More photos from Thursday, June 25

Like Thursday Like Monday

The saying of the day, here in Athens, was "Thursday like Monday". As we started our fourth day of work after finishing a long day of fun zip lining yesterday, gaining the motivation to wake up early and work hard for the community was obviously difficult for a group of teenagers. However, looking back to the beginning of the week we could easily envision the motivation we held on that early Monday morning. So as we woke up at ate a delicious breakfast casserole our fearless leaders constantly reminded us "Thursday like Monday". The saying was especially important as The clouds finally broke loose this morning and all of our groups were stuck in a constant rain.

Our first work group was made up of Jack Dager, Maddie, Noah and Denise. For the morning shift they traveled to a women's house to do some lawn mowing. The four of them worked with two mowers and two weed whackers to tame an extremely unkempt lawn. The women was kind and opened up a little to the group about her family and her appreciation for the worked they planned.

The second work group of the day was made up of Teddy, Dan, Harrison, Nick, Meredith and Gayle. The six of them traveled to a trailer that is in need of supports, and a deck with a handicap ramp. The job included getting under the trailer to clear away trash as well as placing concrete support to prevent the entire structure. The group also started some foundation for the ramp and deck.

The third outdoor work group was made solely of Nathan who stayed on the Hannah house property to spilt some wood, to heat the house through the winter.

These three outdoor groups combined after lunch to work indoors. They traveled down the road to volunteer at a local thrift shop that is very special to the community. The thrift shop every month, picks a new non- profit to donate their proceeds to. Good Works is high up on their list so we paid them back by helping to organize different sections of their store.

The fourth group was made up of Doug, Jack White, Stefanie and Alex. Thee four of them stayed inside all day at the local Good Works shelter, the Timothy House, and painted some shelves as well as some other handy man projects.

Once again Carolyn and Mark worked at the Kids Discovery club.

This afternoon the group enjoyed many games of Basketball, Volleyball and our new Favorite: Taco Tag!!

Recap from Wednesday

The PPCers at the Kid's Discovery Club enjoyed "What In the World Wednesday!" They played an animal game with the children and heard from a presenter who was teaching the children about how to reuse and recycle to care for God's creation.

Another group went back to John's house and continued to chop wood for him to store for fuel for the winter. At the end of the day, the group also talked with John about his family and his tragic motorcycle accident.

Another group did repairs on Good Works' Hannah House (where the team is staying) and on the Good Works' Administration Building. They worked on doors and locks.

In addition, the group enjoyed an afternoon zip line tour. The enjoyed the X-Tour at Hocking Hills Canopy Tour. Check out what their experience may have been like by watching this video.

More pics from the week

Playing "Spoons" (a card game) during free time

Assembling a shower chair for Mary

Noah, Jack W., and Stefanie (with Ed giving guidance) installed a shower hose and assembled a shower chair so Mary can sit to shower and not risk falling. We also took out the toilet, added a layer of new plywood over the rotting floor boards, and reinstalled the toilet. And on multiple occasions took time to pray for and with Mary. Stefanie, Jack W., and Noah also sang a hymn for Mary.

More games during free time

A wood chopping crew pausing during work on Wednesday morning

Morning devotions

Each morning the team gathers with staff from Good Works for devotions.

Morning devotions

This time is intended to help the group see their service as an act of worship. The focus is educational about how God views poverty and the poor.

Summer Lunch

One of the ministries which the team is assisting with this week is Summer Lunch.

Summer Lunch is closely connected with Kids’ Discovery Club, a summer camp for local children. During the school year children are able to get a good meal from the school, but during the summer this becomes difficult for some families. Good Works helps provide a healthy, nutritious and tasty meal for the children. This meal is also available to anyone who wants a free lunch.

Tuesday, June 23

Recap and reflection by Harrison Smith

The difference between our lives in Maryland and the lives of the people of Athens has amazed us. 

Most of the work we are doing is maintain the houses and properties of people who can't do it themselves and can't afford to have someone else help. We continued to mow lawns today for people that can't get it done without help from Good Works. We also cleared mildew off of a house and painted it. We repaired the water heater of a lady fighting cancer who hadn't had hot water for awhile. 

