MDS dedicates a home—and opens a door toward healing

Grief and hope alike flowed out from the porch. On Sept. 26—home dedication day—Lynn Cooper held her late husband’s ashes and his photo, stood close to his boot print pressed into the concrete below, gathered her three children close, and opened the door to their rebuilt home in Port Royal, Pennsylvania.

Honoring Chris Cooper with his photograph, urn, and his lasting bootbrint

A little over 18 months ago, Chris Cooper suddenly died in a boating accident while saving the life of his 16-year-old son, Chase. In addition to Chase, he left behind Lynn, his wife of 17 years, and two other children, 14-year-old Lexie and 20-year-old Mason.

Lynn and Chris had purchased their 1904-era house with the goal of making it structurally sound and a “forever home.” But when Chris passed away, Lynn did not have the means to continue their dream plans. She works a part-time schedule so that she can care for Chase, who has autism.

Over the past year, Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) volunteers, partnering with Helping Hands of Juniata County, rebuilt the home so that the Cooper family can realize Chris’s dreams of a safe, secure dwelling for his family.

During the home dedication service, Keith Graybill, vice chair of the MDS Juniata/Snyder Unit, described how the work was possible because of strong community partnerships and the love that poured forth from MDS, Port Royal, and Juniata County.

“We’re glad to have you as a faith community and as partners here,” he said, speaking to more than 25 people gathered for the dedication. “MDS goes by the motto ‘Respond, Rebuild, Restore’ and I believe that’s what’s happened here. We are also here to give praise to the Lord for all He has done.”

Glenn Carper, chair of the MDS Juniata/Snyder Unit, recalled that, when he first saw the Cooper’s home, he realized he could not tackle this work on his own.

“It just came together,” he said. “It was a community project.”

The cooper family smiling together for a photo

Surrounded by love

Lynn Cooper, who accepted a wall hanging and a Bible from MDS during the dedication, considers the house a lifeline to a late husband and father who was determined to see the work through, but tragically lost his life way too soon.

“We are really blessed,” said Cooper, letting her tears fall freely onto the porch. “We had a lot of things that needed to be done to stay in the home Chris lived in with us,” she said. “We were surrounded by a lot of really good people.”

Those who volunteered came forward with their own tearful hugs for Cooper.

Lynn Cooper presented with a traditional quilt gift from the MDS team

Olivia Shoop, resource coordinator for Helping Hands of Juniata County, had seen the house many times as work progressed, realizing the fruits of all the donations that poured forth from the community and beyond.

“We couldn’t have asked for a more wonderful gift to be given to a wonderful family,” she said. “We love you.”

Wendy Kerstetter, events and development director for the Christian Retreat Center, brought youth to volunteer as part of the MDS crew.

“It’s a neat partnership,” she said. “MDS has been a real blessing. I think it speaks to MDS’s mission, that for our young people, volunteering for MDS is a stepping stone to a life of service.”

The dedication means the end of MDS’s work on the Cooper’s house—but not the end of a friendship that has grown strong over the past year. Lynn Cooper plans to attend the upcoming MDS Juniata/Snyder Unit meeting, where she will share her story with even more people.

Still, everyone in Port Royal will miss the daily presence of MDS at the Cooper’s house.

“It’s going to be weird to drive past here and not have the MDS trailer,” said Shoop.