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Ed Busher
Hatteberg's People
Reporter: Larry Hatteberg
| December 7, 2003--Ed Busher has a ministry. But it doesn’t come from upscale mega-million dollar churches. He works where many of us don’t go. With folks down on their luck --- with folks who just need shelter…and a break. |
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“It was very bad, it was condemned. It wasn’t decent enough for people to live in.”
South Broadway has always had a reputation. The Elm’s Motel contributed to it. Druggies and prostitutes used to call it home. That’s before Ed Busher bought it and began making changes.
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“As you can see, there is
plenty of work to do.”
Busher began to rebuild – with second-hand lumber and damaged goods
bought at a bargain; the old motel is beginning a new life for low-income
residents. |
| “This is called reclaiming the land for the Lord and helping the people who fall through the cracks. These were…you could walk across the floor and bounce like you were on a trampoline almost. The windows were just unbelievably bad. |
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This was a door that was in an office. We cut it down and made it fit and then built a closet so people could have a place to store their clothes. You ever just enjoy helping somebody. You just get ‘good’ out of it. My prayer is ‘Use me today Jesus’.”
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This is just one of four properties Busher owns. He’s trying to finish them as fast as possible, but even though he buys bargain basement goods --- he can’t keep up with the need.
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“There’s a lot of good people just down on their luck and I can’t help them. That hurts.”
Last month, it was Busher who ran into bad luck. A fire burned one of his apartment homes, displacing six of his families who he relocated. Despite the fire, the tenants love him. |
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Just listen to how they talk about him ---
“He gives money out of his own pocket. He goes home with empty pockets at times to help us.”
Sometimes, as Busher surveys his properties, he just shakes his head, frustrated that he can’t do more.
“I’ve got a story behind each one of my tenants that some are paying, some are not. But we get so wrapped up in our own little personal life that we forget to share.”
North of the Elms Motel is the Royal Apartments ---- another one of Busher’s properties.
“Where someone comes here, they are totally impressed from what it was to what it is.”
Here, rooms that were unfit and filthy are now giving hope to those who need it.
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Inside the rooms, he’s proud to show what’s been done with little money but a lot of hard work.
“This is old fencing that Payless throwed away because the boards were all split.
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And we rip them all up and that’s how we do all of our trim. We want it to be warm….see the flowers there….when people come in…it’s just comfortable.”
For those who rely on him, Ed Busher is a South Broadway Beacon – A man of strong faith who has to make a buck…but not at the expense of his tenants. He says he does it for one reason---
“Joy…(laugh) again…it’s the best part of the day.”
“No end to the work. Thank God. I love it.”
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| Larry Note: Ed Busher credits good friends who believe in his work and his religious faith for helping him each day. If you would like to contact Mr.
Busher, he can be reached at 316 461-4935 |
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