Answered Prayers: Couple purchases, cleans up lot off Home Avenue

God provides a way for those who pray. That is what Freddie and Claudia James discovered when they went to an auction for the property at the entrance to their street.

Freddie said he had been to land auctions before but never with the intent of bidding on the property. This time was different.

The couple wanted to purchase the property in question so they could clean it up and make a difference in the quality of life in their neighborhood - Creekview Drive, east of the railroad tracks and just off East Home Avenue.

The property was not well-kept. In fact, it was an eyesore with as many as 10 to 12 dilapidated trailers and trash all around.

The couple said they had prayed for many years for a way to restore beauty to their side of town.

With a dollar figure in mind that they would not bid above for the property, the couple attended the auction Nov. 23, 2008.

As though a sign from God, Claudia said the bidding stopped at exactly that dollar amount, and the property was theirs.

“We would not have gone another amount,” Freddie said. “We are proud of what the Lord has led us to do.”

“We wanted to clean up our community,” Claudia said. And with God’s direction and leadership, she said that is what they intend to do and hope others will follow their lead.

The Hartsville natives have lived on the east side of town for the past 39 years. Freddie works at Sonoco Products Company and Claudia at Kelleytown Baptist Church.

“We have always seen the west side prosper,” Freddie said.

Now he wants to see his side of town prosper and return it to the beauty it once was.

The first step the couple took to achieve this goal was to remove the trailers from the property, which is located past the railroad tracks on East Home Avenue.

“I knew what the Lord wanted me to do,” Freddie said. “We couldn’t rent the homes in their condition.”

Freddie said he wouldn’t want to live in them, and in good conscience he couldn’t continue to rent them. He gave the tenants notice and time to find other and hopefully better housing.

“That was the hardest part,” Freddie said.

Claudia said they didn’t charge rent in the end in an effort to help the families while they looked for better housing.

In the last year, Freddie and Claudia have transformed the property into a small park with grass and a bench to sit on and enjoy a beautiful day or to pray at the feet of a cross erected there.

The couple said the bench was a gift from Ann Chavis and the cross came from their church.

Freddie said he got the cross last Easter from Solid Rock Mission for Christ Church on U.S. 15 Bypass. He put the cross up where there was a large mound of dirt and planted grass and flowers at the base.

“I just can’t bring myself to take it down,” said Freddie as he and his wife sat on the bench looking up at his handwork.

Claudia said they welcome others to stop, sit and pray.

Freddie also put up a wooden fence and decorated if for fall. Two weeks ago, he added American flags for Veterans Day. A veteran himself, Freddie has served 26 years in the National Guards and two years in the U.S. Army.

As for the Christmas season, Freddie said, “Christmas is over decorated. I might do something in honor of Jesus’ birthday.”

The fast improvement to the property has gone unnoticed.

“I can’t tell you how many people have stopped and complimented me on the property and what I have done,” Freddie said.

Former co-worker Winky Black stopped by, he said, and praised the work he had done and gave him a donation for his efforts.

While Freddie said he appreciated the donation, the compliments meant more to him.

The couple appreciates the encouragement and support given them for their efforts but say they are not finished.

Claudia said her husband has several things he would like to accomplish. He wants to build a bridge across the huge ditch that runs along the side the property once he gets it cleaned up.

Freddie said people have been throwing trash and junk in that ditch for 10 years, and it will take a lot of effort to clean it out.

Once the park is finished, Freddie said, “I want to have a gospel singing.”

He also wants to serve coffee and donuts next year on Veterans Day to all the veterans who drive by. Another goal is to organize a motorcycle rally to begin at the park to benefit the Darlington County Humane Society.

Freddie said he just has to figure out the details.

During this time of the year, as people reflect on the things they are most thankful for, Freddie and Claudia James say at the top of their list are answered prayers.