Fun in the Sun

We spent our last full day together having some fun in the water of Summersville Lake, WV.  But before we got to the lake we crossed the New River Gorge Bridge.  It is an amazing structure 870 feet over the New River, which has some of the best whitewater rafting in the US.  We stopped at the lookout to take in the view.
Once we got to Summersville Lake we split into three teams.  Sarah took a group of boys for a hike that ended with a swim in the lake.  Dale took a group out onto the lake on two-person kayaks.  There were some funny moments when Jon got soaked by the water from a boat's wake and Jean slipped and got soaked once she was out of the boat.
Elisabeth took a team to go shopping for fun and to buy supplies for lunch.  We then met for a picnic by the lake.  Then it was in the vans for a four hour ride to Hagerstown, MD.  The ride was uneventful except for two downpours.  After dinner at Bob Evans we called it a night at the Comfort Inn.
Tomorrow we are coming home.  We are ready, but we are sad to see it come to an end.  We will be thinking of you during the worship hour on Sunday morning.  We plan to stop and have our own worship time at a rest area on the way home.
Thanks again for all your support.  We are working on plans to tell you about this life-changing experience.
The PCMK Youth Mission Team

View from New River Gorge Bridge 

On the Road Again

Friday we said our Goodbyes and piled in our vans for the drive out of the mounains back up to civilization.  The town of Beckley, WV was our destination.  It has this amazing Arts and crafts and cultural center called Tamarack.  We went there for lunch and spent some time looking and shopping (maybe a souvenir for you!).  One of our team commented later that it felt good to spend some money and support the local artisan economy.
After lunch we went in an abandoned coal mine with Marvin as our tour guide.  We then found our hotel and relaxed until pizza was brought in for dinner and our last meeting of debriefing and reflecting on the trip.  The group has really come together.  You should hear the comments on how much this trip has impacted their lives.  In fact you will hear from them soon!
Saturday we are headed to Summersville Lake for a little outdoor fun and then we will drive half way home.  We will write more tonight from our motel.
Thanks again for all your support
The pictures are of the coal conveyor at night, posing for a goodbye picture in our matching T-shirts, sin itting the pews of the coal miners church in  Beckley, and a nightcap of old-fashioned milkshakes at the Huddle House.

Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine Church

Enjoying shakes at the Huddle House

A Very Wet Day

As you will see from this blog, today followed a wet theme.  First, there was a steady rain all morning that made it impossible for Elisabeth's team to finish the painting on the mobile home.  They loaded up all the supplies and made the 40 minute trip anyway, because showers seem to come and go here all the time.  But today was different.  After waiting over an hour in the van for the rain to stop (they used the time to get ready for kids club) they came back down the mountain.  They then held their last kids club with the local children.  There the wet theme continued as Bailey got "wet" from holding a sleeping child who, well, had an accident.

The other team went with Dale and Sarah to the home of Joe and Tammy to install siding on their home.  Joe described their location as about as far into the mountains as you could get.  We drove past coal mines and twisty roads to get there.  The rain made it a muddy mess around the house, but the team pressed on and almost completely finished the job.  But the wet theme continued and we hope you are not offended by the funny stories below.  It's part of life when you spend this many days together.

Tomorrow we go into Beckley, WV to experience a different side of West Virginia culture.  We will visit a coal mine and an arts and crafts center.

We are tired and ready to come home, but it has been good.  Thanks for reading, praying and supporting us.

Hello, this is Graham Blair.

This trip has been very humbling for me, as I see different people of West Virginia and their lifestyles. When I see the care that these people give, when they are so needy themselves, it makes me feel guilty for being so fortunate, and encourages me to aid others as a sort-of “duty to humanity” for the remainder of my life. I have learned to live like them, drinking dirty water and eating with the same dirty mess kit every meal. I have so much admiration for Agnes, who raised 13 children, many of which she still feeds (2 are paralyzed), and feeds an alcoholic, a drug addict as well. We helped build her a floor for her kitchen, and she was so kind, feeding us breakfast and giving us water whenever needed. We also helped paint a trailer, clean up a fire pit, and paint many tables. Tammy, for whom we constructed the side wall of her house, is also so influential, as she takes care of about 100 animals, including 11 dogs, 2 cats, a weasel, innumerable chickens and roosters, a ferret, and 4 horses. At kids club, I met and remember the names of about 10 kids, of whom Nazir and Shikira are the most memorable. These very rambunctious siblings remember my name and ask for me now, as I have played with them for four days. All of these things together have made these past four days an unforgettable experience, and a great time with my friends.

