LITTLE ROCK — At first glance, the scene took on the look of a carnival, perhaps, with food tents and concession trailers set up in one spot and recreational vehicles set up along a tree line. Or perhaps it could have been a movie being filmed on location.

But after visiting with some folks in the crowd that had gathered, it was apparent that many considered the events that unfolded on Aug. 14 another "Job's Miracle."

Earlier in the day, 10-yearold Job McCully of Bigelow and his family -parents Rob and Tina and 13-year-old sister, Nicole - heard the sound of a bull horn and the "wakeup" call from Ty Pennington, team leader of Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, announcing that the McCully Family had been chosen as the next recipient of a "home makeover" from the ABC-TV reality show.

Job and his family have been living in a house not suitable for him, given his medical problems. Job was diagnosed with leukemia when he as 4. Since then, he has had a bone marrow transplant and a double-lung transplant. He has spent years in and out of hospitals, both in Little Rock and in St. Louis, and was finally released in March after being hospitalized for a whole year, only to have to return recently for treatments for a viral infection, cytomegalovirus. When he returned home to Bigelow, he could not stay in the family's house, which was full of mold and other bacteria. (Johnson Brothers Construction of Bigelow donated a rental house for the family's use during the past few months.)

Now, thanks to the TV show and thousands of local volunteers, builders and designers, the McCullys' house will be replaced with one that will provide a safe and healthy environment for Job and his family.

Following the wake-up call, the McCully family met the builder, Jack Wilson, founder and owner of Woodhaven Homes Inc. in Sherwood, and early filming for the TV show was under way. While all of this took place at the McCully home on a hill atop Lanning Loop in the Perry County, others waited below hoping for a glimpse of the family before they were swept off to Santa Barbara, Calif., where they were to remain until Thursday, when they were scheduled to return to their new home. The "reveal" party was to be held from 2-4 p.m., provided everything was finished. (For more information on the building site and schedule, as well as alist of participating partners, visit the Web site www.thehousejack built.com.)

Members of the Morrilton Housing Authority staff were on hand to do whatever needrd to be done Aug. 14 following the selection of the McCully family. Morrilton Housing Authority Director Richard Upton said his staff provided passenger vans, golf carts, foggers, lights and "a great spirit." "It's our job to help people with housing," he said. "We're here, 24/7, as just one small cog of the wheel."

Many volunteers gathered at the "staging area," which was set up on land belonging to neighbors, Larry and Dana Baker, to do whatever needed to be done. Dana Baker said they "were glad to be able to help.

"We can't do enough for Job, Rob, Tina and Nicole," she said.

"We're looking forward to having Job home again," Baker said. "They say 'you can't go home again,' but we know Job is coming back home."

Among others gathered at the site was a group of friends who have been instrumental in raising funds for the McCully Family to help with medical bills.Wearing T-shirts with the words "Job's Miracle" emblazoned on them, they took time to visit with those around them.

"We love the McCullys," said Diane Gottsponer, who noted they are all personal friends of the family as well as fellow worshippers at Bigelow Assembly of God.

"We've prayed (for them) all night, many nights," said Sarah Hargrove.

The group has sponsored dinners and concerts as well as a "Polar Plunge" in the middle of winter. All proceeds have been given to the family to help with its bills. The group sponsored a "homecoming parade" for Job, which was led by members of the motorcycle group, Arkansas Bikers Aiming Towards Education (ABATE) 26 of Perryville.

"We knew what we had to have each month, and at the end of that month, we would have just exactly what we needed," said Taneau Lipsmeyer. "We considered that another miracle as well."

Florence Rappold said, "At first we came together because we feared Job's death. Now we come together for the hope of Job's life."

Hargrove said, "This hasbrought us closer together. This has changed people's lives."

"It's just part of 'Job's Miracle,'" Gottsponer said, agreeing with another member of the group who explained Job has overcome many medical conditions, each one life-threatening. "He's come through them all," Gottsponer added. "It's 'Job's Miracle.'"

The group of friends was largely responsible for nominating the McCully Family for the home makeover show. They prepared and submitted videos and encouraged people to submit handwritten post cards on behalf of the family. "One of the (TV) crew members said we closed down their mailroom with post cards," Gottsponer said with a smile.

"We do anything that we need to do," said Laura Stevens.

Gottsponer said she and the others believe it's another miracle that Job and his family were selected for the home makeover.

Other members of the core group of fundraisers include Gale Holbrook, Tim Metcalf and Melinda Haynes. They call Metcalf the "prayer warrior," as he leads most of the prayer sessions.

Producers for Extreme Makeover: Home Edition said the show featuring the McCully Family is set for sometime this fall. They gave no specific date, saying only, "Check your local listings." The reality show is broadcast on the ABC television network.

River Valley Ozark, Pages 157 on 08/24/2008