Partner Corner – November 2018

The Boone County Community Trust and the Boone Electric Community Trust have both generously supported in2Action from its beginning in 2012. The past year was no exception as these two foundations partnered together to provide the funding for a much-needed workshop/storage building. In2Action however committed in their proposal to pour the foundation of the building themselves to help keep costs as low as possible.
When Dan approached me in the spring and asked if I knew anyone who could help with the installation of a concrete pad to support a new prefabricated steel storage building he wanted to erect in the rear of 1410 Sylvan I said, sure. What I didn’t realize was that I was about to witness and experience God’s sovereignty of the faithful and His omnipresence. I also saw a deep appreciation and admiration in the community for the value of in2Action’s service in assisting men re-entering society. Oh, by the way, I also learned a bit about pouring concrete because when I said, “sure,” I really had no idea what was involved.
My initial overture was to a friend with Emery Sapp & Son who referred me to Sapp’s local manager, Justin Gay. Justin was immediately responsive and in his initial site visit indicated his willingness to help with the project. After some time Justin realized his staff and resources were woefully overcommitted and would not be able to provide any help. However, Justin and Sapp & Sons did contribute a generous financial amount toward the completion of the project.
What next? I asked a masonry contractor, Harold, working in my neighborhood if he could help. Harold quickly indicated we probably wouldn’t like his work product but knew someone who does know what to do and that he might help. Bill Parsons contacted me right-a-way at Harold’s request. Bill was, at the risk of understatement, wonderful. Bill is a semi-retired concrete expert. In our initial discussion, Bill shared his heart for men wanting to improve themselves. I am now grateful for not only his expertise but more for his friendship.
So, we were now able to do this ourselves with Bill’s guidance. I reached out immediately to not only a dear friend of mine but one of in2Action’s as well, Ray Batt. You see, Ray not only has a heart for the ministry and other men, but he also owned a skid loader. Ray never hesitated, he said, “let’s do it”.
We mapped out a plan and began immediately. Ray did the initial excavation in preparation of the site. When we needed backfill clay I approached the developer of my neighborhood, John Jordan with Lifestyle Homes, who said we could have all we wanted from one of his home sites. Ok, how will we get it to Sylvan Lane? Ray called Andrew Baier with The Crossing Church to borrow the church’s dump trailer. Now how do we load the material? John Jordan let us use his skid loader and Harold, yea the one who started all this, took his time and loaded multiple loads of soil for us. Bill then spec-ed out the materials we would need of lumber, steel, rock, and concrete. We then called on current friends of in2Action and some new friends of in2Action. First was Brad Eiffert, Boone County Lumber, a regular supporter of the ministry who provided the lumber and steel and an interesting story of how he spent part of his childhood in this very house and how his father actually built it. Bill called another friend, Rob Wainscott with Central Concrete who provided a large portion of the concrete gratis with the balance at a deep discount.
Throughout the completion of the project, several houseguests with in2Action helped as well. Some of these men had more experience than others but all worked hard and were grateful for the opportunity to “give back” to in2Action. Thanks to all of you!
So back to my original point of God’s sovereignty. It was Ray who first realized His presence. Each of our old and new friends were immediately willing to step up and provided the help they could at just the right time and the right amount. And in each case we had an opportunity to share the message of in2Action. So this was a lesson in God’s presence which was evidenced by the many new friends all for a 20’ x 30’ steel storage building.
Thanks to all!!!!!!!!!!!!