“There was an old lady who lived in a shoe...”

That may have been funny in the nursery rhyme, but it would be tragic if there was such a lady.

Unfortunately, many elderly and poor in Lexington county may as well live in a shoe because their homes are not safe, dry or warm. So where does the old lady go to have her shoe - I mean house - made livable?

Some have turned to the ARISE (Assist, Repair, Invest, Serve, Equip) ministry of Lexington Baptist Church.

About 8 years ago LBC was shifting from working with Habit for Humanity to working on the rapidly growing number of needs among our own flock and others in the community.

Few working poor people can afford to pay someone to fix the broken back steps, repair a leaking roof, stop the kitchen faucet from spraying water everywhere, or build a wheelchair ramp for mom.

ARISE does these tasks as well as cut overgrow shrubbery, cut grass and work on heating and air problems.

Recently, they helped a woman patch a hole in her kitchen floor and got her a new AC.

A team member noticed her bed frame was broken, so they got her a new one. She was so grateful that she baked a cake for the team.

The ARISE team members are showing God’s love to others. The “thank you” cakes are just a perk.

Do you have a ministry you want to talk about? Call me at the Chronicle - 359-7633 or email me at chuck1946@hotmail.com