An apology to friends of the Beckers. The previous comment was posted in the context that I am the only one that has updated this page for over a year, and when it didn't get updated recently, some complained, and rightfully so. A site like this is only as good as the current news. And hopefully, we have provided this service.

I have not had the time as I have been out of work, myself, and spread too thin in many areas, which creates pressure. This site is definitely NOT about my life, as noted by one of the Becker's friends. More than ever, I have continued to pray that the Becker Family receives the assistance they need. Even today, my wife called Diane Becker and found their septic system has backed up into their new home and they now have to tear some of the walls out. The Becker's issues can get so overwhelming, at times. They still need help!

Last night our family attended a gathering at First Christian Church in Canton and literally thousands attended the second annual Thanksgiving services, probably close to 5,000. It is hard to comprehend the Body of Christ in terms of numberslocally and yet, the Becker home cannot be completed?

Lest this become too negative, there is much to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving day. I imagine most people reading this will be with their own family today, and we can all be thankful for this.

Please call the Beckers at their old phone number, which is below at (330) 877-1498.

Happy Thanksgiving!

The Beckers have basically moved into their new house, although not completely finished. The water is on. Praise the Lord! They're cash flow is being bottlenecked by the insurance company and so the heat is NOT on. The aluminum siding needs to be finished, along with some other assorted electrical work. Their bathrooms need finishing touches as one of their contractors just deceived them by installing items in one bathroom and then uninstalling them before they moved in.

There are a few other outstanding issues but you would need to speak directly to Diane Becker. Their old phone number is now available at (330) 877-1498.

Their address is:

10301 Middlebranch Ave. NE
Hartville, Ohio  44632

When spam occurs to the left of this page, it is nearly impossible to stop. I will check more regularly to eliminate it.

Over the next 3-6 months we will consider taking this page down, as there will be no more need for it.

Yard work and cutting down trees, drywall and framers. This is the immediate need for the Becker Family. Let them know if you have a helping hand to lend.

Need someone with a backhoe, even if it requires a financial donation.

Cell below.

The Beckers are moving today (Thursday, July 31) and tomorrow (Friday, August 1). They are being forced out of their borrowed house and have no where to go. If you can locate somewhere for them to stay, it would be helpful.

If anyone can assist them in any way, please call Diane on her cell, listed below.

Thanks

As an update to the Becker's situation:

Tomorrow, Friday, July 25, thier new house has a plumbing inspection.

Next Week: The HVAC and Electricity go in. The Beckers need painters, drywallers, and someone to cut down some trees.

The Beckers are to be out of the home they are renting by end of next week and they will need as much help with all this coming together next week, as possible.

If you can assist them, please use their cell discretely at (330) 445-0629. Please no calls for chit chat, just help.

Thanks!

Please keep Mark Becker in your prayers. He has been in the hospital for several weeks with an infection in his right leg. At the first when Diane took him to the hospital, doctors threatened to amputate his leg. However, after further diagnosis and time, the swelling has gone down and healing has begun in his body.

After finding Mark's condition to be stable this week, Diane took Robert and a family friend and went to Pennsylvania for a week vacation. If you would be so inclined, Mark could always use a visit, with Diane gone until Monday, July 7. Mark is in Mercy Medical Hospital on the second floor. You may call the hospital at (330) 489-1000 for Mark's room number and phone connection.

More progress is being made on their new home. Please pray for everything to fall together soon, as they need to vacate the temporary home they've been living at for the last year, by end of moth, July.

The beckers wish to thank the following businesses for voluntary services:

Coblentz Plumbing - working on our well

Hartville Hardware and Marty Myers - for the lawnmower

The Beckers

Do you want to see the progress on the Becker home? Take a look at the link!

http://x2a.xanga.com/f3cc6b0678335188827545/t145173407.jpg

Roofing courtesy of Benny Troyer Roofing of Dundee, Ohio

The buidling has started! Anyone that could have some time to lend the Beckers, they could use help. If you go to the property, there is a shed on the right side. There will be a list on the side door. Check it and if there are tasks listed that have not been completed, feel free to assist!

