Tassie rural chaplain ‘changed our world’, says grateful couple

Stephen Schlenk covers Tasmania as a Salvation Army rural chaplain.

 BY LAUREN MARTIN

When Salvation Army rural chaplain Stephen Schlenk met Michelle and her partner Garry at their rural property in Tasmania, they were living in a two-car tin shed with no running water and a small generator for electricity.

Michelle suffers from serious mental health issues, and her partner’s dream of building them a home on the property had stalled because of unexpected compliance costs.

“Our world changed,” said Michelle when she remembers meeting Stephen. “He was so easy to talk to, and to tell him everything. And he helped us so much.”

Stephen remembers that the first thing he was able to do for the couple was to help them install solar panels on their shed so they could have power 24/7.

“They had been switching on their generator during the day to keep the fridge running but had to turn it off at night to conserve fuel,” he said.

From the small settlement Michelle’s partner received from his previous marriage, Garry had purchased a shed-house to build as their new home on the property. However, after the slab was poured, the local council intervened and issued a ‘stop work’ order on the building, saying that the project required architectural drawings, engineering reports and a qualified builder to sign off on it.

Michelle and Garry were devastated. They simply didn’t have the funds. Michelle truly believed they would be living in the two-car tin shed for the rest of their lives, and her mental health began to deteriorate.

She said Stephen’s prayers kept her going: “When he used to pray, it was just like, I felt so different, and so calm, and it was just wonderful.”

“I contacted an architect friend and an engineer friend who both agreed to do what was needed at no cost,” said Stephen. A builder also helped out. The council signed off on the plans, and Michelle and Garry’s dream was back on track!

“Then the unthinkable happened,” said Stephen. “Garry had a heart attack and was put into hospital and had surgery to repair his heart. Everything was put on hold, and I could see that they were at a point of, ‘What next?’”

Again, Stephen not only provided chaplaincy support, prayer and Salvation Army assistance with food and petrol vouchers, but he also used his extensive networks to organise the practical help that Michelle and Garry needed.

“He knew people, like a Men’s Shed,” said Michelle. “They all got together and volunteered and did the insides for our house. Stephen brought food for a barbeque and everything – it was beautiful.”

Direction Tas, a Christian Men’s Group that Salvation Army Tasmanian rural chaplain Stephen Schlenk is involved with, dedicated several days of labour and generously donated floor coverings for Michelle and Garry’s home.

The group was actually a Christian men’s group called ‘Direction Tas’. As well as helping to fit out the inside of the house, they also blessed the couple by contributing funds to pay for the carpet and floor coverings throughout the home. Two weeks after their first visit, they were back on site to do the insulation, and then a local plumber and electrician offered their services for next to nothing, as well.

“This has not only been a blessing to Michelle and Garry in that their home is almost built, but that they have had a group of men [from the Men’s Shed] doing church around them, blessing them and showing unconditional love.”

Speaking from her new home, Michelle said she still has her ‘ups and downs’ with regard to her mental health, but she is in a much healthier place since she first met Stephen. Garry has recovered from his heart surgery, and the couple and their dogs are enjoying their home. 

“I love the quietness here; there are no houses around,” said Michelle. “It’s wonderful.”

They don’t see Stephen as often now, but he still checks in with them, and they know he’s only a phone call away for a chat and a prayer.

“This has not only been an incredible journey for Michelle and Garry but also for me and the many helpers, as we have opened our hearts to loving people that needed love,” Stephen said.