Geist Christian Youth Service-Learning Trip Blog

I woke up later than all my other bunkmates on my side. They had gone to an off-site location earlier that morning, but I had asked to stay back because I wanted to finish the work I had started. I got ready for the day, ate a good breakfast, and got to work.

In the morning, the rest of us who stayed on-site worked to lay down the tarp and mulch. I helped transfer the mulch before being asked to assist with lining up the wooden border for the playground we’ve been working on the past few days. We worked hard to level the sunken ground and deal with the aftermath of the flooding caused by the hurricane. After spreading a lot of sand and securing the wood to the ground with rebar, the outline of the park was finally completed!

While that was going on, the others—after lunch—went down to the creek to help move large rocks. I stayed behind with Sam’s aunts and Pastor Kyle. From what I heard, they had a lot of fun playing in the water, soaking themselves as they worked, and getting covered in dirty creek water—they were quick to shower afterward!

Not long after, the group that had gone off-site returned from helping paint a house. Later, a speaker named Scott from Green Chalice talked to us about the climate, how North Carolina has been affected by the hurricane and flooding, and how we can use both our faith and our actions to help the community. That’s also when we received the exciting news that our church will officially become part of the Green Chalice movement starting August 1, 2025!

After all of this, we had dinner and swam in the pool with the other church group from Texas who had been volunteering alongside us. Then, we were treated to ice cream donated by an anonymous member of our church!

I couldn’t be more grateful for this church community and how much I’ve grown as a person and a follower of God through this experience. I hope to reflect the true strength, love, and power of God through my actions.

Blessed be God, our Lord.