Manicured lawns, clean houses, and hot water are standard in Potomac, but the reality here is Athens is that many people don't have these things that we consider basic. In Athens, there are people that work for months to earn enough for cars that many Potomac residents would consider more trouble than use. College students at The Ohio University throw away things that Athens residents then search the trash for. We were told to leave the broken water heater on the street corner, because it would only take a few hours for someone to find a use for it and take it.

The residents of Athens are extremely generous and clearly close to God, yet we are so much more fortunate. It is impossible to fully know what life is like here, but we are doing our best to understand.

Mark and Harrison cooking grits for breakfast

Alex mowing

Alex, Meredith, and Jack D. pause from mowing in the shade

Monday, June 22 (continued)

Jack W. and Stefanie shared the following poem with Mary, whom they assisted with plumbing fixes:

"Although we may feel that the Lord is not with us at times,

He is always watching over us and preventing us from crimes.

Your loving friends fill your life with care,

providing a smile, God told us to share.

Fixing your house is the least we can do

to show you have much we care for deserving people like you.

Thank you for letting us help you out.

It allows us to discover which Christianity is about.

We will not forget you -- without a doubt."

"Plumbers" Jack W., Stefanie, and Ed

Monday, June 22

(Note: Please excuse the delay in posts. The group has very poor wifi, so they are sending out pictures and text via mobile technology to be posted by the "back home team." We will add new posts as soon as possible.)

Recap by Mark Dager

Today, the PPC team split into 5 groups, as we dispersed throughout the Athens area to help out the community.

The first group (Nathan, Maddie, and Denise) traveled to a man named John's house to chop wood. John is severely disabled man as a result of a motorcycle accident (he was unconscious for 54 days and died 4 times). The group chainsawed and split wood from a white oak, and John plans to use this to heat his home in the winter.

The second group (Jack W., Stefanie, and Ed) traveled to a trailer to visit Mary, a 68 year old woman suffering from breast and brain cancer. Mary has family nearby, but sadly, few visitors. The group replaced Mary's plumbing and succeeded in providing her with hot water.

The third group (Meredith, Harrison, and Gayle) went around to two houses and moved lawns for individuals who couldn't physically or fiancially affort to now their own lawns. One individual was unemployed and unable to affort to now their lawn, and the other was disabled, so the group helped him out as well.

The fourth group (Nick, Doug, Alex, Teddy, Jack D., and Eric) stayed at the site where we are living and cleared drainage trenches in order to prevent flooding. The yard where the flooding can occur is significant, as the Friday night community meal (Friday Night Life) which Good Works hosts takes place on the yard. This meal feeds 150+ poeple each week and is essential to their sense of community and belonging.

The final group (Mark, Carolyn, Sean, and Nelia) traveled to a children's camp that works as a day care for disadvantaged parents. They worked and played with the children, spread faith, and taught them to work together. The children connected with us, and the camp really provided them with a  sense of belonging that they don't always get at home.

Four fathers on Father's Day

A surprise dessert for Father's Day

Small group devotions

Some Monday afternoon basketball following the day of work

Relaxing in the kitchen

Arrived safely

We received word late last night that all was well in Athens. The group arrived safely. They enjoyed pizza for dinner from Avalanche Pizza (rated "Best Pizza in the USA" by the Food Network...no word yet from the group if the pizza lived up to the hype). They also enjoyed a trip to Walmart for groceries and snack food. After orientation and some group time, all were in bed and the lights were out on schedule. They are looking forward to a great day of work today.

-Pastor Kendra (member of the "back home" support team)

P.S. Mission Trippers...I miss you already. Praying that you all have a wonderful trip!

Getting supplies and paperwork prepared for the trip to Athens!

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Send notes/emails of encouragement.

The twenty-one members of PPC traveling to Athens, Ohio, June 21-27, will work long hours assisting Good Works, Inc. The vision of Good Works is to create a “community of hope” with and for people who are struggling with poverty and homelessness in rural Appalachia. An encouraging word from home is always appreciated. Consider writing a note or card to the Mission Team to be read during nightly group devotions. A mailbox and blank cards are available in Fellowship Hall for all letters and cards. 

You can also email "encouraging words" to potomacpresbyterian@gmail.com