Lower Mount Bethel Township, PA
— Today, a vital chapter in Northampton County’s disaster recovery efforts came to a close—and a new one began—as Rev. Gary Barraco of the Penn Northeast Conference Disaster Ministries and Rev. Paulette Obrecht of Lutheran Disaster Response–Eastern Pennsylvania presented final payments to Ryan Engler, owner of R.F.E. ENTERPRISE LLC, for the reconstruction of a private bridge damaged by flooding in July 2023.
The bridge, located off Little Creek Road in Lower Mount Bethel Township, Northampton County, PA, is the only access point for four residences. Severely damaged during a series of unnamed storms, the bridge was reconstructed and finished in Fall 2024 by Mr. Engler, who started construction without formal contracts or guarantees of payment, motivated by a commitment to community need.
After exhausting federal loan and grant options, the teams from Lutheran Disaster Response and the United Church of Christ Disaster Ministries—guided by its case manager—recognized the financial and spiritual burden on the survivors. Both teams submitted grant requests to their respective denominations to cover the remaining balance of the total project cost of $105,000.
The purpose of these grants is to restore safe, dependable access to the homes of four families. In total, more than eight people will benefit from rebuilding the bridge, including elderly residents, children, and caregivers, whose daily routines rely on this single-entry point. For the survivors, this grant represents not only financial relief but also a genuine step toward healing and stability.
The dedication of many individuals has shaped this project. Rev. Karl Jones, representing UCC Disaster Ministries, worked closely with Lutheran Disaster Response to recruit Rev. Paulette Obrecht as a UCC Partner in Service to lead case management. Although her formal service term has ended, Paulette continued to collaborate with all parties to ensure resolution. Julia Frank of Lutheran Disaster Response has been a consistent and valuable partner. Local leaders, including the Lower Mount Bethel Township Manager and Tom Guth of Northampton County Emergency Management, have also played key roles in supporting the project. At the core of it all is Ryan Engler, the contractor who took on the reconstruction without any guarantee of pay, driven by a spirit of service and trust.
In a heartfelt moment during the check presentation by Paulette and Gary, Mr. Engler announced that he would give back to the community by making additional enhancements to the bridge, turning a recovery effort into a story of renewal. “Ryan’s faith seemed to be revived and transformed,” said Gary Barraco, the new UCC Disaster Ministries leader in this region.
“This bridge is more than infrastructure—it’s a symbol of what happens when neighbors, faith communities, and local leaders come together,” he continued. “We’re not just rebuilding access. We’re restoring hope.”
About UCC Disaster Ministries – The United Church of Christ Disaster Ministries supports communities in times of crisis through coordinated relief, recovery, and resilience-building efforts rooted in faith and compassion.
About Lutheran Disaster Response–Eastern Pennsylvania – Lutheran Disaster Response–EPS provides long-term recovery assistance and disaster preparedness resources to individuals and communities affected by natural and human-caused disasters, and is a ministry of Lutheran Congregational Services and Liberty Lutheran.