At Tree of Life, one of our core values is “Relationship is for All.” We strive to live this out by doing more than offering a handout — we build meaningful relationships with those we serve and walk alongside them towards an abundant life in Christ. This value is at the heart of our vision to see people give, grow, and give back. 

Louis Jett is a powerful example of what happens when relationships are nurtured, and lives are transformed. 

Louis Jett is a third generation Loudoun County native living in Hillsboro.  His family traces its roots in the county back to the Village of Willard, a predominantly black community established in 1850. That land was sold in 1958 to build Dulles Airport and the families displaced, at which time Louis’ grandfather purchased a one-room schoolhouse in Hillsboro that he renovated into a six-bedroom home where Louis and so many others in his family grew up. Louis left Loudoun shortly to join the army but eventually returned after completing his service. Louis moved into the long-time family home and has spent much of the last decade tracing the history of the black community in Loudoun. He has seen firsthand the vast cultural and demographic changes that have taken place, even in just the small town of Hillsboro, and has strived to share the history of his community.

Louis first approached Tree of Life in 2017 when his historic family home needed substantial repair. Louis was approaching 70 at the time, living on a fixed income, and the home itself presented unique challenges due to its rich history.  

To address Louis’ need, Tree of Life’s Working Hands Ministry called on the help of numerous volunteers from the local community and was able to provide the vital repairs to make Louis’ home safe once again.   

Since then, Louis has been committed to giving back, volunteering with other Working Hands projects and forming close relationships with some of the volunteers that he first met when he was in need – reflecting our vision of give, grow, giveback. 

Louis recently found himself in need of assistance again. Just this past winter, when temperatures dropped to single digits, his water filtration system froze and burst, leaving him without water for weeks. Initially, Louis received a quote to replace the water filtration system from Culligan Water and the total came to $14,000. Louis contacted Tree of Life, where our Partner Care Coordinator, Richie Soltas, and Western Loudoun Regional Director, Maddy Cockerill, worked quickly to find a better quote and, with Kyle from Miller’s Excavating, the price of the system decreased to $7,500. In less than a week, Louis was able to use his water again!  

This gift would not have been possible without funding from Trinity Episcopal Church in Upperville and the Men’s Group at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, both of whom quickly answered the call to help with covering this need. 

Of the project, Louis says, “I feel blessed to have my water back on and thank God for bringing me to Tree of Life. I am so thankful for Tree of Life helping me in my time of need, and for Richie and Maddy who helped get a new water filtration system so I could have hot water in the winter.” 

We are incredibly grateful to be able to help Louis and for the support of so many in our local community that make it possible.  It is even more of a blessing to see partners like Louis who are so inspired by our mission that they don’t just support it, they become part of it. 

 

 

“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how He Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.'” (Acts 20:35)