Churches' effort brings hope home to a family by Christine Kumar
UMConnection Staff  | | Aliese Coates, left, with the help of Calvert County Commissioner Susan Shaw, cuts the ribbon to celebrate her new home. | Nathan and Aliese Coates and their six children lost their home and possessions in a tragic fire last January. They also lost any hope of recovery — that is until a group of churches responded. In the early morning of Jan. 25, the home the Coates had lived in for 40 years went up in flames. Officials speculate that it was due to a wood stove that spewed out sparks and ignited the rest of the house. Aliese Coates and her husband did not have homeowner's insurance. But family members and her church, Patuxent UMC in Huntingtown, came to their aid. Annette Bourne, missions chairperson and a member of Patuxent UMC for 38 years, went to her pastor, the Rev. Tunde E.O. Davies, and told him they wanted to find a way to build a new home for the Coates family. Davies, also pastor of Plum Point UMC, looked at her in disbelief, she recalled, and could not imagine how they could embark on such a big project. When he called the contractors to get an estimate, he was told it would cost $40,000 to build a new house. Bourne and another member of Patuxent, Jean Jones, did not give up. They called area churches and sent out letters requesting funds and help to build a new house for the family. 'I prayed before starting and asked God for direction,' said Bourne. Eleven churches — nine United Methodist, one Catholic and one Latter Day Saints — responded to the plea and gave monetary support. Various companies and individuals gave materials and provided meals and other donations.  On Nov. 20 the entire community joined together to celebrate and worship in the sanctuary of Patuxent UMC.
'We are here because of community effort. We can achieve a lot when we put God first,' said Davies. Silence fell in the sanctuary when the Coates family was given newly cut keys to their home. Many clung to their tissues and wiped away tears. The family stood in front of the church as Nathan Coates spoke. 'Four years ago I was doing drugs and alcohol and now I am clean,' he said. People got up from their seats, clapped and cheered. Aliese Coates held the key tightly in her hand. 'Thank you is not enough, but God knows our heart.' Following the service people drove to the new house nearby. Coates and Calvert County Commissioner, Susan Shaw, cut the yellow ribbon to inaugurate the new ranch-style home still smelling of fresh paint. As people entered, many wiped their feet hard on the doormat trying to avoid getting the new green carpet dirty. OTHER HELPERS United Methodist churches assisting the Coates family with donations of money and time: Huntingtown UMC
Mt. Harmony/Lower Marlboro UMC
Mt. Hope UMC, Sunderland
Carroll Western/Mt. Olive UMC,
Prince Frederick
Brooks UMC, St. Leonard
Smithville UMC
Trinity UMC, Prince Frederick
Plum Point UMC
Patuxent UMC | The family received furniture, bunk beds, towels, bed linens, house wares and clothes from the community. The children, all honor roll students, ranging from ages 11 to 17, were speechless. 'I am numb, and I want to fall to the floor and thank the Lord God, who is the center of our lives,' said Aliese Coates. The Coates family moved in a few days before Thanksgiving. 'The whole community came together and connected. The family celebrated Thanksgiving in their new home,' said Bourne. | 
Login/Register to leave comment