The basement is done and the support poles will be going in tomorrow. You should see a protruding structure by next week.

Excavating started and Joe Bontrager came through for the Beckers. Bontrager Excavating came on Friday and dug out the property and now we wait on the volunteers to lay in the footer.

Keep checking back to find out what happens next!

Big News! The Beckers now have all their permits, and the excavation starts this week (April 14-18). Anyone that wants to help with rough lumber, to get the house under roof, is welcome to come, along with anyone to help trim the yard with wead eatters, etc., also an electrician to check the well pump and hook it up to a power source.

This is where we all get to see God working within the Body of Christ, and it is going to be something to see.

If you would like more information, please call Diane Becker at (330) 497-6164.

The new Becker home is now able to be built. However, the scheduled mason that was going to lay the foundation, and lay the block and brick, cannot do it at this time. So, the Beckers need any help locating someone to do this. If you should know of a mason able to help the Beckers, call Diane at (330) 497-6164 or Bob Butterfield at (330) 494-9774. Otherwise, nothing can progress.

The Beckers got through the Christmas holiday without issues, but a few days ago Mark had to be taken to the hospital for abdominal pains. Diane found out today it is renal failure, which is kidney problems. So, back they went today. Again, please keep them in your prayers.

No update on the new building of the new house, but last mentioned, the Beckers were waiting on Lake Township to process permits.

The Becker Family needs your help in assisting in the rebuilding of their home. According to Diane Becker, you need to contact Bob Butterfield at (330) 494-9774 . Permits will be in this week, November 19-24. Construction on the foundation is starting when permits are received. If you can help pour footer or labor/lay block, brick, etc., please call Bob Butterfield.

It appears as if the Beckers will not get their new home even started because Hartville Zoning Commission is not understanding their circumstances and taking their good old time.

Therefore, they are to be out of their temporary home by no later than December 1, for it to be rented to someone. If anyone knows of another temporary place for the Becker Family to stay for the next six months, please call their current quarters at (330) 497-6164.

Also, the Beckers need a storage area to store items given to them where they would have to move into anything smaller than where they are now.

Diane would like to, again, say thank you for all the surprises that get left on their porch. They are much appreciated.

They still have needs, as you can see at the left. Also, their sons need emotional healing from dealing with all the loss. Mark and Diane are praying for mercy and grace to get through each new day.

Everyone is invited to join the Beckers at Barthel's Garden Center on Oct. 6th for Copper Kettle Apple Butter Day 2007. Diane says the "same yummy applebutter" will be made the old fasshoined way. Come visit, sit, or stir with the Becker Family from 9AM to 3PM. Barthel's is located at 8088 North Market in North Canton.

The Beckers still need someone to pick them up at the airport. If you can do this, please call at (330) 497-6776 or e-mail me at mastevenson1@juno.com .

The Beckers are in North Dakota. They will need a ride back from Cleveland Hopkins Airport on Sunday, September 9th around 1:30PM. If someone is available, please call me at (330) 497-6776. You could use the Becker's van but arrangements will have to be made. Please give me a call if you can pick them up. Thanks.

As Mark and Diane were making preparations for a driving trip to North Dakota, their church body and pastor gave them the funds to fly out on an airplane. This is a great blessing to them.

Also, a CHESCA member gave them a nice rocking chair on Saturday and the Beckers wish to thank everyone for their generosity, with both the airplane tickets and the rocking chair.

The person who donated the freezer space asked to say, "I would like to just be known as someone who had the ability to provide a need and the guidance from God to do so." We thank this anonymous donor for their kindness.

Stay tuned for the next blog of the Becker Family, and keep them in prayer!

Please keep Mark & Diane in your prayers. Mark's mother just passed away and they will have to take an unexpected trip to North Dakota. They do not have the funds to do it, but Diane said they would just have to believe God to supply their needs.

