It's a Blessing to Be a Blessing

First, some photos from our trip up here that refused to upload last night...

Getting there is half the fun...


Hiking to the devotional/communion spot we found in Clear Creek Park...


Sharing our dreams for the week...



On the road again...


Yesterday - Monday - was a great first day. At first, we were all apprehensive about the fact that we were going to be divided up in different work groups. Our East Hillers were in pairs and assigned to other teams of 7-14 people. It's turned out to be an awesome experience. The people whose houses we are painting are so, so grateful for the assistance. Some are elderly and on fixed incomes and their homes haven't seen a fresh coat of paint for many, many years. Their stories and histories are all so different, but the bottom line is that what we are doing for them is more than paint deep.


And the same can be said for the impact they are having on us.




So many of them have said that they just can't believe hundreds of kids would give up a week of their summer to stand in the West Virginia heat with paint running down their arms to help out people they'll never see again. We, on the other hand, are amazed at the machine it takes to run a project like this. The city of Parkersburg donated $15,000 towards supplies, paint, etc. Panera Bread, Burger King, Papa John's Captain D's... the food has been great. Churches in the area host scads of kids for lunch each day in their fellowship halls as they are bussed over from nearby work sites. It's amazing and heartwarming!



Our East Hill kids.... Wow. Talk about second-milers. They work so hard, and yet still have so much enthusiasm and energy each night as they share the highs and lows of the day. We all meet for some group sharing time at around 10:30 PM, and each of us gives one high and one low of the day. Ben didn't have any lows and just gave two highs... and that sort of gave others permission to do the same. They are all so glad for the opportunity to participate in a service project that's not just contrived to give teenagers something to do with the moniker "Service Project" tacked on it to make it sound substantial. This is the real deal. No doubt about it.

Today - Tuesday - was more of the same. Hard work, appreciative recipients, a lot of sweat, and a lot of satisfied smiles.

This evening was the "Night on the Town" during which each group was supposed to go off campus to eat. We all wore our camp t-shirts and showed the city of Parkersburg how much we appreciate all that THEY do to make this happen by patronizing their businesses. A co-team leader of Janae and Brenda's recommended a place called Kokomos. He said if you have a group of six or more that they will pick you up in a limousine at no cost. Yep. No cost. Since there were definitely MORE than six of us, and the price range was right, how could we not go there?? :)

The restaurant was on the Ohio River, and we got to eat outside and watch the boats go by. The weather was gorgeous and the food really good.

It's been a great day.