This past month has been one of the most difficult and stressful times we have gone through in a very long time. It started with a simple problem, a clogged toilet in one of the 2 upstairs apartments of the GOE outreach center. But it turned into a major problem, a problem that is not yet resolved.

     We could not get the toilet unclogged, so I called a plumbing company to come. While feeding the cable down the drain, the cable somehow went over into the adjoining pipe and up inside the toilet in the adjoining apartment, broke that toilet, and caused water to flood out of the opening where the clogged toilet had been, flooding that apartment. The water also flooded the space between the upstairs floor and the downstairs ceiling, damaging the ceiling and 3 of the 6 ceiling lights in the main room, where we have our Sabbath meetings and other events.

     I quickly drove to Lowe’s and bought a shop vac to remove the water. The plumbing company cleaned things up and brought fans to dry things up. They also replaced the broken toilet. Then they sent me a bill for $3,905.

     Our insurance company inspected the damage and informed me that they will not cover the damage because of a clause in the policy that says water damage from a sewer, a sump pump, or a drain is not covered. I pointed out to my insurance agent that the word FROM denotes the SOURCE of something. The water did not come FROM the sewer, nor from a sump pump. It came FROM a broken water line upstairs and flowed OVER INTO the other apartment and DOWN INTO the space between the upstairs floor and ceiling below. 

     I told my insurance agent that I feel like I am being swindled by people playing with prepositions. My agent agrees with me 100% and is very upset. He has tried to convince the insurance company to cover the damage, but they refuse.

     Our attorney is going to try to get the damages paid for either by our insurance company or by the plumbing company’s insurance. 

     Hopefully the cost of repairs will eventually be paid for, but in the meantime we have attorney fees ($1,250 so far) and we are unable to start the repairs, which means that we have to pay $100 a week to rent space for our Sabbath meetings at a nearby church. Our GOE guest apartment is not available for visitors, because we had to let the tenant of the damaged apartment stay there until things are resolved.

     All this is happening while we are in the process of purchasing a piece of property to expand the GOE ministry. (More detals about that in the next issue, God willing.) I believe that the Enemy is trying to discourage us because of our intention to expand the ministry. When Moses declared God’s intention to take His people to a better place, things immediately got worse before God’s plan unfolded. 

     We have several GOE readers who regularly send donations. We are thankful for every donation, large or small. GOE readers know that I do not pressure people to donate, and I am not pressuring anyone now. I am just letting readers know that if you have been thinking of sending a donation sometime, now is a very good time. You can send a check to Gates of Eden, PO Box 2257, East Peoria, IL 61611-0257. Or, if you don’t mind PayPal keeping 3% of your donation, you can donate at danielbotkin@live.com. Thanks!