Life-Changing Journeys: Appalachian Mission Trip Testimonials

Appalachia is not only fun but also fulfilling. I’ve never been around so many hard working people who not only love to help others but also have a very faithful relationship with God. Everyone has been so kind since the trip to Terra Alta and back. Not only has my relationship with God strengthened but so has my ability to work. I have learned how to build a deck and a roof in the matter of a week. Everyday they had some new thing for us to do. They were truly amazing. They had morning rosary and morning mass. They also had confession and adoration. Justin also lead a night rosary every night. We always had something to do, fishing, swimming, 4 square and etc. 

We had a total of 8 different sites which all had different projects. My specific project led by Reid baker consisted of 8 hard working people. As I said I learned how to fix a roof and build a deck but I never had to do it alone. When I first got to the site we were immediately greeted with a lovely lady. Her name is Rose. She was a recovering addict with many health issues but always seemed to have a loving smile on her face. She always had food or drinks to offer us. But what really touched me is the fact that she invited us into her home and let us sit on her couch and watch a movie. Everyday we learned more and more about her. The way that I saw the face of god is in the help and assistance which we were able to give to rose. Not only did I see God in the kindness that rose returned but also the part where she called my site her family.