Unsung Heroes 2023 | Page 20

UNSUNG HEROES 2023
Susan and her husband Steven at the live nativity in Germany . | Photo contributed
I had to drop my youngest son off at the doorstep of the kindergarten so we could catch the train for language school . My son would wave at me as I drove away and looked through the rearview mirror and see him . It was hard .”
The Jetts went through one year of extensive language school and after 10 months Susan , finally came out of culture shock .
In May of 1990 , the Jett family was in full-time ministry in Germany as Steven pastored a church and preached and prayed in German and Susan taught Sunday school in the native language .
“ I still miss it ,” she shared , “ My biggest memory was the live nativity scenes we put on in the market place in Germany for 17 years .”
In 2016 , the Jetts received a stateside assignment through the South Union Mount Zion Baptist Association and they found themselves back in Williamsburg where she is the office manager for the organization and her husband is director of missions for over 55 churches in the Tri- County area .
“ We felt like that is what God wanted
Page 20 us to do so that ’ s what we did ,” Susan said . “ I came back to Williamsburg after all those years saying I would never come back to the Burg .”
She found herself surrounded by people involved in the local homeless shelter in Williamsburg and when those running it retired , she felt led to oversee the project .
“ This is a God-led thing . It had to be because I have no background of running a homeless shelter or renovating ,” Susan said . “ That ’ s how the Lord works though . He takes those who don ’ t know what they are doing but are willing and makes things happen .”
Emergency Christian Ministries ( ECM ) is a non-profit organization that provides temporary homeless housing . They have 10 rooms with bathrooms which underwent a full renovation due to the neglected condition of the site when the Jetts took over the project .
The shelter was closed during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic but they took the time to get the shelter back in good condition with the help of the community . Both the city of Williamsburg and Whitley County donated $ 25,000 which helped fund a new roof and renovating the bathrooms . Additionally , organizations in the community donate monetary funds and time to help keep the shelter in working condition .
Susan said their biggest need is for regular monthly donors and volunteers so the shelter can work off a budget — something that isn ’ t possible with the random numbers currently received each month .
Susan is the only full-time worker at the shelter and says the work she does brings her joy .
“ It ’ s not easy but it ’ s fun . I really enjoy it even though I am an introvert . I enjoy working with the people that come up here and interact with me . Sometimes I have to holler at them . Sometimes I have to be a mother to them . It depends on the situation but when they leave , I miss them . I ’ m glad they move on and move out of the nest but I miss them ,” Susan shared . “ The Lord has given me the job and the tools I need to complete that job . In myself , I couldn ’ t do it .”
One of the residents at the time of the interview had been staying at ECM for two weeks . Dakoda Bunch , 26 , stated how the people at ECM has made him feel like family and have sparked his old-time passion for art . He has gotten involved in the community using his creative skill he has enjoyed since high school .
“ I come from a broken home and gave up on art for a long time . I don ’ t know entirely why I ended up here but I think that ’ s part of why I am here because I started to find a love for art again . They say I have a gift [ and ] might as well use it ,” Bunch emotionally shared his story . “ Being with someone who has struggled with anxiety and depression for years , this is the most peace of mind I have had in as long as I can remember . With some of the people here , I have found family I have really needed .”
Susan shared she has seen Bunch build his self-confidence .
Bunch is looking forward as he hopes he can find a job and follow his passion for being creative through art . The project

“ This is a God-led thing . It had to be because I have no background of running a homeless shelter or renovating . That ’ s how the Lord works though .”

at the shelter he took part in was the mural in the new children ’ s and community area being renovated currently with funds from the Save The Children organization . The project opened a door for him to get another mural project in a local restaurant .
“ Slowly but surely , just one foot in front of the other ,” Bunch said . “ I am hopeful I can get it right this time by doing things with my heart and expanding my horizons . No matter what God has always provided .”
Susan wants more of the community to get involved and see stories like Bunch ’ s for themselves .
“ Homelessness is going to become even a bigger problem in Appalachia than it is now especially in the older population ,” Susan shared . “ We need to be better equipped for the cause .”
If you are interested in getting involved with the Williamsburg Emergency Christian Services , you can contact them through Facebook , email at ecmonthehill @ outook . com or call ( 606 ) 400-1464 .