Church group aides in clean-up

Methodist volunteer Bud Frederick (far right) catches up with fellow workers Arthur and Karen Churchill while waiting on a load of brush to be placed in the back of the group's dump truck. The volunteers were part of a Methodist group from Searcy which visited Rector last week.
(Democrat photo/Ryan Rogers)

[Click to enlarge]

The organization, associated with the United Methodist church, had been working in northwest Arkansas when church leaders there put them in contact with Rector First United Methodist Church pastor Velda Bell. Bell explained the damage done in Rector and the group, from Searcy, made plans to come to the small community and lend a hand.

The group was started by Sid and Jeanetta Langley of Searcy through their Langley Excavating company. The couple, who previously had worked with praise and worship groups, wanted to do their part to help others who had been affected by natural disasters. The group came together to work after tornadoes ripped through Beebe, Floyd and Carter Hill in 1999.

"Sid and I have had Langley Excavating for 30 years," Jeanetta said. "We've had a lot of experience with this kind of work. When we saw what people were going through after those tornadoes, we knew we were meant to use our experience and equipment to help out."

The Langleys have helped clear out debris from the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and other severe storms. The group has even gone the extra mile --- literally --- transporting desperately-needed supplies. The Langleys were one of the first to take supplies to a hospital in Laurel, Miss., which had nearly shut down without the necessary materials following Katrina.

Jeanetta said she does not believe in coincidences, but Christ-idences. The couple feels their excavation business was the ideal path for them to be able to lend a hand to others when needed.

"I don't feel like we were in the right place at the right time," Jeanetta said. "It's something more. We feel that we've been called to help others, and we're trying to do just that."

The Langleys were joined by others over time. The crew that came to Rector also included Bud Frederick, Chad Cook, Arthur Churchill and Karen Churchill. Frederick has a connection to Rector through a friendship with native Mark Johnson.

"I had heard a lot about Rector and how it was such a close-knit and caring community," Frederick said. "I've seen that firsthand since we've been here. I'm happy to be here and be a part of helping out after the storm came through."

The group arrived in town with two backhoes and a pair of large dump trucks to haul the debris away. The group has been so active they literally had a backhoe break down during the clean up. Undaunted, Sid brought another backhoe to Rector so their work could continue. The group has donated both their time and equipment, with residents receiving no charge for the assistance.

"Wherever God leads us, we try to do what we can," Frederick said. "We're not looking to get paid for this. We just want to do what we can to help out."

The assistance has been greatly appreciated. Though there are still brush piles lining many streets, the improvement has been undeniable, as several loads of limbs were gathered and taken away.

"We're very grateful to them and all the work they've done," pastor Bell said. "They've been working hard not just here in Rector, but also in other parts of the state."