Our Story 12-26-2009 to 1-2-2010
Daniel and Melissa Thornburg



We arrived at Carpenters House 2 on the afternoon of Dec. 26,2009. We were greeted with the friendly and familiar faces of Ray and Debbie Slick, which was a great comfort. As we were shown around the uniquely decorated building we wondered what we had gotten ourselves into. Fortunately it did not take long that we were glad to call Carpenters House 2 our home for a week.

The next day was Sunday and we got up early and went to church. We enjoyed the service at Central Missionary Baptist Church. After church Ray took us on a driving tour of the area. On the tour we saw some restored beauty and some devastation from the Storm.

Over the next few days we worked at Charles and Judy's house and some of our group worked at Carpenters House 2 in the store, and prepairing and serving food.

Some of the challenges that we faced working on houses was the limited supplies. This challenge taught us to be "Flexible" and "More Flexible". This taught us that we could "flex" without breaking. God provided just enough supplies to do what was needed.

On Wednesday we went to the "wall" and helped serve food to the homeless, this was a rewarding and heartbreaking experience. I pray that we brought some hope to the people that we served.

On Friday a few from our group worked on a house that was close to the area that had the most damaged. It was heart breaking to see the neighborhood that was mostly old slabs and foundations, knowing that each one of those represent a family that was thrown into chaos and have been uprooted for several years and may or may not be able to return to the area that they came from. I don't feel like we made a lot of progress in helping people return to thier homes, because there is so much more work that needs to be done. I pray that we brought some hope to the people.

It was a pleasure to work on Charles and Judy's house and to get it close to where they could move into it. Saturday morning just before we left, we had the joy of being at their house when Judy got to see the work that had been done over the past few weeks. It was a joyfull and tearfull time. We all praised God for what He had given them and how He had rewarded us.

We have been blessed to have the opportunity to serve this ministry. We are thankful that Charles and Judy are doing Gods work in this area. We encourage you to make an opportunity to visit this mission and help it grow, and you will grow too.

Daniel and Melissa Thornburg
from Rural Friends Meeting
Winchester, Indiana
12-26-2009 to 1-2-2010

What Carpenters House Means To Me ...Kate Davidson

Working down in New Orleans with Charles and Judy has changed me.

I am at peace when I am working at Carpenters House, mingling among the people, helping, sharing, praying and caring. It has shown me humility, and with that comes empathy.

I see how Charles and Judy give freely of the love, time and energy that God has blessed them with, and that love spreads out to those who are there to help and be helped.

When I come back to Northern Virginia were I live, I try and remember to spread Christ's love, that love I see so clearly while working with Charles and Judy. It is a beautiful thing, to see Gods grace in action through his people, and to his people through this Ministry.

1/12/09... I just received 3 wonderful Trip Summaries from Park Chapel Christian Church in Greenfield, IN. They are from Faith, Pam & Peggy, members of the group that were in the Lower Ninth December 27, 2008 to January 3, 2009. I was so blessed when I read each one of them. Their letters brought back many memories of my time there in June, 2008. You can read each of their letters below.

Faith's Testimony
Pam's Testimony
Peggy's Testimony

The mission team consisted of:
Scott Getzin, Brian McBride, Ryan Powell, Jan Turner, Paul Rogers, Sabrina Simpson, Jessi Couch, Pam Hochstedler, Tom Ferguson, Faith Ferguson, David Combs, Susanna Combs and Dennis Hunt.

More Testimonies that were originally placed on our Blog...

1/7/2009 - Letter from Abundance Ministries

12/4/2008 - Letter from Joliene Wade, Sunnyvale, CA & Comments by Joao Morroco

11/11/2008 - Notes & Comments on Thanksgiving Week, 2008 - Comments from Janice Michael & Khyre Dean

10/26/2008 - Letter from The Dillon Gang...Rachel, Betsy, Tonya, & Ms. Alice

8/28/2008 - Letter from Josh Dellheim - Salem, Massachusetts

 If you have been to Carpenters House or helped with Charles & Judy Dillon's ministry, we would love to hear from you. If you want to share with us please send your testimony and photo, ifyou want, to the Webmaster @