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February 16, 2008

Nederland church ‘links” Stephens to new trailer home

by Darragh Doiron







NEDERLAND — Piles of donated clothes are covering a mattress in the corner of a spare church room. Boxes of cleaning supplies and kitchen goods are stacking up nearby and a whole set of donated dishes made its future owner say “Wow.”

Mary Stephens isn’t a member of Living Waters Pentecostal Church, but she’s who the 7-member church ought to be serving, Darwin Hawkins, pastor, said.

The church got its start as a gospel group, then moved to Port Neches after Hurricane Rita damages. With 7 to 10 members, as Hawkins counts them, the congregation is back at home on Helena Avenue in Nederland.

Saturday’s goal: Organize a concert and link sale to net money and goods for Mary Stephens, who lost everything in a trailer fire in January. She and her nephew, Chris Lee, have been living in motels. With church help, a donated mobile home is on its way to Stephens, but funds are still needed to get it from Vidor to … wherever. Stephens said her old lot at the trailer park won’t be available. She’s taking life — good news and set backs — as it comes.

“I haven’t slowed down enough to let things hit me,” she said.

Saturday afternoon visitors ate links and dropped off house wares for Stephens. At the party in her honor, she wore a green T-shirt with the message “Leave me alone: I’m having a crisis.” Yet it was clear she was appreciative of the work put into the drive.

“This church has been great,” Stephens said repeatedly as members scurried about serving tasks.

Hawkins introduced 15-year-old Chris as a future National Football League player. The teen, who plays football for Nederland High, smiled a bit and hung his head, while his Aunt Mary remarked on his shyness.

Hawkins said his small church is limited on what they can do, but members are always willing to help others, even if they aren’t Living Waters members. He said he believes some churches have developed into social clubs, but this one is all about the service.

“I just have a different concept of church,” Hawkins said. “Jesus Christ meant for us to minister. We always live for others.”

Hawkins said some businesses have also joined in to support the drive for Stephens and Lee. To donate, call him at 626-2938.

Contact this reporter at ddoiron@panews.com.

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