Group visiting Savannah to help those in need

The westside Savannah home of Estelle Jenkins, 92, had a roof in a bad state of disrepair.

Last week, a team of 20 volunteers known as the World Changers began repairing her roof, thanks to the city's Housing Department.

Families fill out an application, and the association chooses the homes. It's the project and construction coordinators that put the participants to work on homes.

Jenkins's great-grandson, Jermell Wright, said his great-grandmother was ecstatic when she heard their house was selected.

"It was really good because the roof was in bad condition," he said. "It's got a couple of holes where the wood rotted. We really appreciate it because it really needed to be done."

Wright added the family did not have the time or funds to do the work themselves.

The goal of this project, said participant Dani Smith, is to serve as Christians are called to serve.

"I'm doing it so that I can display the love of Christ to the neighbors and homeowners," she said. "[There was] no training. I learned everything from our crew chief and from the patient leaders and encouragers.

"I felt called to go. I went last year to Huntsville. I felt like I really should go for it for Jesus."

Students must pay their own way, said crew chief David Hall. He commended the kids working who put in their time and money to help make a difference.

Participant Timothy Lamb said his father funded his initial involvement.

"It was definitely worth it," he said. "This is my third year. The first year, I was lucky - my dad paid for it, and I didn't have to pay for it. He wanted me to try it and see what the experience was like. After that, I was hooked. It was almost like a drug, coming to World Changers. It was one of the most amazing things ever. It sets a fire in your heart for God."

Hall, a Columbus, Ohio-area native, said the labor performed is a means for something bigger.

"Early in the week, if we give the students instruction on how to place shingles and how to frame the boards, instead of doing it ourselves, they end up taking ownership of the project and, by the end of the week, they have done all of the work.

"Our kids kind of know that the work is a way that we can earn the right to build a relationship with the homeowners and neighbors so that we can share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. That's our primary work."

This is the World Changers' 20th year in Savannah. They're working on 34 different sites throughout the city.

Zachary Walls, crew encourager, is a junior in college. He said he is spending his time with World Changers because Christ has helped him.

"For me, all that Christ has done in my life, being able to see the smile on Mrs. Jenkins's face and to share the love of Christ with her, her neighbors, this whole community - we're trying to do a positive thing - but the whole point that we're here is to show that when it comes to being a Christian, it's not a do and do-not-do list, it's all about the relationship that we have with the Savior.

"The power from the Holy Spirit is inside of us, empowering us and bringing us the joy that we want to share with as many people as possible."