Also, they do not have a cell phone to carry with them. It would be wonderful if someone donated a cell phone for their use.

Diane was expressing that she cannot hardly see to write these days. I asked her if she needed to change her glasses and she said that someone had offered to check the family's eyes, but they can never get an appointment. If there is any way possible that anyone knows of an optometrist who will help the Becker Family, could they PLEASE call Diane at (330) 497-6164. I only hope those who offer to help the Beckers follow through.

Diane asked for Philip to be kept in prayer as he is having issues and has mood swings.

Diane is canning a lot these days as freinds are leaving fresh food on their porch. She thanks you for that.

Diane also wishes to thank the friends who donated the freezer.

Stay tuned for the next blog of the Becker Family, and keep them in prayer!

The new news is the Beckers are looking at house plans today by their pastor, Bob Butterfield. They still need all the items at the left. If you think of any

The Little Theatre Troup had an item shower for the Beckers last Thursday and told Diane how much they appreciated the CHESCA webpage here. We home schoolers cannot take a whole lot of credit, except to say, this is how the "Body of Christ" should work, a church without walls.

Stay tuned for the next blog of the Becker Family, and keep them in prayer!

As of today, the big thing that is needed is for someone to donate freezer space. Various people have given the Beckers freezer food, but they have no where to store it. If they cannot get freezer space, they will have to rent something somewhere.

The Becker's would like to, once again, say a big "thank you" to everyone for outpouring of generosity shown to their family.

We'll keep you posted on further developments about rebuilding their home, etc.

Friends of the Beckers,

The Becker's have a new phone number. It is (330) 497-6164. You are welcome to call them, directly, to discuss any possible donations.

Please continue to view the list to the left and get more of this checked off before the fall comes.

I want to thank many people, at this point. First, I want to thank the CHESCA Council for being gracious to one of our long-standing member families. This experiment has been successful. We have had several reports that this page connected the appropriate people in the community.

Second, I'd like to thank our webmaster Steve Thorn for his generousity of time to put this page together for us, rather quickly.

Third, I'd like to thank the following people as outstanding friends to the Beckers: Associate Pastor Mike McCartney for finding the Beckers a temporary location, Suzie Thomas for finding a whole houseful of furniture and movers for the day, which ended up being Two Men and a Truck (you guys are wonderful), Pastor Butterbridge and the congregation of Open Door Baptist Church for the countless hours and donations like the Pampered Chef party, etc., CHESCA Members and other home schoolers for your various acts of kindness and generosities, Kyle Brown from the Suburbanite for such a well-written artcle on the fire, WNPQ - The Light 95.9 FM for having Diane on to talk about the fire, Dianna and Dean Scott for various trips from Harrison County to assist in whatever way possible, Sara Owens for assisting with clothing, to all the local churches that have given liberally, and last, anyone else I have unintentionally neglicted to mention here.

I'm sure Jesus is delighted in all these things.

The Pampered Chef meeting, to benefit Diane Becker in putting her kitchen back together, will be held today at their church, Open Door Baptist Church, located at 7688 Market Ave. N. in North Canton, tonight, at 7:00PM. Open Door Baptist Church's phone number is: (330)494-9774. Proceeds and points will go to Diane. Diane says to show up and introduce yourself.

If you cannot attend, please note that you can donate by ordering through this account, http://www.pamperedchef.biz/pattyfunkskitchen , when ordering, order under Diane Becker's name.

A lot of things fell into place this week as the Beckers have been adjusting to life after "the fire." The week started by the demolition of their old home. Keepsake items and pictures were found, along with the hard drive of their computer (which they need a professional to retrieve the content, listed to the left).

They also started the move into their new temporary home, along with furniture and household donations. They moved in last night! They still need a telephone. It is hard to conserve auto fuel when a household phone is not available. As soon as they receive a telephone, they can get a new phone number to give out.

The Canton Repository released a follow up story today. It does mention this webpage and the benevolence fund that has been set up. The Suburbanite is planning on releasing a follow up story soon.

