news-record.com

A little scared, but at the same time pumped, the youth of First Lutheran Church honestly didn't know what to expect of their mission assignment in Sevierville, Tenn., with the organization TEAMeffort. The assignment: re-build the deck of a home and start on a shed/workshop for "Mr. Carl," an older man who lived alone and had survived a massive stroke and numerous heart attacks. It would be as important to spend time with Carl Loveday, they found, as it was to help him with his physical needs:

"This was my first mission trip with my youth group and I didn't know what to expect. I was hoping that it wouldn't be too difficult and I would learn a lot from it. What I experienced this week is something I can't experience anywhere else. The biggest thing I got out of this was the lifestyle of the man we helped. His name was Carl and he has lived a rough life. He is a very strong person to be able to still walk. I personally talked to him a lot and learned so much. He shared things with me he loved but had to let go of due to his heath issues. He loved hands-on work and since he can no longer use one of his arms, it made it hard for him to watch us do all this amazing construction. I'm so glad I got to be a part of Carl's life and I hope I can help many more people and give them hope."
- Jessica Lyerly, a high school freshman

"The first day at TEAMeffort we met Joe, our team leader. He is so awesome! He took us to Carl's trailer and basically told us we had to build a deck and a shed with no instructions. At Carl's trailer we were told to take down a previously made deck by an earlier mission group that wasn't up to standards. Joe gave us crowbars and hammers and told us to take the deck apart. Eventually we figured out how to accomplish the task using team work."
- Elizabeth Cranford, high school freshman

"At the TEAMeffort retreat site, we had nightly worship where we would play games, sing songs, and become closer to God. I felt the same connection with God on the worksite as I did in the nightly service. Even though we weren't in a church, I sensed God's presence with the group. So overall, I think I learned that God will meet you anywhere and everywhere."
- Morgan Herman, high school freshman

"When the deck was completely finished and Carl was sitting on his new deck, he made the comment that he thought there weren't anymore good people left in this world - especially young people. He also said that we had given him hope. It was really amazing to know that we had been able to show him through the work we had done, that there still are really good young people left in the world. It amazed me to know that with only three days of work we could do so much to help someone. This experience gave me a new look on what I do because now I know that even small things can make a big difference on someone's life. I hope that I will be able to do more mission trips and help even more people.
- Sarah Harmon, high school freshman

"In Tennessee I helped build a deck for Carl. The group before us had already built the deck and had dug the post holes and put them in the ground. Unfortunately though, the posts were unstable and uneven. So we had to take out the posts, re-dig the post holes, put the posts in perfect lines and put cement around them so that they would be sturdy. In this process, Carl watched us from his door. He kept watching and waiting for his very own perfect deck to be built. When we had only two board left to add to the decking, Carl opened his door and said he thought he could make it across the gap. So we put a chair up on his almost complete deck and he stepped onto it. The smile on his face was something I'll never forget. As we added the last two boards, we looked over at Carl and saw his humble delight. Carl was so grateful and he made all of us feel so happy. For a man who was used to helping others most of his life, he now could be helped by others."
- Ryanne Brown, high school freshman

"This mission trip was a very eye opening experience. The most eye-opening part of this mission trip was when we first arrived to our work site. There stood a very poorly half built deck. We realized that there would be no way to build on it and we would have to totally rebuild it. As we took apart the deck, re-dug the holes, and rebuilt it, our group had revelation. We realized we could have good intentions but if we were careless and cut corner it could end up with poor results. Having to take apart someone else's hard work made us really appreciate the hard intentional work and care that we put into rebuilding the deck. This goal of building it right, brought our group closer together and helped us to realize our potential. Each person gave it their best and offered their God-given gifts to help complete a sturdy 8' x 10' deck ."
- Kristin Miller, high school junior

"It was hot at our building site. On the second and third day, I prayed for some clouds to cover up the sun in our opening prayer. I asked at least a little while God to make our work cooler by providing clouds us. Soon after we began our work, I noticed that our morning blue sky was covering up with thin clouds! Everyone was amazed including me. I also enjoyed listening to Mr. Carl. He told me that he had been an auto mechanic and had lived in Sevierville for over 25 years. I really enjoyed getting to know Mr. Carl and building the shed for him."
- Ian McPeeters, high school freshman

"When we arrived on the work site at Mr. Carl's house the deck was half built but done poorly. We had to take it apart and restart. At first I dug holes to earn my 'PHD' or Post Hole Digger, and the second day we set the posts in concrete. By the third day we finished the deck part. When we had two more boards to put on the top of the deck, Carl said I think I can make it. He really wanted to walk on a sturdy deck. I could see that he really appreciated his new deck. Next week a handicap/ wheelchair ramp is to be built for his electric wheel chair."
- Zack Ebert, high school freshman

"This past week we had an amazing opportunity to help out Mr. Carl. I was part of the shed crew. As we talked to Mr. Carl, we learned how much this shed will mean to him. He used to own an auto repair shop before he was sick. When Mr. Carl became ill, he lost everything he owned except his trailer. He told us that he always hoped he would have another shop. And that is what we helped give him. In the time I had to talk to him, he let me know how thankful he was. This past week was so amazing."
- Janie Lyerly, high school sophomore

"During our work days at Team Effort I really saw God with us. We had to build a deck. The first team that was there before us did a bad job and we had to fix it. The person that we built the deck for was Carl. It took us three days to build it and when it was finished, Carl walked out and sat down on the porch for about an hour. One his face was an ear to ear smile. I saw God in Carl and I was so glad to see this man that didn't have any hope and was amazed to see how there still are good people left in the world."
- Patrick Riley, middle school eighth grader

"My experience this week was great. I saw many cool people who had smiles on their faces because they knew they were here to help out people who needed to see Gods love. It was really fun building a shed for Mr. Carl. He was so happy when we finished the foundation and floor. Joe, our leader, was cool too. Later, we spent time with our group tubing and white water rafting. This trip was an all around fun trip."
- Avery Ebert, eighth grader, middle school eighth grader

"While we were in Tennessee we had daily worship services. TEAMeffort leaders would speak each night about a personal experience and reflect on the story of The Woman at the Well. On the fourth night a leader named Tyler spoke. Throughout his talk certain things caught my attention. One was a metaphor comparing a salt shaker to a church and how a church should reach out and affect others by showing God's love. The salt shaker itself is the church and the salt inside is the people involved with the church. Just like salt in a shaker, it doesn't do any good to keep it in the container. Also, just as salt enhances a foods' flavor, Christians should flavor the world with God's unconditional love and acceptance. This comparison made me understand the reason of our trip."
- Katie Bess Hilbinger, high school sophomore