St. Paul's in Kentucky

Monday, June 24, 2013

Final Thoughts

As I think about this week in Kentucky and contemplate about what we did, I realize how small and insignificant we are. Some of our frustrations with the week was that we accomplished very little; we couldn't fix the poverty we saw, some of the things we did seemed a waste of time. It is so easy for us to lose sight of God's greater plan. Yes, what we did may have been small, a drop in a bucket. But we need to trust in our big, loving God to take our small works, along with the many others, to accomplish His purpose for the people of that community. It is like the puzzle the kids worked on and were so proud to complete. One piece by itself is useless. But when all the pieces, properly put together, make a beautiful, intricate picture.

Lord, please take the small pieces of our labor this week and make a beautiful picture of your love for the Frakes community.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

Our final moments in pictures

Morgan, Zach, Kaatje and Kaylee with their finished puzzle

Our Final Sunrise

The mountains were so amazingly beautiful! As much as

we were ready to head home, a part of us wanted to stay!

It was a fun 12 hour ride home. We arrived at 6 p.m.

Saturday, June 22, 2013

We'll say it with photos...

Most of our group in front of Ben and Melissa's house on the final day.

Melissa is on the left with her three boys.

A magnificent view from Pinnacle Point in Cumberland National Park.

Zach taking a catnap. Using a pressure washer is hard work!

The hikers on the circular path.

Pastor Keith when we made it to the top of Pinnacle Lookout Point with the van.

Alleluia! Praise God I'm alive!

Happy anniversary, Diane! Keith

Morgan and Kaylee playing checkers at Cracker Barrel. Who's winning?

Views from Pinnacle Outlook. They were just amazing!

Hiking to Tri-State Point (where Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky meet).

However, we made a wrong turn and after a 40 minute walk it turned out that we just went in a big circle and ended up back at the parking lot. Thanks to Kaylee and Kaatje, however, for entertaining us with a beautiful rendition of "Colors of the Wind."

Closing worship at United Methodist Church in Frakes, Kentucky.

Cleaning up the camp workshop on our final morning.

Thursday, June 20, 2013

We've gone photo crazy!

Pastor Keith tempting Barb with a Snickers candy bar

A very proud Zach - he did a great job!

Zach and Pastor Keith working on the picnic table

Almost finished

Kaatje and Kaylee playing the with the rabbit and the girl next door

Lorene and Kaatje putting the finishing touches on the floor

Our group following morning devotions

Lorene leading us in "Joy, joy, joy, down in my heart"

Kaylee trying to get the last bit of candy bar from the wrapper

Thoughts on the Trip

If someone had told me 10 years ago that I would be on a mission trip with 9 wonderful people I would have laughed in their face. So here I am and humbled by the whole experience so far. it is hard to believe that such poverty can exist in a place with such beautiful scenery; and never again will I take for granted all that I have waiting for me back home. Barb Mills

This experience has been very.....interesting. In a good way. I have met new people and got to learn others better. I have learned a lot of new skills on this trip like how to put together a picnic table. This trip has made me realize how lucky I am. I was born into the middle class where I have everything I need. Seeing most houses around here has made me very thankful for what I have. I like this mission trip because I know I can help these less fortunate people. I hope to come on many more mission trips with the church and let other people have this realization also. -Kaylee Warner :)

When I was first introduced to the idea of going on a mission trip, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.... When I was told that it was going to be going into Kentucky I was expecting homes and families much similar to ours. That's not the case. What I have seen, isn't what I was exspecting to see in our country, the place where everyone is rich and the poverty rate isn't supposed to exist. This week has been a very fun and full of good times but yet it has been full of shock and sympathy, but everyone we have met seemed very happy to be in the position they are in, but I wonder if its because they don't know any better...? I have found that the people in my confirmation class are very fun and outgoing once you get to know them and i have met so many people that come from very different backgrounds and have experienced different things. But of course us still being teenagers we still have our moments... Like playing jello, singing on the top of our lungs to songs, and playing truck--all immature things, but still very fun and we can laugh about it later! This trip has opened my eyes to fact that I'm very lucky to have the things I do, even though we take advantage of them almost every day, but we still are very fortunate for them. I hope I will be able to come on more of these trips because I learned that I love to be able to help those with less than me. -Morgan Groeschl <3

When I first got here in I realized how lucky I am to have what I have. I'm glad I found out what some people in the world have to live their lives and how I can help those people. It is nice getting to know everyone more and being able to meet many more great people at this camp. I have learned how to make a picnic table and many other skills that will help me. So far it has been a great time in Kentucky. Zach Oelke

I agreed to go on this trip because I figured I had nothing better to do all summer. I just thought that I should get out of my house and accomplish something more than babysitting and hanging out with my friends. I did not realize what I was getting myself into. I have helped to paint a gazebo and build a table. I am not one to usually do a lot of work, and I was surprised at the sense of accomplishment I felt to have helped people who are less fortunate than I. The people here have so little, and I realized that I take for granted all of the things that I have. I feel so blessed to have the opportunity to help them. I am also glad to have met many wonderful people on this trip. These people are kind and funny, and I will have great memories of this trip because of them.
--Kaatje Weiland

Awesome! In a word! I continue to believe strongly in the loving work and activity of God in our lives. We started out as a very diverse group and we are so solid now. Mission trips test us in every way. We talked about our assumptions coming into the trip and how that has stood this weeks reality.
Our family has three boys from age 4 to 8. This family lives on $366.00 dollars per month. Food, utilities, gas and everything from this amount. Their lights come from grandma's trailer by drop cord. Their shower and sink water runs wild out the back into the gully. The fridge had a partial jar of salad dressing in it and the freezer had nothing in it, zero.
But, on the fridge were the usual pictures of family life, love and laughter. Father's Day was a few days ago and the boys each made their dad a card. They showed us! Their Headstart papers were all over the walls and cupboards.
In the midst of poverty there is love. I'm so overwhelmed by how hard many people in poverty have to work so much harder to achieve a sense of 'normal'. They make it work! They live their 'normal' life. It is different than mine. When I live in their world I have to live in their 'normal' life. My anxiety over their lifestyle is mine! My feelings of paternalistic control are mine! My desire to get in there and work my homemaker talents are mine. Most of the homework is mine!
God Bless them. Pastor Keith.