An update to the list at the right is there are now more home schooling curriculum needs. Also, some adjustments have been made on withdrawing items that have been donated. To keep track of the recentness of the Current Needs list, we have put up a date when it was last updated. This should help you to know how often the list receives revisions. Also, the current date is located on the far top right of the page, so if you decide to print the list, the date is right on the page.

Again, please pass this webpage on to others you know may be able to help the Becker Family. The family is reading all the well-wishing at the bottom of the page. Diane says, "...keep writing them".

Today the Becker property was to receive a demolition crew to begin the work of rebuilding by taking away the rubble. However, before and during the demolition, several people picked through the rubble and found several cherished items. A great deal of pictures were recovered, most damaged in some way. Diane's wedding rings were recovered, setting off some emotion. Other items recovered helped lessen some of the pain.

Credit to the rubble searchers: Ethan and Cody Muckelrath, Christina and David Stevenson, Philip and Robert Becker, along with Diane Stevenson and Mark and Diane Becker. Hope I'm not missing anyone!

Also, credit goes to Paula Sessions and her crew for doing a quick-clean of the location being moved into tomorrow. Folks, your hours of dedication to the Becker Family is humbling. Thank you!

The Becker Family is finally moving into their new temporary home off the square in Greentown! And thanks to Two Men and a Truck for their donation of time to moving some inital donations of furniture and household items. How does someone begin to say thanks to a local business like this? Special thanks to Gary for arranging this. Their tag line, "Movers Who Care", looks genuine to us, since they are doing the moving, gratis.

If you would like to assist Beckers with helping the move tomorrow, please arrive at the address provided in the last blog post. You may click the hyperlink to find your way to the new temporary home. Please arrive at around 10:00AM and please eat a full meal before you arrive.

Don't forget to donate to the Diane Becker Benevolence Fund at First Merit Bank.

For the benefit of those assisting the Beckers with their move to their new temporary residence, the address is:

3188 State St., North Canton, Ohio  44720

You may use this Mapquest page to locate their new home.

For those wanting to donate financial gifts to the Becker Family, here is how you can do it. You may call the branch where it was set up (330) 877-1812, or mail it to:

Diane Becker Benevolence Fund c/o First Merit Bank, 832 W. Maple St., Hartvlille, Ohio  44632

You will want to mention you are giving to the Diane Becker Benevolence Fund. The following link will show you where the sponsoring branch is located.

The Suburbanite, a local newspaper, released a well-written story on the Becker Family, by Kyle Brown. It can be located here:

http://www.thesuburbanite.com/story.php?storyID=2952

Kyle has written a very well-rounded, moving account. I suggest you follow the link and read the story. Thanks to the Suburbanite for great reporting!

The projected move to Greentown will be next week, Tuesday or Wednesday. For those who have filled out the Needs Form at the left, we are attempting to coordinate whomever can move items to do it on these two days. More details will come about exactly what time, and where the home is located.

Diane did appear on WNPQ this morning relating how Mark finally got out of the house on fire, by throwing a blanket over his head and "following the light" out. What a story of God's protection!

We are looking for opportunities for the Beckers to appear in front of various media. If you can assist at locating a great opportunity, please let me know by e-mailing me at pac@chesca.org .

Demolition of the burned house is loosely scheduled for today. Pray for the family as this will be a difficult and emotional moment.

Stay tuned!

To those who would like to donate clothing items, we have a volunteer who will head this up. Her name is Sarah Owens . The team thanks Sarah for her kind assistance.

Pick from the list, complete the respondent form, and we will notify her of the content to arrive. Only e-mail her for a scheduling time for drop off.

Please be thoughtful of her time as she has three children. If you e-mail her, be as precise and concise as possible, with a preferred date and time to drop off.

This evening, Diane Becker informed me that Mark's mother, in North Dakota, has Pancreatic Cancer and went on dialysis recently. Please pray that God would touch this lady and raise her to new health.

For those who would like to verify this situation as legitimate, here are links to two Canton Repository articles written on the Becker home fire: one and two .

