News:Service Quarter
Appalachia Service Project (ASP) 2008
“Not by force, nor by strength, but by my Spirit.” (Zechariah 4:6)
Each summer our senior high youth travel to Appalachia to serve through the Appalachia Service Project (ASP). This ministry repairs homes for low-income families in rural areas of Central Appalachia. The goal is to make homes warmer, safer, and drier for families in need, while offering transformational experiences for families, volunteers, and staff alike.
This year, 20 youth and nine adults will leave for Perry County, Kentucky, on July 11th. Team members have been preparing for this trip for the past few months. They have been selling stock, learning and practicing building skills, decorating packing boxes, and praying. They thank all who have purchased ASP stock already this year. This trip is funded entirely through the generous giving of this congregation, as well as friends and family of our youth and adults. With the rising gas and food prices, our need for financial support also increases. They would appreciate any help you can give to support this life-changing mission opportunity for our youth. They also ask for your support through prayers. Please pray for safe travel; for loving, supportive, harmonious relationships among team members; for health and safety during construction activities; for warm and loving relationships with the families we meet; that each member of our team will grow in their relationship with Christ and their understanding of the world God loves; that our Lord will be glorified in every word and action during the trip. As time for the trip draws near, hear are some thoughts and reflections from our ASP team.
This year I moved to Austin to live with my dad and had rarely ever gone to church before that. At first I was shy and was apprehensive about coming to church. I barely knew anyone and I definitely did not feel like I was in a relationship with God. Over the past six months though, God and church have become one of the biggest things in my life. I have made many new friends at church and I am very excited to go on ASP with them. I feel lucky and blessed to go help God’s people and worship him on this ASP trip.
--Youth First-Timer
I’m really excited about going on ASP this year. I’ve heard wonderful things about the trip, and I’m looking forward to it. I’m hoping that on ASP I will be able to build a stronger connection with the family we are helping. In the past, the families my work teams have helped haven’t been around much. Seeing some of the older youth that still write letters and email families they worked for on ASP has been really inspiring and one of the big reasons I wanted to go. Because ASP is longer and the youth are older so we can do bigger jobs, it seems to me that this trip will allow us to help the people of Appalachia even more than we ever could have helped on the junior high mission trips. It seems now that we’re older, we can make an even bigger difference.
--Youth First-Timer
Every year, ASP takes me away from whatever minor troubles I’m having at home, and places me into a family that struggles every day. I am reminded of the blessings God has given. For me, one of the most meaningful engagements is the prayer at the end of a workday. Our team and the family stand in a circle, holding hands and praying. I never know what the family is thinking, but I know that God is listening to us and watching over them, and I’m sure they feel just a little bit more comfort from our presence.
--Youth
One of the things that first drew me to First Church was its strong commitment to service. When visiting, the ASP service trip particularly caught my attention. I can’t wait to go!
--Adult First-Timer
