Letter to the editor
To the editor:
The Feb. 13 fire at Bethany Gospel Mission Home on Stockton Street in Hightstown was in many ways a terrible tragedy. Thank God only one fireman was injured while fighting the blaze. The five residents who lived at Bethany lost their home. And the one family who was planning to move to Bethany does not now have a safe, secure home to live in as a result of the fire.
I arrived at Bethany two years ago this coming April after being released from a clinic in Pennsylvania for the environmentally ill. I had lost my job and even my home as a result of a chemical injury. I had no place to go. I prayed. I saw Pastor Robert Turton in a vision. I called him. Within two weeks, I had moved to Bethany. A pastor from Africa along with his wife and three children arrived at Bethany a week later.
I have seen a lot of changes for the better at Bethany over the past two years. A few months ago, Pastor Turton’s son-in-law, who recently moved to Bethany with his wife and daughter, began a renovation project which greatly improved the inside of the mission home. Unfortunately, the project caused an additional amount of construction debris to pile up outside. The town does not pick up most construction debris so there was no use placing it on the curb. The mission is currently planning to haul the debris away.
Sadly, I had been forced to leave Bethany a few weeks before the fire due to a faulty insecticide application in the neighborhood. Although it did not affect anyone else that I know of, I became extremely ill because of the nature of my disability. I tried returning only to become sick again. Everything I owned in the mission is still contaminated with insecticide. I cannot go back. The Gospel Mission Corps that manages Bethany is still endeavoring to help me in spite of their own problems. I’m currently living in sub-standard housing, sleeping on the floor without a shower or kitchen.
The fire at Bethany not only drove out the residents but also prevented a minister who is disabled, his wife and their three small children from moving in. Where will they stay? No doubt there are others in our area in need of housing assistance.
For the past 30 years Bethany has been home to countless families and individuals, including children, the elderly, the disabled, the homeless, new immigrants to our shores and those suffering from broken relationships. Bethany has also housed missionaries and other Christian workers.
Bethany Gospel Mission Home must be reopened ASAP. Will you lend a helping hand? Jesus said, "Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren, you did it to me.".
You can help re-open Bethany by sending a donation made out to Bethany Gospel Mission Home. Their mailing address is Gospel Mission Corps, P.O. Box 175, Hightstown, N.J. 08520-0175.
Carpenters, electricians, painters or anyone else who is interested in donating their time and talents in order to re-open Bethany, please contact Pastor Robert Turton at 448-2503 or e-mail, [email protected].
Richard Swanson
Washington