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.

The Rain by William Henry Davies

I hear leaves drinking rain;

I hear rich leaves on top

Giving the poor beneath

Drop after drop;

‘Tis a sweet noise to hear

These green leaves drinking near.

And when the Sun comes out,

After this Rain shall stop,

A wondrous Light will fill

Each dark, round drop;

I hope the Sun shines bright;

‘Twill be a lovely sight.

My name is Fiona and this is my third mission trip, my name is Sophie and this is my second mission trip, and my name is Hannah and this is my third mission trip. Today we started a new construction for a family. We started by digging a trench to pour the concrete for the foundation of the house. We put in metal beams to keep the concrete straight. At the site, the family who we were building for had puppies. When we took breaks, we got to play with the puppies. During our breaks, we also got to know the homeowner. The three of us got to tie down and lay down the rebars (which are metal bars) with wires all around the perimeter of the house. The homeowner was really kind to us. He brought us chairs, a fan, and popsicles. When we waited for the cement truck to come, we got to try out the caterpillar, one of the big machines. We also were able to watch the cement truck pour cement into the trench. We learned about patience waiting for the cement truck to come to the site.