YOUTH MISSION TRIP

Faith Stories from JKPC’s Mt. T.O.P. Mission Team…

On our first day, we were sent to a family in Jamestown, Tennessee. This family needed a roof over their porch. As the day progresses my YRG (Youth Renewal Group—5 to 6 youngsters and an adult advisor) became closer until we finished the project. The second day marked the beginning of our two-day project. We worked for a lady named Sarah who had lived in her house for 47 years. We built her a 17-foot wheelchair ramp. Our YRG also became closer and our friendships got stronger. The fourth day was the best. We worked for a lady named Rosemary whose family helped us paint her trailer. After a while, it became apparent that having someone to talk to was as important as the painting we were doing. On the last day, we had a half-day project. We painted and finished that project. It also became apparent that our YRG had become much closer. It was hard to believe that we had become such close friends in a week’s time.

I went to a house on Monday with my new group (Youth Renewal Group). Our project was to deconstruct an old shed. Our group met the family, and the mother was a kind and shy lady. Her son, Kyle, was enthusiastic about us working and smiled every time he saw our faces. We deconstructed the whole shed and the family treated us to hamburgers. On the second day we were sent on our 2-day project which involved building a porch. The man we were doing the work for was elderly and in a wheelchair. He would come to the door and check up on us. We were fortunate those two days to have a large tree shading us from the sun and rain. On the fourth day, we got lost on our way to the site. When we arrived there, the people had just gotten back from the bank and asked us to leave. We went next door and painted the porch of an elderly man. We finished painting most of the porch with his help. On the last day, we were sent to clean the house of an elderly woman. We didn’t have as much work to do as we did on the other days, so we decided we would leave early. When we started to leave, she cried. So, we came back into her house and shared our lunch with her.

On the first day, we were supposed to deconstruct a porch, but the family wasn’t home. So, we went and washed windows for an elderly couple. We didn’t have much of a chance to visit with that family. On the second day, we started our 2-day project. We were working for a lady and her mom who was a sweet lady. We built a chicken coop. The second day it was pouring down rain and muddy but totally worth it. On the fourth day we went to an elderly couple’s home. They were talkative and very sweet. We did yard work for them. That was probably one of my favorite days! On our last day, we washed an elderly man’s house and visited with him.

On the first day, we did yard work for an elderly woman named Mrs. Wilson. It was our first day together as a Youth Renewal Group. We found out whom we worked well with and started to bond as a team. Our work consisted of weed-eating and pruning. The major need was social because Mrs. Wilson lived alone. She cooked us a nice country meal, too. On the second day, we started our 2-day project. We were working for a middle-aged family with children. Our project involved building a shed. This was a great family. They were so nice and friendly. They had chicken and sheep and really needed a shed. A man named Uncle George was a big part of this with his guitar, chickens, and warm welcome. On the fourth day we tarred a roof. Mrs. Maddi really needed this because her roof was in such bad condition. We also worked on the social part of our ministry. She was a nice lady who was open to us and our work. On the last day, we worked for Mr. and Mrs. Thomas. We painted their house, but our work was more social in nature because they were so lonely. We planted cucumbers for them. They were a great family and really appreciated our work.

On the first day, we worked for a middle-aged widow. I was disappointed when she left and we had to quit working, but we did get a lot done. On Tuesday and Wednesday, I was my YRG’s tool coordinator. That meant I had to get up at 6 AM to get our group’s tools. We built a porch for a middle-aged widow. That was our 2-day project, but we didn’t get done because of the rain. I spent time playing with the little boy and girl across the street. I asked the little girl what she wanted to be when she grew up. She told me that she would never amount to anything. I told her that she was wrong and that God had made her for a special purpose. Smiling shyly, she said, “I want to be like you when I grow up.” That really touched my heart. On Thursday, we painted a house. The widow we worked for was so happy about that that she made us a fruitcake. On Friday, we did yard work for a 70-year old widow. As she told me the story of her first husband’s death, her second husband’s death, and finally her grandson’s death, I felt inspired to read Romans 8 to her so that she could know that nothing could separate her from Christ’s love. Her face lit up and when we left, she hugged me and thanked me for giving her hope.

When I first heard that we were going to Mt. T.O.P., I had low expectations. The last thing I wanted to do was to spend a whole week of my summer in Tennessee building wheelchair ramps for poor families. Then I met one—Kay Abingnal. My YRG was sent to paint her and her husband’s house. The first thing she said when we pulled up was, “I’m so glad that you’re here. There are snacks in the kitchen and drinks in the fridge if you’re hungry. The bathroom is in the back of the house if you need to use it. Just make yourself at home.” We all piled into her tiny kitchen, and she proceeded to tell us everything about herself. The she asked us to tell her a little about ourselves. I commented on her large teapot collection and told her how my mom liked tea. Because she was so kind, she gave me a teapot to give to my mom. I hope to go back next year and tell her how much my mom liked the teapot she gave me.

Mt. T.O.P. was a great experience for me. The people we worked with really needed our help. Also, they just wanted to talk to us. This wonderful lady, on the last day, brought us snacks, pop, and made strawberry cake for us. She even let us inside to eat. I saw God in her.

Like all great faith stories, there is more to say and more stories to tell than time and space allow at a particular time. But those great faith stories are like seeds that God plants in our lives and churches. With God’s help and our efforts, those seeds become beautiful flowering plants and trees filled with fruit. Those images are pictures of God’s unending love for us and all of God’s people. I invite you to speak with all of the members of JKPC’s Mt. T.O.P. Mission Team and hear for yourselves those life-changing stories. Finally, consider what you might do to become our partners in next year’s mission trip to Tennessee. God bless each of you who helped make this year’s trip possible.

Pastor Steve