Church project helps woman become more independent

A view from the porch as the volunteers from McCook's Memorial United Methodist Church install an aluminum ramp at Lois Vigneur's home. (Alisa Parde/Courtesy photo)

McCOOK, Nebraska -- Lois Vigneur wanted to get out -- and back in again. On Saturday, Jan. 11, McCook's Memorial United Methodist Church helped her become able do just that.

A disabled widow in her 60s, Lois could manage going down the stairs in front of her McCook home, but she couldn't climb them. This situation made leaving her home to make trips to places such as her doctor's office difficult, to say the least.

So Lois made contact with Melanie Goodenberger, chair of the church's NOW (Nurture, Outreach and Witness) committee, and asked Goodenberger about helping her get a ramp.

Volunteer Cherri Fune helps transport Lois Vigneur down the newly-installed ramp at her McCook. (Alisa Parde/Courtesy photo)

During a committee meeting, Melanie told the other members about Lois' troubles.

MUMC Associate Pastor Alisa Parde was actively looking for a Re-think Church project, something that would fill a need in the community. Lois' situation fit the bill. The committee decided to begin looking for a ramp; within two months, they were able to purchase an aluminum one from a man named Joe Georgione.

A group of 27 volunteers from the MUMC unhooked the ramp at the first location, then transported it the distance to its new home -- Lois' -- and had it installed and ready to use within an hour. "We arrived at 1 p.m., were driving to the second location at 1:07, and were finished at 1:45," Alisa said.

The 27 volunteers from McCook's Memorial United Methodist Church who helped install an aluminum ramp at the home of Lois Vigneur take a moment for a group photo with her. The Re-think Church volunteers that day include MUMC Associate Pastor Alisa Parde. Kim Parde, Diana Wilkinson, Clair Hanson, Abby Johnson, Alexis Goodenberger, NOW committee chair Melanie Goodenberger, Cherri Fune, Bill Fune, Jeff Crick, Beth Crick, Rod Bryan, Laurie Bryan, Steve Keene, MUMC Senior Pastor Rev. Dr. Doug Griger, Seth Griger, Aaron Thompson, Tom Lentz, Coleton Lentz, Bill Larington, Melissa Larington, Brigham Larington, Molly Grace Larington, Leo Larington, Brandon Melcyk, Dave Winder and Devlin Reece. (Alisa Parde/Courtesy photo)

Melanie introduced Alisa and MUMC's Senior Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Doug Griger, to Lois, and the associate pastor presented Lois her new ramp on behalf of the United Methodist Church. She told Lois that God is caring for her needs, and that all of the people there that day were proud to be God's hands and feet, being God's servants. Lois was emotional and thankful to the group for doing the work; as the crew left, Lois' praises were clear: "God bless the United Methodist Church."

"Every now and then we get an opportunity to serve God by serving others," Alisa said. "On that Saturday, 27 of us prayed together, and were able to be the hands and feet of God. It didn't take all 27 people to do the work, but their stewardship and willingness to show up and let Lois know that they cared about her need for a ramp, and that God cared, was a powerful witness. We give God the glory for the donations that made the purchase of the ramp possible, for the open hearts and ears that listened to his call, and for the privilege to meet and help one of his children, and answer a need."

Alisa also said that she felt that the work they had done for Lois had further positive implications for people passing by her church's volunteers. "I feel we made an impact on another family's life. People drove by looking at the group of people in red Re-think Church shirts, and watched a ramp being put together," she said.

The associate pastor encouraged other churches to do their own Re-think Church or similar projects. "After watching what took place with Lois, and the workers this past week, I can tell you that God was working in the lives of the workers, as well as Lois," she said.

"I asked a few of our workers to share their experience during our church services the next day," Alisa shared. "One of our youth said, 'It was an emotional experience. I watched the lady in the wheelchair, and I cried. I realized that I actually was able to make a difference in someone's life. It was a wonderful experience.'"