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Our group of 26
youth and adults are ready to depart BSPC on June 25 for Neon, KY.
The 2006 Neon Intergenerational
Mission trip to Neon, KY June 25-July 1, consisted of a group of 26
participants: 10 adults and 12 youth from Broad Street, 3 teens from
Boulevard Presbyterian, and one family friend from New Jersey. We
volunteered through H.O.M.E.S., Inc. which is an acronym for Housing
Oriented Ministries Established for Service. H.O.M.E.S., Inc. is a
nonprofit organization that assists in providing affordable housing in the
Appalachian region.
During the week we accomplished at one site putting
up insulation, wiring and roofing, and at another site we set a foundation
wall, put in a drainage pipe, nailed in floor joists and floorboards,
built two walls and raised one! Each evening we came together for
devotions and reflection, games and fellowship. As we worked and lived in
community with one another we learned what it meant to reach out in
mission as the body of Christ. With this opportunity we learned about the
Appalachian culture and its people and we appreciated how God has blessed
all of us.
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View from new home
construction site near Whitesburg, KY being built by H.O.M.E.S., Inc.-an
affordable housing outreach ministry. |
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After a few days of
rain the group fights the mud while cleaning the trench for the new
foundation wall.
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David,
Kelley and Jacob setting the molds for the concrete wall. It was muddy and
wet, but somebody had to do it.
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Caitlin and Andrew
pour concrete for the support posts. The trick was to keep the mold still. |
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Michael, Conrad,
Sarah, Meg, Rebecca and Caitlin test the strength of the new wall. |
Meghan, Caitlin,
Rebecca and Meg learn how to drive a straight nail in the center support
beams |
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Uncle Bud gives
instructions for the next phase. |
The
group nailing the floor joists in place. There was plenty of work for
everyone.
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"Hey, I'm now a
teenager, don't mess with me!" (We celebrated Conrad's 13th
birthday the day we left for Neon). |
Team work! After
building a foundation wall, the floor and two walls, the group was able to
raise a wall by the end of the week. |
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On Wednesday the
group took a trip to the Breaks Interstate Park on the border of Kentucky
and Virginia. This is the breathtaking view from one of the overlooks. |
Our group enjoys a
lunch break after a morning of hard work. |
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Dan, Kevin and Grant
share a few laughs on the boy's side of the bunkhouse. |
Meghan makes the
sign of the cross on Sarah's forehead during evening devotions.
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The worship table is
set for evening devotions. Each night we reflected upon different themes
around the building theme such as God's design and blueprint for our
lives, Christ as our foundation, the gifts of the Spirit which give our
lives structure, etc. |
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The
group poses with the site supervisor Kenny after a hard, fun and rewarding
week in Neon, Kentucky.
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