"Extreme Makeover" Renovation Project in Rapid Time and High Quality: 

Imagine being involved in a good "Old Fashioned Barn Raising" in the model of an "Extreme Makeover". Experience the joy of helping others, having fun and truly building community!

After: Draft Video

Before: See video of the project

Learn about the history of the project below:

Update: January 4, 2010:

Absolutely Awesome and Amazing. That is a simple attempt to explain the happenings and miracles for this project. Thank You! Thank You! Thank You! to all the volunteers, prayer teams, and financial contributors. See links below for a draft of a final presentation and all the pictures taken during the project by Randall Elley.

Update: December 30, 2009:

Here is a link to a draft of a final presentation of the project:  http://www.photodex.com/sharing/viewshow?fl=3157223&alb=0#. You may have to download a quick presentation software to view the show. Some of the pictures in the video presentation were taken by a camera without the right date set. All pictures were taken from December 11 to December 24.

Update: December 24, 2009:

The Smith family has moved in for Christmas Eve and will wake in their new home for Christmas morning. It is rumored Santa made a visit to the home while the family attended Christmas Eve service at Bethany. Thanks to every volunteer, prayer teams, and financial contributors who have made this all possible. Below are links to all the pictures taken by Randall Elley.

Use the links below to go to the web albums.

First Saturday:

http://picasaweb.google.com/RandallElley1/2009_12HomeMakeoverDay1?authkey=Gv1sRgCL_k7eL98Njecg

Mid-week:

http://picasaweb.google.com/RandallElley1/2009_12HomeMakeoverMidWeek?authkey=Gv1sRgCJumuYWzqLHl2wE

Second Saturday:

http://picasaweb.google.com/RandallElley1/2009_12HomeMakover2ndSaturday?authkey=Gv1sRgCKWg75joz9iz5AE

The Blessing

http://picasaweb.google.com/RandallElley1/2009_12HomeMakoverBlessing?authkey=Gv1sRgCK60qvynmt2zTA

Update: December 21, 2009:

Twenty or more volunteers participated over the second weekend. Neighbors made significant contributions of their time during the week to make this project a success - most notably, Mike Sales, owner of Central Texas Plumbing. Additional contractors who are making this project a success are Greg Smith, owner of Hammerhead Construction, and Jeff Stec, owner of Southland Painting. They have put in an extraordinary number of hours in the evening hours during the week. Please consider using these folks for any renovation projects you have. See their contact info on the "Partner" webpage.

Update: December 17, 2009:

Project continues to move along plan. Several volunteers, including the Smith's neighbors, have been working during the week when they had some time available. Family "move that bus" moment is scheduled for Sunday, December 20th at 6:00p to 6:30p. All are invited. Map to the Project Site

Update: December 14, 2009:  See pictures of project from Saturday.

Twenty volunteers participated in the project on Saturday, December 12th. For twelve hours hands and tools moved at a rapid pace to remove old building materials, make structural changes and add new enhancements and features. Volunteers working on the home took brief breaks to enjoy the abundance of great food provided by other volunteers. After enjoying the food and great fellowship, volunteers quickly returned to their assigned task.  A few unexpected challenges were taken in stride and quickly resolved. Some volunteers will be working during the week to ensure the project stays on track for completion by next Saturday, December 19th. It is truly an amazing opportunity to experience the faith community in action and, even better, to see the home owners' neighbors and friends come lend a hand. The project actually became a community 'barn raising'. See pictures of project - provided by Randall Elly.

Overview of Project:    See video of the project:

A few weeks ago we learned that a young couple, recently married as a blended family with four children from previous marriages. All four children are under the age of 5. The husband had been restoring his mobile home to better accommodate the family and he lost his job. He has recently found a new job, yet the family can use a boost to accelerate getting their feet back on solid ground, complete the restorations, and have a home that supports their four children.

Map to the Project Site

This couple are members and active volunteers at Bethany United Methodist Church. While Bethany’s active faith community and missions outreach can fully support this project, we wanted to offer the opportunity to participate to the broader Austin community. Bethany UMC has blessed the project and the Goldsberrys are the sponsors and primary contacts, along with several other key volunteers.

“Extreme Makeover” Styled Project   

We are organizing the volunteers and contributions to make this project happen over a couple of weekends in order that the family will be back in their home before Christmas. The objective is to complete a quality project and have fun while doing it. Think about it as a good “old fashioned” barn raising where the community comes together to support a single family. 

 

Imagine Christmas Morning

These young children awake like most children on Christmas morning, yet this Christmas morning these children wake up to a completely restored, fully functioning home and this young couple get to focus on the real meaning of Christmas and experience the blessings of the hands and feet of the faith community.

 

You and your family awake on Christmas morning and you take a few moments to lift up this family in prayer and you experience for yourself the true meaning of Christmas a little more richly because of your contribution to make this a very special Christmas for this family and for yours.