My name is Jenson Driskell, and I am currently on the Hazard, Kentucky high school mission trip. We divided ourselves into 2 groups for the trip. My group was the largest group, with 11 people in the group, including me. We were working on building a house, which was partly assembled before we arrived. I largely worked on hammering nails into assorted pieces of wood. I hammered nails into a porch and top plates for the hallways of a house. My favorite part of the trip was looking at the finished product. My least favorite part was that on one day, the contractors didn’t have much work for us. All in all, I had a good time and would go on this mission trip again if given the option.

My name is Logan Ayres, I’m currently on the Hazard, Kentucky mission trip. In this mission trip, we split up into two groups. One group of four and everyone else in the other group. I was in the group of four, and we did some renovations to a house that had mold problems. We started by making the sub-floor for the kitchen, and then we ripped up part of the family room and cleaned up down there. Then we went to the porch and then fixed the slanted parts by putting in new posts. My favorite part is when we hammered in the sub-floor. My least favorite part is when we had to take the mortar off of the concrete bricks. Another bad part was that I got bit over a hundred times (not joking) by chiggers, it does not feel good. But overall I would say this is my favorite mission trip so far because of the amount that I worked.

I can do all this through him who gives me strength. Philippians 4:13

My name is Abby Groom, and today was probably the hardest work day I have had all week. The day started off right away, and we had to pick up many heavy cinder blocks and move them. Then we needed to clean the dirt and old cement off of them which doesn’t sound bad, but it took forever and was very difficult. I was starting to think why am I doing this and got kind of negative, but then I remembered that I am here to help someone and that this will really change their life because they live in this home everyday and need a safe stable floor. So it really opened my eyes because I saw all that the hard work and how it didn’t feel so great while I am doing it; afterwards it feels great because I get to see all the awesome work I have done.

Even with youth on a mission trip, we still have programming back home. This is a picture of those who gathered at Mud Creek tonight for a game of Romans and Christians. Thanks to all the adults who helped make it possible.

My name is Sarah Renfro, and although I have been on a lot of mission trips, this is my first time to the Housing Development Alliance in Hazard, KY. I feel like I have come a little bit home since my mom grew up not far from here. The meal we had tonight was something she had regularly growing up in Pippa Passes, KY at Alice Lloyd College, where her dad Will Hayes was the president. I have loved working with these young people, sweating alongside them, as we work on a new build. Today was so great because we finished the front porch to the home for Molly and her family, and we wrapped the outside of the house. The students work so hard and well together, and our crew motivates, teaches, and is patient with us as we learn new skills. And we got milkshakes! Hammers and nails have become our friends even as our relationship as a group has grown. I was also fortunate enough to spend time at the other site removing mortar from reclaimed concrete blocks. Tough work but necessary to make a strong foundation for an existing home. The projects we are working on this week are much more than a side project for students during the summer, but are the literal and figurative building blocks to a life of stability and hope.

My Name is Trevor Huettig, and this is my fourth mission trip. Tonight for dinner, the members of First Presbyterian Church in Hazard, Kentucky made us soup beans, which is part of an Appalachian meal. They also made us corn bread, fried potatoes, and peach cobbler for dessert. It was my first time having soup beans, and I have to say it was a lot better then I thought it would be. The best part was how grateful the members of the church were that we were here to serve their community and how they were very excited to feed us.