Greetings Everyone. It's Anthony.
Coming to the end of our trip, I have learned a lot about this community. It has humbled me to know how much we have compared to these people. I have enjoyed helping various people and getting to know the residents. Specifically, Ms. Agnes' generosity and compassion showed. All the little things that she did for us such as make us sandwiches and have a hot breakfast of biscuits and gravy waiting for us made us love and respect her even more. I couldn't get over the smile on her face when we finished the floor and her disappointment when we finally had to leave. Our building of the floor was a good relief from the burdens of her daily schedule. I know she will continue to be generous and keep on altruistically feeding her neighbors. I won't forget this trip and how it opened my eyes to h ow the world really is. I will learn to appreciate what I have significantly more when I return home.

Hi everyone!  It’s Beverly and Alexandra.

The mission trip has brought up many new experiences.  For example, today the moment we stepped out of the van to the worksite, we were surprised to see a horse peeing.  It was rather startling and disgusting.  After this traumatizing event, torrential downpour ensued.  Nonetheless, we persevered and installed the siding to Tammy’s house.  However, the difficulties did not stop there.  On the ride back, Graham Blair really had to pee.  On the roadside, he hopped out of the van and peed in the “Kentucky Wild.”   We were all jealous Graham Blair made his “bladder gladder” in KENTUCKY!   As a side note, at Kids Club (although our group did not assist in Kids Club today, we heard stories), a baby peed on Bailey.  She reacted very calmly, making us all very proud!  After this day with an underlying theme of pee, we can still say that we had a great time and appreciate the opportunity we have had here all week! (Graham Blair and Bailey

Foard approve of this message.)

After siding the house

Alexa and Graham finishing the side

Blogging at the hotspot!

Kids Club

Tammy, Joe, and Jeff 

A Mountaintop Day

Day three on the work sites and kids club really paid off.  We had a very good day in three parts.

Elisabeth took a group and spent the morning visiting with folks in the local nursing home.  They sang songs and visited, to the delight of the residents.  They spent the afternoon doing Kids Club in town for the local children.  They loved it--the local kids and our kids!

Dale and Sarah took off onto Coon Branch Road with two projects.  Dale's team finished installing a new floor for a woman named Agnes.  The kitchen floor sloped 6 inches over seven feet.  We built a rather ingenius new floor that brought it level.  Mission accomplished.

Sarah took a team further up the mountain and painted the mobile home for an elderly couple there.  They almost finished and another team will go tomorrow.

In the evening we went on an excursino to Miracle Mountain.  The view from the mountaintop was stunning with mist settling in the valleys below.  We had a bonfire with s'mores.  A recipe for a wonderful summer evening.  The group sharing is getting deeper each evening as we reflect on verses from Romans and all that God is doing in and through us.  

We are encouraged by how many people are checking out the blog. (over 60 at last check).

I'm tired now and up past curfew to send you a paragraph from Dylan and some more pictures.  Check again tomorrow evening!

Hey, this is Dylan Tai, and today was our second-to-last day of working part of this mission trip- it's really weird to think so though. Time flies by so fast, well at least when you look back on it and not in the moment. I'm not going to be that one guy that says "I don't want to leave" because I honestly do miss having cell phone signal, video games, not having to wear slippers before walking into my shower, my friends, having actual blister medicine instead of pouring salt on it (that REALLY hurts, by the way), etc. Although, the people here I've met really did change my view on life as a whole and made me view cultures differently. It's amazing how one person's story, one person's testimony, can change so many peoples' philosophies. Not only that, but some people that came to West Virginia with me transformed from being regular people to people with amazing talents. I'm excited to come back home and finally sleep in my room without 30 other people, though I will always remember the people I met and the lessons I learned here. I won't ever forget the people that live here: no matter how small that person may be. Whether it was the little six year-old Bruce/Michael (they're the same person; his real name was Michael and he liked being called Bruce) who was way to excited all of the time or the elderly woman Agnes who was always smiling with one of the most depressing stories I have ever heard, I will remember these people like they were my brothers and sisters. Let's go out with a bang tomorrow, I'm off to pour some more salt on my lips :(.

