This is the news from Summers County — an Appalachia Service Project mission experience! Now you can log on to the ASP web site – http://asphome.org/group/summers-county-wv – and look for the news from Summers County, including details about the homeowner families. Photos included!
More Than A House: Day One
Our small team arrived this afternoon, joining two large teams here in Summers County, West Virginia. We are a team of fifteen, including seven youth — Clare, Layne, Wade, Natalia, Sean, Katie, and Elena — and eight adults — Herb, Emma, Irene, Geraldine, Randy, Danny, Mike, and me.
We met our staff — another classy bunch of hard-working, well-organized college students. These five young adults give up a summer for a meager stipend and uncomfortable sleeping quarters to make a difference in the lives of the families in this county.
Tonight, after the normal get-to-know exercises, and various versions of “let’s make the rules fun,” we were assigned our three work sites and families. We formed our work crews – tentatively — designed to fit each site. Our crew leaders and a youth from each crew were taken on a tour of our sites. The tour helps the crew leader learn what kinds of tools and materials will be needed at each site tomorrow. They also were able to meet each family.
At 7 AM tomorrow, the boom box will blast a wake up tune. By then, though – hopefully– anyone seeking a moment of quiet, cool air will already have been up for an hour or so, and already consumed several cups of coffee. Those quiet, cool mornings are a sane respite before the tough, hot sweaty day begins.
Another post tomorrow!
– Jeff from Summers County, West Virginia: July 18, 2010
More Than A House: Day Two
Today we worked all day – even in the rain! — at our sites. Some us slipped and sloshed in mud while trying to dig holes for footers, or ditches for foundations. Others scrambled to find a dry place in the yard to finish painting siding. The best news is we met our families. These folks open their lives to teams of ASP volunteers all summer. Of course, the result is good news for their house and home!
Everyone managed to finish the work day with enthusiasm, and safety. After the hot, dirty work, we welcomed our showers before supper.
After supper we enjoyed the “cultural” experience of an authentic West Virginia singer/storyteller. His passion for his home and his talent were delightful. I had my ears pinned back when I learned I have been pronouncing “Appalachia” incorrectly. Not AppaLACIA (with a long a), but AppaLACHia (with a short a, and a distinct CH sound). Sorry folks.
After the program we enjoyed a team excursion to Dairy Queen — paid for by a generous friend at Brosville UMC. Thanks!
Tonight we will sleep much more soundly…because we are tired to the bone, and because we know how to pronounce AppaLACHia.
– Jeff from Summers County, West Virginia: July 19, 2010
More Than A House: Day Three
She could not sit still. She is retirement age, but retirement is not her nature. She lost her husband years ago after he suffered a serious stroke. She has been living in her house alone on that mountain ever since.
She couldn”t just sit there and watch as the rest of us worked on her house. She loved her house and her mountain. Her son lives down the lane. Together they work the gardens and do their best to maintain their property. But times have been tough. They were never a family with great means, but lately it has been especially difficult for them to scrape up extra money to buy materials for the basic repairs needed on her house.
We are replacing her heat and air duct work under the house, and covering her exterior with a new siding. Hopefully this winter, her house will be warm, and her electric bill low. Perhaps this winter her house will feel like a home. To her, though, I guess it has always been home — now it will be just a bit safer and warmer.
I spent most of my day under the house hauling old, wet, dusty duct work and insulation out from the crawl space. Dirty, dark, and a bit creepy! I found grimy things in my ears and nose later that I didn’t recognize. I was a bit surprised it all could fit in there. Not a glamorous assignment.
But she could not sit and watch as the rest of us worked. That’s not her nature. She has always worked hard and done what she could. Today would be no different. When we arrived this morning she greeted us in front of her porch as she always does. With a big smile oozing with confidence, she announced that she will help paint today. And she did! With poise revealing her comfort with hard work, she took charge of the paint operation. All day, she was there beside us working — leading the other painters most of the time! With a “sweat equity” attitude reminiscent of Habitat For Humanity’s popular approach, she participated in the work. We all enjoyed a bit more of God’s grace today.
This evening for our large group gathering after supper, one of the college-aged staffers shared her journey toward ASP. She described her transformation from a young person seeking the thrill of a mission trip away from home (like her big brother always did), into a young person filled with God’s wisdom about what it really means to serve God — even under a house.
All of us are safe, very well fed, a bit tired and dirty… and perhaps, slowly, we are being transformed.
– Jeff from Summers County, West Virginia: July 20, 2010
More Than A House: Day Fourth
We feel the pressure now. Two work days remain. Will we complete the work assigned to us? Will we complete the work we want to accomplish? Will we make a difference for the families? Will our work here have meaning?
Now, we are getting attached to the homeowner families. They are becoming friends, partners in the work. So, it matters to us that we make a difference. During our evening gathering one of the staffers (these are amazing young adult leaders!) reminded us that we (most of us) were born with resources. ”So,” she encouraged, “go home and use it to make a difference there. What a waste if what you have experienced here remains here.“
Will we make a meaningful difference here…there?
We are also getting attached to each other. Our youth are beginning to mix with youth from other churches. Our adults, too! The children will lead us. Our crews — for Brosville, three small crews of five — seem to be bonding. There’s nothing like a few days of hard work to pull a group together.
There is a small Veteran’s Museum very near our ASP Center. The owner opens the museum especially for ASP volunteers one evening during the week. Many of our volunteers are there now. Others crossed the river to the Dairy Queen, or walked a few block to a soda fountain. Some are relaxing at The Center enjoy good conversation.
All of us are safe, and all of us will sleep well tonight!
– Jeff from Summers County, West Virginia: July 21, 2010
More Than A House: Day Five
Be sure to log on to: http://asphome.org/group/summers-county-wv to see details about our progress in Summers County!
Another great day today — lots of progress, and everybody is safe and healthy. Tonight we enjoyed the traditional ASP Thursday picnic with several of our homeowner families attending. Lots of food and fun!
Tomorrow is our last work day. We will surely sleep well. Sorry for the short post — battery is low! Log on to the site above for special information about our Center, Summers County, and our families!
Thanks for your support!
– Jeff from Summers County, West Virginia: July 22, 2010
More Than A House: Day Six
Our last day has been quite a mix of exhaustion, urgency about completing our projects, and the tug we now feel about our families.
Another tradition for ASP is to gather on our last night to share about our experience doing house repairs, serving the families, and working together as crews and church teams. Several folks also shared about their experience meeting and working with groups from other churches, from other parts of the country.
Some of the youth and adults shared about how important is was to make a difference for the family. Some talked about how important it was to “get out of my comfort zone.”
We talked a lot this week about how taking the meaning of this week with ASP home with us. Somehow, some way, our experience as the flesh of God’s love must be transported home, to our everyday, routine lives. There, we will continue to be transformed, and continue to be agents of transformation for others. At home. From ASP in Summers County to home. From mission to flesh.
We leave early tomorrow. We have about four hours of traveling to reflect, and take naps (not the driver!). We should arrive home (to the church parking lot) by early afternoon.
Thanks again for your support.
– Jeff from Summers County, West Virginia: July 23, 2010
More Than A House: Day Seven
We are home…tired, sore. And wondering…what happened? What now….? What if…? Hmmm.
– Jeff from Summers County, West Virginia: July 24, 2010
