Alex Paul
Floid McMahon admits he is a “rolling stone”, born 66 years ago in Milltown, Ireland but emigrating to the United State in 1952 at the age of 12 “to escape poverty.”
He has traveled his adopted land from shore to shore, for the last 15 months calling East Linn county home.
But, McMahon quickly says of his travels, it is the Lord who determines his next stop.
A tool and die maker by trade, McMahon spent last week exercising another talent, painting, contracted with the Sweet Home Beautification Committee to paint a mountain landscape mural on windows of the former White’ Furniture building on Main Street.
He is working with his daughter, Mary, 24, an ordained preacher, who is conducting weekly Bible studies at the Fir Lawn Lutheran Church a part of her ministry.
“We’re not here for the money,” said the elder McMahon stroking a long gray beard. “We want to help people in need. We don’t take money for our ministry. We work and pay as we go.”
McMahon didn’t marry until he was 40 but he and hi wife, Sara, made up for lost time, parenting eight now grown children. Four of his daughters, December Eve, 25, Mary Ruth, 24, Autumn Rose, 20, and Joshua Reul, 19, are involved in mission work.
A short time spent in a Swiss art school quickly taught McMahon he wasn’t meant for a structured life but training at a “painting factory” in Holland, where he turned out eight to ten pieces each day, was good ground work for future jobs.
“I love portrait work,” McMahon aid. “I like the complexity of the human face, how it changes from a frown to a smile. There’s a beauty in the whole process.”
His daughter call herself a “painter’s helper” who enjoys learning new techniques from her father.
“The Lord spoke to me and told me to go to Oregon,” she said. “I didn’t know there was a Sweet Home before that.”
The McMahons spent several months helping at the Mountain House and held church services there since November.
Both McMahons say it’s important for them to build relationships in order for them to fulfill their ministries.
“What can I do for you?” is what we ask,” Mary said. “We can’t just evangelize.”
The younger McMahon spent several years in Pennsylvania and her teen years in Tennessee. Her father said he traveled to Oregon several times over the years, including to the Parkdale area near Portland and Tillamook.
“Oregon has always fascinated me,” he said, taking a break from his mural work. “There’s a real spirit to the place.”
His daughter concurs, adding, “There’s nothing bland about Oregon. There’s such a versatility o f the land that amazes me.”
Although she’s only 24 years of age, Mary says she knows her life’s path, “I will be an evangelist and do mission work until God calls me home.”
The McMahons said they enjoy witnessing to those who stop and talk to them about the mural.
“This community is beautiful,” Floid said. “Everyone has been more than cordial to us. At Umpqua Bank, they know you and care about you.”
Both McMahons say they are concerned with conventional churches that cater only to the spiritual needs of those within their walls.
“Churches should be missions and look outside their walls,” Mary said.
The McMahons believe God has a purpose for them being in Sweet Home. “I see a great need here,” Floid said.
“I think the churches need to band together to get work done as a team,” Mary said. “It’s not a competition and church is not a business.”