Since January, our Appalachia Service Project (ASP) team has been preparing for our week of service, June 29–July 5, in Jonesville, VA. Twenty-three youth and thirteen adult leaders have been learning what it means to serve low-income families in the Appalachian mountains by making their homes warmer, safer, and drier.
Each year, more than 15,000 youth and adult volunteers serve in ten or more communities, providing critical home repairs and forming meaningful connections with families and fellow volunteers. We’ve been learning how to meet people where they are—just as they are—with compassion and humility. We believe that everyone deserves to live in safe, affordable housing, and we’ve been practicing construction skills to prepare for this important work. Our hope is to inspire hope—at our work sites and in the wider community.
We’re especially excited to reconnect with Alex Henry, a recent Belmont UMC graduate and the son of Mollie and David Henry. Alex is serving this summer on ASP staff in Harlan County, KY—just 45 minutes from our service center. What a wonderful opportunity for him to make a difference in the world!
We are grateful for your support of our fundraising efforts and humbly ask for your continued prayers—for safe travels, safety at our work sites, and wisdom as we navigate challenges throughout the week.
We will gather on Sunday, June 29, at 8:00 a.m. in the Vanderbilt Imaging parking lot next to the church for a blessing. Please join us to send our team off before early worship! If you can’t be there in person, we know we can count on your prayers from afar. Be sure to watch for updates on social media throughout the week!