Day Two: Settling In, Facing Challenges, Meeting People

Hi from Elisabeth
This is the week of learning to be sempre gumby - as they say in the navy - really flexible!  I have the privilege of working alongside your amazing youth as we lead Kid's Club each afternoon.  Watching our PCMK youth engage with the children is simply amazing.  I had no idea that they would connect to them so easily and with so much energy and love - what an inspiration!  While there is much chaos and craziness here - teaching us ultimate flexibility - our youth show maturity that is simply beyond their years and they are easy to live with and wonderful to work alongside.  Loving this week - loving our youth.  So glad I came along on my 9th mission trip even though the 8th was supposed to be the last!

Hi from Lindsay!
Today I worked on painting a trailer and we had to drive up and down multiple, steep mountains to get there. After starting that job, we left and went back to the school to do Kids Club. We all made visors and played jump rope and limbo with the kids. After blowing bubbles with two adorable girls, I retreated back to my room to find out that I had received a wonderful letter written by the girl I had met yesterday when I was working on a roof. The wonderful letter was by far the best experience so far this week. After getting the letter, I went to eat dinner and a lady from another group approached me to say that the little girl who sent the letter had been talking about all of us the whole day! I was so happy to see that we had really established a connection with a girl who we had just met. We got to learn so much about her: how she played softball and was a swimmer, her little sister Brooke, and that she had an enormous doll house that she loved that was in her living room. This trip has really opened my eyes to how relationships can not only impact others, but also ourselves. I'm so excited to see what the rest of the week has in store!

Hello from Alexa =D
These past days have been a really great experience and learning opportunity.  From driving around and looking at the scenery and talking to all the wonderful people we get to meet, you really get a feel for the community and become deeply attached to McDowell.  I have to say, one of my favorite experiences has been Kids Club.  I formed a great friendship with an adorable 7 year old, Keniya.  We worked on our crafts together and helped with the games and organizing/establishing the rules.  On the second day of Kids Club she introduced me to Tatie who has an adorable smile and a simple way of telling you what she wants.  I've had the great opportunity to form bonds with these wonderful kids - as I spent the entire Kids Club helping out with them.  Unfortunately, each person in the group only has 2 days of Kids Club and today was my last.  I'm going to miss Keniya and Tatie a lot, but I'm happy to have met such wonderful kids.  I can't wait to meet even more amazing people!

Kids Club

Cleaning out a fire pit

Do, Love, Walk, Day One

The theme for Experience Mission is Do, Love, Walk; based on Micah 6:8, which says, "Do justice, love mercy and walk humbly with God."
This was a day filled with experiences of doing justice (helping people who have nothing), loving mercy (and one another) and walking humbly with God (grateful for the life God has given us).
One group was working on a single story roof.  The house leaked like a sieve and we could see why.  It was hard to know where to start.  But our kids were great.  They worked hard when there was work to do and then played with the children of the neighborhood when there wasn't.
The other group helped clean up a place and then led the Kids Club.  They had a great time with the children (as always).
We'll have some of our youth write about their experiences later this evening.  Right now they are playing a game together while we wait for our turn at dinner.  The time they spend with each other is as valuable as anything.
Here are some pictures of the day from the rooftop gang's perspective.

Hello everyone this is Theo talking.  Today we worked on a roof that was experiencing leaks.  We had a great time and  a great bonding experience while unscrewing the large sheets of tin from the roof and then putting down a solid wooden structure.  The roof was so rotten, a man from another group put his foot through the roof.  I had a great time today and look forward to helping others and meeting new people.

Country Roads, Take Me Home...

We made it!  That was a very long day, but the scenery was beautiful and the kids were great.  Here are some of their thoughts as we arrived in Gary, WV.  (Pastor Dale)

Hello this is Akin, we have arrived  in West Virginia. The mountainous scenery is very beautiful. The citizens of McDowell county are warm and friendly. We send our regards and we will see you soon.

