Rural Mission: Shelter from the Storms of Life

It’s simply inaccurate to say you walk “into” the home of this woman in her 60s, her two disabled daughters, and six grandchildren. The structure presents a thin veneer between “in” and “out.” When it pours, it rains inside the house, causing mold to grow on the walls. No matter, they’re pulling apart from the buckling floor anyway, giving the anoles and other wildlife more access and egress, as if the fist-sized hole in the back of the cabinet wasn’t enough. The hole comes in handy during hot weather though, because the windows have been painted shut for years. Opening the cabinet provides airflow through the flaws in the walls in summer, a pleasant alternative to the lack of air conditioning.

This multi-generational home reflects the typical challenges the organization Rural Mission faces on a daily basis. As assistant volunteer coordinator Linda Fasig explains, “You could easily bulldoze a third of the houses we work on, but then the families would have nowhere to live. Every time I think I’ve seen it all, I have to take it back.”

Founded in the early 60s to help migrant farming families, Rural Mission has changed with the times to serve the generationally bereft on the sea islands. Today, unlike Habitat for Humanity, which builds new homes for struggling families, Rural Mission works to strengthen fragile sea island houses one plank, nail, floor, and roof at a time. According to program director Chris Brooks, the Mission’s housing program annually repairs 75-80 condemned houses, powered by missionaries from around the country and a miniscule $526,000 budget.

Fortunately, Rural Mission has had nearly 50 years of help. Strengthened by volunteers, engaged leaders, donors, and neighbors who own property on Kiawah Island and in other Charleston-area communities, the organization has been able to help hundreds of families maintain their homes and sustain the basics of life. No matter where they live or how they contribute, Rural Mission’s many donors are all guided by something greater than self. As Island resident and volunteer Nancy Hall says, “I have seen the need, and God has given me a heart for this cause.”

More heart is always needed. According to Linda Gadson, executive director and a driving force behind Rural Mission for 41 years, the economic downturn has doubled requests for help over the last two years, while trimming the number of missions by 20 percent. Fasig says that the 839 applications for home aid currently in the pipeline would take 11 years to repair, even in the absence of any new requests.

In addition to repairing houses to the point of livability, the organization’s separate crisis ministry helps with utility bills and other urgent needs. “We try to look after the whole person, whatever their needs may be,” Gadson says. “Love is a wonderful inspiration. There is always someone to look after, a list of things which need to be done, and much more we could be doing for this community.” Gadson recognizes that education is the permanent fix for better lives. To that end, the Mission is opening a carpentry class so families can maintain their homes. She encourages everyone to volunteer, even those without building experience. “You’re always welcome to share your skills,” she says. “Please come, we need you.”

For more information about donating to Rural Mission and supporting its most pressing needs, please visit RuralMission.org.