Today Diane Becker came over to update this page. Our memories went back to early Sunday morning and the fire (see post below). One thing the family understands is that God will bring them through this.

Locally, a trust account is being opened in the Becker's name and should be accessible to the public by tomorrow, Friday, July 13, 2007. Anyone wishing to make a charitable donation should go to any First Merit Bank branch location and make out a check or money order to the account.

Also in local notes, WNPQ 95.9 FM, The Light, will have Diane on their drive time radio program at 8:00AM hour tomorrow, Friday, July 12. Radio personality Suzy Thomas will be interviewing her. Be listening!!!

Also, the local paper, the Suburbanite will be publishing a story on the Becker Family. By today, more items should be up on this page. Please keep checking as new news and donation item requests will be updated.

Special thanks to Steve Thorn, webmaster for CHESCA (Christian Home Educators Stark County Association), and CTI , our webserver. He did a great job in such a short amount of time.

As quickly as this situation has developed, God has shown His love through a local pastor. Associate Pastor Mike McCartney from the The Chapel in North Canton found a wonderful opportunity for the Beckers to stay in a home located near the square in Greentown, Ohio. Even better, another person locally has offered a whole house-full of furnishings for the Beckers to review. We will update you on further details. We have a few people that may be designated to take care of coordinating clothing and glassware. As soon as we can confirm this, you will see whom that will be here. This webpage will be going through a phased system of donation requests. As summer passes on, fall will be coming, then winter. You will eventually see some of the clothing donation requests changing, along with seasonal items. It's hard to imagine losing all the Christmas decorations one has collected over years time, but that's the situation the Beckers are in. Stay tuned!

Diane informed me that their church, Open Door Baptist Church, located at 7688 Market Ave. N. in North Canton, will be having a Pampered Chef party to benefit Diane Becker's new kitchen items. Proceeds and points will go to Diane. The date is Monday evening, July 23, at 7:00PM. Open Door Baptist Church's phone number is: (330)494-9774

I am always amazed at the expression of love by the Body of Christ! God is so good to us in this community. As Suzy Thomas and I were taking this afternoon, she expressed how she would just like to see everything God has for the Becker family. So, be listening to WNPQ, 95.9 FM, The Light to hear this webaddress being given out on Wednesday, July 11, 2007. We can always use more givers. But be patient with our effort as we are a small crew of one or two here. This site seemed to be a great way to get items to them as quickly as possible.

As a close friend of the Becker Family, I have asked others to put their love and concern together to rebuild the lives of Mark, Diane, Philip, and Robert Becker.

As my wife and I were called out by a frantic voice mail on our phone machine at 1:33AM, we never expected to pull up to five fire trucks and a house totally engulfed in a ball of fire. Only hours before, our family had attended a celebration for Philip's graduation party from home schooling, low all these many years. Yet, a family in tremendous shock stood there in total disbelief as their home disappeared in flame and smoke.

Left helpless to do anything to stop it, most of the family crumbled in trauma and emotion. All my wife and I could do was gather the family up, help the emergency crews do their job, and assist in early morning phone calling to other close friends to be called on for support.

As a form of preventative care, all four were put in different ambulances and driven to hospitals to be checked for smoke inhalation. Robert and Philip were taken to Akron Children's Hospital while Mark and Diane were taken to Mercy Medical. We had close-friend support at both hospitals.

As a pastor, I tried to keep everyone on an even keel. The Becker's pastor arrived and gave a moving prayer, calling on God to raise them up. As the morning hours were turning into daylight, all were being released from the hospitals and arriving together at Mercy Medical for the Red Cross to offer certain immediate assistance.

Then a former home schooling family escorted the Becker family to their home to give them breakfast and some much-needed rest. Since the early morning hours of Sunday, July 8, 2007, the lives of the Becker Family have not been the same, along with various of their friends.

This site is dedicated to assisting them back to a normal life. If you can view the contents of this page and be so moved by God to give, please note it on the form at left. God Bless,