Hey, it's Dylan Tai. Today we took a 14 and a half hour drive here without killing each other, surprisingly, and it was actually a lot of fun. It consisted of Frisbee, McDonalds stops, a lot of pretty funny jokes, some a cappella singing, rapping and singalong. I'm really excited for tomorrow and can't wait to get started, I already met some pretty cool people here in the first twenty minutes of arriving. Can't wait to tell you more, and I'm probably going to go to sleep.I already heard a lot of people complaining about not having cell phone signal here, and man, are we spoiled. I'm not going to lie, I was actually one of these people, but I know I will survive. Get back to you later!

Hi its Matthew. We just settled in here where we'll be staying the week in West Virginia. It used to be a school until 2005 when they renovated it for groups like us.

Hey there! It's Bailey. Finally we've arrived at Gary School after a long 14.5 hour car ride..it wasn't easy but we had a great time bonding with one another.  Everyone here seems to be really sweet, warm and welcoming. I am so excited to start building homes for the community and to meet the people of McDowell County. It's going to be quite the adventure!

Threading the Needle

The weather this spring has been very wet.  Last week had huge downpours, and this week has as well.  But last Sunday was a perfect sunny day for our 4th annual Worship in the Park and Church Picnic, sponsored by our deacons.  Someone made the comment that we "threaded the needle" with the weather, and that is a great way to put it.  It's like God made the day just for us, and actually, that is exactly what happened. 

We had a great turnout.  We filled up the tables under the shelter and folks spread out on the soggy lawn.  There were lots of kids to come up for the children's message, we sang familiar gospel hymns and the choir sang an old spiritual, "Ain'a That Good News."  Then I shared my Old Fashioned Story Time Sermon entitled, A Shelter in the Time of Storm.  The story kind of continued with Art and Dorothy from last year, but then shifted to Bill and Susie, natives of Mount Kisco.  They got stranded on Staten Island during Superstorm Sandy, and the experience was life-changing.

We closed out worship with singing an old gospel hymn by the same title, "A Shelter in the Time of Storm," recognizing that our faith and our church is truly a shelter in the storms of life.  After worship we ate great food, including hot dogs, potluck salads and desserts, and even had a visit from the ice cream truck.  Then we had a great time playing classic church picnic games.  Little Terence Flanagan and I ran a three legged race, but he didn't want to run fast or we would fall!  Evan Pence and I won a medal for the greatest distance in the water balloon contest.

As you can see, we had a great time.  It was our official kick off to summer.  If you missed it, you can listen to the sermon on the website.  I think you will enjoy the story and I hope it will make you grateful for the shelter we have when life gets rough. 

And I hope you find shelter from the weather.  Whatever happened to summer anyway?

See you in church,

Pastor Dale

Children's Time

New Members - The Bubb Family

The choir singing

Games after worship

Water balloon toss

A Happy Annivesary

One year ago Elisabeth and I were enjoying our one weekend off between ending our ministry in Erie, PA and our new beginning here at PCMK.  As the first weekend of June rolled around this year, there was much to remind me of this time last year.  Last year our moving van arrived in the midst of the preparation for the rummage sale.  We joked that we should have just backed up the truck to the church and sold all our stuff.  Now the rummage sale preparations are once again in full swing.  And what an impressive win-win project this is--everyone is having a good time; the proceeds will help people; and stuff gets recycled!

Then the events of Sunday, June 2nd reinforced what a happy anniversary this has been.  First, my colleague in ministry, Charles Barton, preached an excellent sermon on the "Golden Rule."  But the moment that was really touching was when he reminded the congregation that we were marking my first year anniversary and the third for our music director, Terry Flanagan.  The applause we both received was heart-warming and it is indicative of the good time we are all having working together.  But the day was not over!

In the afternoon we had the Ordination Service for the now Rev. Kenneth Godshall.  And once again the Rev. Dr. Susan Andrews, General Presbyter for Hudson River Presbytery, was in the pulpit.  I say once again because she preached that first Sunday of June last year while Elisabeth and I were lingering over brunch.  Her message set the stage for a moving ritual of ordination as Ken knelt on the chancel with all the pastors and elders in the sanctuary coming forward to lay on hands and pray for him.

The other day I spoke with my father on the phone and he commented on reading this blog--he said, "It sounds like you have a  happy bunch out there!"  We certainly do!  It has been a happy year, we are happy to be here, and it was a happy anniversary.  The happy news is that there are many more anniversaries to come.

Rev. Dr. William Crawford with Rev. Kenneth Godshall

Owen Godshall

Susan Andrews