KOSEY CORNER
Escaping the summer heat has been a mission for most of us in the area, but for some area residents summer has seen them embark upon missions of another kind.
In June a group of 21 high school students and four adults from Ascension Lutheran and Sts. Peter and Paul churches in Riverside joined the staff and volunteers of the Appalachia Service Project in the poorest parts of Breathitt County, Ky., to repair homes for low-income families in Appalachia.
Leading the trip was Patrick Murphy with the help of experienced rehabber Don Forney. Due to conditions of many of the homes, the work was quite extensive – from fixing foundations to replacing roofs.
The sub-standard housing held a few surprises – wasps, stray animals and a snake that appeared as a ceiling was being demolished.
The trip was gratifying and Murphy, who has led the past 12 trips, was asked if he’s recovered from the trip yet.
“Recovered?” he responded. “I think I am going through withdrawal.”
Look for Pat to be ready next year.
Also in June, 11 girls and three adults from Riverside-Brookfield High School’s Young Life program went to a town outside of Managua, Nicaragua, for 10 days of mission work.
Much of their time was spent at an orphanage where they weeded and cleared an area to give the children a better play area. Painting and scraping the building were among their projects. They also painted a mural on the building which reads Bienvenidos al centro Vida Nueva (Welcome to New Life Center), an idea that came from the girls themselves.
Running a clothing drive and assisting at a feeding center were on the schedule, but they also took time to enjoy some of the area before spending evenings in reflection sessions.
According to Elena Duve, one of the students, “The experience was awesome. You learn to appreciate your home, family, friends and neighbors. It is very rewarding and I definitely would do it again and urge others to do so.”
Finally, as they have done for more than 20 years, the youth group from Riverside Presbyterian Church planned a mission trip to Camp Rimrock in western South Dakota to work on restoration of the Presbyterian camp.
Around 20 young people and four adults worked on the camp, but this active youth group works year round, planning and fundraising for what are very worthwhile mission trips.
Lots of good people in our area doing good things.