Church of Our Savior Episcopal Church on Johns Island Blesses a Neighbor and Old Friend

The whole church joyfully joined in over four days to help a neighbor in need and build upon and celebrate a longtime friendship. This little home has stood across the road from Church of Our Saviour long before the church existed. As Mrs. Heyward has grown older, the home has fallen in to disrepair and unsafe condition. Mrs. Heyward has been a part of the Rural Mission's Prayer Warriors for decades. When she feels up to it, she can walk down to the end of Camp Care Road to the Mission. She is loved by many because she has touched and blessed so many.

A special love and bond has been shared all their lives with a close neighbor, Betty, who lives next door at Andell Bluff Plantation. They grew up together when Johns Island was a very different place. Both are now in their late 80's. It was Betty who insisted that something be done when the house became so unsafe. Many helped to make this happen including the Kiawah-Seabrook Exchange Club, Hebron-Zion Presbyterian Church and the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina. The Rural Mission assisted the Church of Our Saviour who took the lead, raised the volunteers and funds and made this a church-wide project for young and old.

The first day was spent tearing out and removing furniture. The next three days were a beehive of activity in repair and rehab. Everyone was joyous at the transformation. Some painted, hung curtains, cleaned the yard and cooked and served food to the large crowd while others installed new flooring, made needed repairs and fixed the bathroom.

According to project leader at the Church, "She says she's never had a home so nice in all her life and is absolutely overwhelmed by this act of kindness and is so thankful!"