MIAMI (WSVN) — An Overtown church is nearly ready to open a temporary housing development after being the victim of a vandalism and burglary.
Temple Missionary Baptist Church is on its way to a new beginning after rebuilding a temporary housing development that it had been constructing was vandalized and burglarized. "Today is a milestone in our life," said Pastor Glenroy Deveaux.
The help of 7News viewer Luis De Jesus and his company, General Construction Master, helped make the restoration possible. De Jesus saw 7News’ story covering the vandalism back in February and did costly work to restore the building free of charge.
Thieves broke into the building and ripped copper wiring from the walls. "All this was completely pulled out," De Jesus said while gesturing to a wall of the building. "We re-wired the entire building."
The building holds 26 rooms, which will be available to those in need in about a month. Those who come will be able to stay overnight or even for a few weeks. "It could be a mother with a kid, it could be someone who got thrown out of the home — less fortunate," De Jesus said. "Give a little bit, you’ll get a lot back — the smiles, the love."
The church had been raising money for years to renovate the building and was an inspection away from opening when it was broken into. "It’s like a dream come true after what has happened to us," Deveaux said.