St. Pauls Youth Mission Trip 2013 Appalachia Service Project

Trip Theme: Radical Reversal “Whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant;

whoever wishes to be first among you must be servant of all.” Mark 10:43-44

24 of our youth and 10 adult leaders spent a week working among the poor in Scott County, Tennessee making homes warmer, safer and dryer. Five work crews spent five days working on five different homes and getting to know the families they worked for.

Here’s what they did:

RED TEAM Project: Put new flooring in a bathroom and bedroom, including joists,

girders, sub-floor and plumbing work.

Leaders: Greg Basil & Ann Kuhlman

Youth: Alex Hansen, McKenzie Liebergen, Chandler McCroskey, Lauren Richardson & Maia Sanders

BLUE TEAM

Project: Replaced a tin roof; replaced and insulated bathroom, bedroom and foyer ceilings; stained and painted 2 porches.

Leaders: David Burnett & Lydia Richardson

Youth: Adam Bienek, Alice Higginbotham, Katie Moulton, Cameron Roehm & Livia Sanders

GREEN TEAM Project: Installed and insulated a laminate living room floor, painting base board and trim.

Leaders: Lois Basil & Leon Richardson

Youth: David Berghoff, Jack Davis, Seth Davis, Annabel Doerr & Sarah Moulton

Project: Built a wheelchair ramp.

Leaders: Todd LaVigne & Michael Sanders

Youth: Hope Basil, Bridget Hayes, Alexis Miller, Nick Richardson & Cameron Rogers

PURPLE TEAM

Leaders: Kurt Hansen & Eric Moulton

Youth: Matt Heffernan, Becca Kent, Noah McCroskey & Natalie Richardson

Project: Rebuilt a porch and fixed a bathroom tub, including wall repair and insulation.

Here’s what they said:

“I learned not to judge someone right away before you get to know them.” “The trip isn’t so much focused on the physical work, but the emotional work we accomplished by

bonding with the family.” “I learned a lot about staying positive and being grateful for what you have. The family didn’t have

a lot, but they’re still incredibly happy and cheerful.” “I learned that the worst situation can bring out enthusiasm and faith. My problems at home are

nothing compared to theirs. I learned to be more thankful for the stuff I have.” “The family remained so positive despite all of their hardships and it was truly inspiring to see

them take on all their issues with such an attitude.” “I was scared at first, working on the roof, but it became one of my favorite things about the trip.” “I learned that if you have a close family, you can survive anything.” “I won’t forget the family and their gratitude.” “It’s better to do the work properly rather than try to complete a task as fast as possible.” “We saw how the people of Scott Co. are such happy and grateful people. Grandparents, aunts,

uncles, cousins and children are always together. Having a loving extended family is a bond that can’t be broken despite their lack of financial resources.”

“I absolutely fell in love with the family and their pets.” “The family invited us all back, and they let me ride in a huge truck. I am going to miss them.” “Some of the families were much happier than the families in Chicago that have everything. They

were rich with love for one another.” “I learned I can make a large difference in people’s lives, even though I’m not a big deal.”

“Our family was so generous. I should attempt to be more open and loving to others. We are all so similar, and fight for so much of the same things.

“This trip is the most powerful experience.” “I will miss ASP greatly the next couple of years as I go off to college. Can’t wait until I can be a GL,

and until then, staff maybe…?

2 of our youth are, in fact, going on Appalachia Service Project staff in the coming year:

Lauren Richardson is spending a year on ASP staff in Kentucky before she enters the University of Chicago in the fall or 2014. Keep Lauren in your prayers this year!

Hope Basil will be on ASP staff for summer 2014. Congratulations Hope!

THANK YOU to everyone who helped to make this trip possible with your donations, auction items, attending the fundraiser lunch and supporting our youth financially and with your prayers!