Working Hard and Building Relationships

by Aly Bufton, EM Summer Staff in Kentucky

Another week in Pike County, Kentucky, is coming to an end and I sit here in awe and amazement at the service and relationship building our mission trip teams did this week. We had three groups this week: First United Methodist Church from Alabama, West Walnut Church of Christ from Indiana, and Wesley United Methodist from Pennsylvania—37 people ranging from freshmen in high school to sixty years old. These teams exceeded my expectations not only in the amount and quality of work they did, but also in the relationships that were built with each other and the people of this community.

Our four projects this week were at WestCare Homeless shelter (working on painting and lights), Christ Central Christian School (painting and cleaning), Habitat for Humanity (Susie "Big Mama's" house and the duplex project), and Winston and Debbie's home (wall construction, flooring, siding), with some outreach at Signature nursing home as well. We, by no means, are short of projects here, but I'm most thankful that these teams took the opportunity to stop, talk, and form relationships with the people of the community!

This is a before photo of the wall at Winston and Debbie's house. This happened last week due to termites and water damage.

This is the same wall during the middle of this week as the team was rebuilding it from the foundation. It was incredible to see the progress and skills learned during this project.

This is Adam (my fellow EM Summer Staff member and our construction coordinator) and Winston standing in front of the newly rebuilt wall. Winston was full of gratitude and thanks as we left his home today, and we are going to be forever blessed by him and his spirit. He truly is the man, the myth, the legend. In the words of Adam:

"Winston here woke up Monday with a gaping hole in his beautiful home due to termites and water damage. Today he and I stood next to freshly built wall and back room as a picture was taken. Thank you Winston for inspiring me and telling me you love me every day, and thank you EM for giving me such an amazing opportunity to show love to the people in Appalachia."

This is Susie's home at Habitat for Humanity. Today she expressed so much gratitude to our teams because she finally had a porch to sit under with lemonade in hand to watch the sun set over the mountains. She was so thankful that she brought the mission team homemade BBQ pulled pork, and came to the church to serve the rest of the team dinner this evening! She truly believes the biggest blessing from her new home is all the relationships she is able to build with all of her new friends. Everyone has a room to stay at in Big Mama's new home.

This team from Pennsylvania worked at the Christian school painting the kitchen and boy's bathroom. During the tail end of this week, a team was able to come in and paint the gym floor.

This photo is from the homeless shelter. We've been working on a project to rewire the lights there in order for the shelter to save money, and have brighter lights.

At the nursing home this week, our teams got to play wheel of fortune, paint, have a party, and fly kites. The residents are so thankful to be able to hang out and get to know the teams, and the teams are thankful to do the same.

This is a group photo of all the people working with us this week at one of my favorite spots—The Overlook. You can see all of Pikeville from this one spot, and it was a 20-year-project to cut through the rocks and mountains to carve out the city.

Another week has come and gone but the physical work and relationships built here are incredible. I'm excited for more teams to come and experience this community!

You must have a group size of at least 6 members to join this trip. Please view the Small Team trips or call our Servicing Department for more options at 888-475-6414.

View Small Team Trips

For most trips, you must have a group size of at least 6 members. Please view the Small Teams tab on each Community page or call our Servicing Department for more options at 888-475-6414.