian. We ultimately fell in love through our mutual desire for service to God and ultimately became engaged to be married. While David has been working to rebuild Herm and Nancy’s home since November 1st – a project detailed in my Turning Trials into Triumphs post – I assisted with the same throughout January. For twenty-five days, I worked my remote job during the day and sanded, painted, caulked, grouted tile, and helped with anything else needed in the evenings and on weekends. Twelve-to-fifteen-hour days were normal for us, and nothing about this project was simple.   

After installing new drywall and painting the home, David’s next project was to rebuild the guest bed and bathrooms – complete with custom-built shelves in the guest closet. He did all this so Herm, Nancy, and their dog Gigi could move back into their house while it was being rebuilt from the inside out. After staying with friends for a month and a half, the move back to their space on November 27th was a joyous occasion.   

We celebrated on December 10th when I drove down to visit and help for the weekend. I was privileged to cook and serve the first non-microwaved meal in the house while visiting. With pots, spices, and serving utensils I brought from home, I prepped a dinner of spaghetti with meat sauce on a makeshift wooden counter that David had crafted for the special occasion.   

Neighbors Helen and Mo – whose home David is now rebuilding – joined us and brought salad and garlic bread to add to the celebration. We dined using paper plates on a previously water-logged table and washed our dishes in the new laundry sink. A tea towel spread over the new dryer served as our drying area.

The love that permeated that active construction zone was palpable, and my heart soared as I thanked God for His provision and grace during our pre-meal blessing. David proposed to me the following day, and I thought my heart would burst from the joy of that glorious weekend.  

Our time together in January was different, somehow. David had lost his subcontracted help after the holidays, which solidified my stay in FL. Uneven walls made every door challenging to install – if doors could even be found. David and I joked to Herm and Nancy each evening that we were going on our nightly courting run as we drove to Home Depot and Lowes with a new supply list. The items we needed were often sold out or unavailable in any Fort Myers location. With thousands of homeowners trying to rebuild simultaneously, our store searches were often as grueling as securing a new iPhone on release day.   

Sleeping on an air mattress for a month, sharing a bathroom, and respecting the homeowner’s sleeping hours added to the ordeal. While we sometimes ate together, David and I tried not to disturb Herm and Nancy’s daily routines while living in a joint space. 

Nevertheless, unending together time can be an onerous burden to even those with extreme patience. By the second week of January, eagerness for completion made David and I the type of houseguests that are often best appreciated when they’re leaving.   

Consistent prayers for patience marked our days as weariness set in during our daily routine of long hours, hard labor, and nightly supply runs for materials. Repeated setbacks on supply acquisitions – such as discontinued floor transitions – became the norm. Perpetually empty store shelves compounded unexpected challenges like blown breakers, a kitchen sink/faucet combination sans faucet, and a microwave installation with a manufacture-based defect that prevented the appliance from working.   

“You’re doing this for God,” I consistently told David. “The devil hates that, so he’s doing everything he can to steal your joy.”   

When Herm would get frustrated with the progress, I also reminded him that we were doing this for God in a plea for patience. It quickly became evident that my primary purpose in this project was as much spiritual as it was physical. I regularly asked friends and family to pray for the endeavor. We needed our Creator’s strength in every possible capacity.   

And so, God provided grace.   

Despite the obstacles and opposing forces working against us, Herm and Nancy’s rebuild was completed by David on Friday, February 3rd. With only short breaks over the holidays and intervals to drive me home and back again, David completed the total custom rebuild of a home decimated by four feet of salt water in less than 90 days, primarily by himself – a herculean task, to say the least.   

Many Fort Myers homeowners are forced to sell their homes “as is,” due to inadequate insurance coverage, the lack of skilled contractors, and unavailable supplies. In contrast, Herm and Nancy were gifted a home with increased property value thanks to David’s hard work and dedication to his Creator.   

“You’re just like Noah,” I told him. “Noah built an ark in preparation for a flood. You rebuilt an ark after the floodwaters came through. Noah was surely mocked by everyone that knew him. He was building a ship to prepare for rain – something that had never been experienced on earth before. His neighbors likely laughed at him and did everything they could to discourage him. And yet, he pressed on to complete his God-given assignment.”   

“You, like Noah, had your disbelievers and many reasons to give up,” I reminded David. “And yet you never did.”   

“I never would have,” replied David. “I made a commitment and intended to keep it.”   

“And so, you did,” I agreed. “To God be the glory! In spite of everything, you’ve demonstrated God’s love in a way that few others ever could.”  

This statement was proven true when David presented the final bill for his work to Herm and Nancy – a bill substantially lower than what he could have charged for such an undertaking.   

With tears in his eyes, Herm hugged David on that last day, marveling at the incredulity of it all.  

“You didn’t even know us and yet you did all this for us,” Herm said.

“That’s right,” David replied. “But I still love you.”

No doubt, these precious homeowners will not soon forget such a demonstration of God’s love in action.  

Unselfish love is a rare and exceptional gift. I feel privileged to have been part of this journey as I witnessed its beauty unfold.

David’s and my submission to God in early October 2022 led us to help strangers in need during their darkest hours in FL. We came to Herm and Nancy’s home to demonstrate our Creator’s commitment, dedication, and unfathomable love in a tangible way. God’s strength and grace are now embedded in every wall, floor, doorframe, baseboard, and closet in that house. It covers their lives in a way that few people will ever encounter.   

As I told Nancy when I first met her, God can turn every trial into triumph. What an experience to have witnessed our Savior turn that statement into reality. I am so blessed to have been a part of it!  

Building an ark is never easy – but it’s always worth it. Noah built his ark at God’s request, and it rescued his family while allowing the world to restart with a clean slate.

Like Noah, David also built his ark at God’s direction, and it ultimately represents a new beginning for Herm and Nancy – as well as for David and me.

It is a privilege to serve God! We can never outgive our Savior. I can’t wait to see what He’ll do next through David’s and my hands in joint service to our Creator!