Halfway There

We’re past the halfway point. 3 workdays down, 3 days until we come home. What a week it already has been!

It was a very busy day on all of our projects. We were able to finish one project at a family’s home. We repaired the ceilings and walls in the living room and master bedroom, and patched leaks in the roof. We are hoping to be able to do extra work on the project on Friday! The other projects are nearing completion and everyone is working hard to make that happen. They’re putting finishing touches on drywall and additions to get ready to prime and paint.

Last night we were challenged to watch for Jesus through the humility and service of teammates. The squad in the picture below has decided to not take the day off tomorrow in order to get more work done on their family's home. Why? Because they love this family with the love of Jesus and want to serve them as best as they possibly can.

 

"in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests" (Philippians 2:3-4).

When there's a box, climb in it :)



As we wait for drywall to be measured and cut or for paint to dry, the team has been getting creative with downtime. Some students grabbed the kids of the families whose homes we’re working on to play games, to talk to them and love and care for these sweet children. Others worked alongside the kids, painting and cleaning. 

The depths of the relationships the team has already built with these families became evident tonight when we went to church at Fountain of Life. As the families we’re serving entered, one by one, their children found various students from our church and sat with them. During the worship service one little girl, 6 years old, sat with Lydia & Maddie. There was a time where they opened the front to anyone who wanted to come forward to pray. This little girl turned to Lydia & Maddie and said, “Well, are we going up front?” So together they did just that.

Here they are.

Brooke & Jessica with a young girl from the family they're serving  

Words fail to describe the beauty of God’s presence during the service and throughout this week. Tonight was special. As a community of people who love Jesus from West Virginia and Pennsylvania, we united to praise God and come before Him in prayer. Thank you for your prayers for us. Thank you for your support that got your kids on this trip. We are only brushing the surface of understanding how God will use this trip to change the lives of your kids, of this team, and these families. 

In Christ,

Appalachia Mission Team