news-record.com

One young missionary from Christ United Methodist Church overcame her fear of heights while working on a roof as part of this summer’s Appalachia Service Project in Breathitt County, Ky. — because she was determined to help.

“Every year, I am completely awed by their courage, their selflessness and their energetic, gritty, relentless commitment to getting the work done,” said Pat Bowling, one of the adult volunteers.

Breathitt County is one of the poorest counties served by the Appalachia Service Project, a Christian service organization. The area has a poverty rate of 25 percent, and floods this year ravaged the area, damaging more than 600 homes and destroying 150, Bowling said.

Five youth teams participated from Christ UMC.

“They make the work that they did sound so easy — 'We pulled out moldy insulation,’ 'We set posts and put a beam in place for a carport.’ 'We replaced a kitchen floor,’” Bowling said. “I cannot even begin to describe for you how hard these kids worked under the blazing Kentucky sun.”

Here’s why they did it:

“ASP to me is rest and work at the same time. You are working for the Lord by repairing and restoring a house, and, at the same time, you are recharging your spiritual batteries by getting to know the family.”

— Tyson Batts, high school freshman

“I was helping a young couple who, no matter what happened or what life threw at them, they were so grateful and happy. Our main project was to help restore their kitchen, which the lady never felt she could use because of the state of it. When we were done, the smiles and the hugs she gave us were totally worth all of our effort. ASP showed me how to appreciate the little things I have and the joy of helping others. ”

— Ariel Forgette, high school freshman

“My team removed moldy insulation from the underside of a trailer and installed new insulation. We also helped another team set posts and put a beam in place for a carport roof over the trailer to prevent leaks. Even though the work under the trailer was dirty, we made it fun, and it became a bonding experience for our team. It was cool because we got a chance to work with a team from a church in Wisconsin and got to know them better. It was also awesome because we interacted with the family that lived in the trailer.

“We all realized how much we take for granted when one of the family members told us he had too much stuff, and he was in the process of getting rid of some things. When we look at how they live, we see poverty, and we wonder how anyone could live with so little. But they feel blessed with the things they have because it’s all they’ve ever known. Every time I go on ASP, I come home more grateful for the blessings God has given me.”

— Olivia Cochran, high school senior

“Last year the lady we were working for wrote me a message on my work boot. It said: 'I love you, but Jesus loves you more. I’m so happy you came into my life.’ I had only known her two days. That really touched me.”

— Nicky Bowling, high school junior

“I saw a whole new and different world, still in the same country. I not only became closer friends with my work group, but I also made a relationship with the family I worked for. They didn’t ask for anything extra, they were just grateful for what we were doing for them.”

— Shawn Millsap, high school sophomore

“I’ve met so many amazing people who have almost nothing, but yet they are the happiest people ever. One of my favorite parts of the trip is being able to sit down and form a relationship with the family whose house you’re working on. Seeing so many people doing God’s work has made me grow as a person and as a Christian.” 

— Julia Staley, high school junior

“My team built a back deck and finished a retaining wall. It was hard work but the homeowners at my site were always out there with us and talking to us. I loved getting to know the family and seeing how happy they were, even though they didn’t have that much. It made me realize how unimportant some of the things we have and take for granted are.”

— Margo Cochran, high school freshman

“I had the most wonderful family. They showed me that all you really do need is the ones you love in order to be happy. ASP was a really humbling experience. It showed me that you don’t need a lot of material things in life and to be grateful for what you have.”

— Katie Mahnken, high school freshman