First Reformed Church of Pompton Plains

We made it to Moundsville at about 6:45pm. After orientation, a birthday celebration for Sean, and devotions in the Word, we got settled into our rooms. We are looking forward to church tomorrow and a chance to get to know the community before we jump into service on Monday.

We are so grateful for Messiah Lutheran Church this afternoon!  After the Sunday morning church service, they had a potluck for our team and the church members! We enjoyed getting to mingle with other members of the church! 

What a joy it was to worship with Messiah Lutheran Church at their outside service this morning! Our students were able to pray, read, and even serve communion. This church has embraced us so well.

Half of us got to spend the morning at the Community Kitchen. We helped clean, unload a truck, organize donations, cook and serve several families and individuals. It blessed us to work alongside the volunteers who serve so faithfully every week.

Some of our team helped out at the Shepherd’s pantry today sorting through clothes and organized them by size and gender!

We were introduced to a couple who are in a really difficult life situation and aren't able to care for their property right now. We were hot, sweaty, and fill of dirt, but what joy it brought to us and them to clear their hedges and recreate a path to their front door. 

At the Community Kitchen this morning, half of our group helped cook and serve lunch. We had a lot of fun getting to know the ladies in the kitchen and learning how to make new things, like homemade chili mac.

Most of the week we have been painting things, but today we scraped paint off the garage at the Community Kitchen and pastor's garage to prepare it for a new coat of paint. Three of us started the job, but many more hands joined in and made the work faster and easier.

This morning, we were back at the Shepherd’s Pantry and some of our team members helped pack grocery bags for the local community of Moundsville. They really enjoyed it!

Each day this week we are eating lunch with the guests at the Community Kitchen. It is fun to connect with them and hear their stories. They seem to enjoy us too.

Several of us spent time this afternoon painting 28 picnic tables at a local church's pavilion. We enjoyed serving with the secretary and her husband. The tables look very nice in preparation for their fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House.

Carrie was so grateful we were able to paint her fence! She couldn’t believe how much we got done in a short amount of time. And we had fun too, that’s always a bonus 🙂

Just as our fence painters were about to give up on the hope of finishing Carrie's fence, the rest of the team walked through the gate with paintbrushes in hand. As a whole team we finished the job and left a very happy homeowner at the end of the day.

Our morning started very early as we sorted through many cases of plums for food distribution at Shepherds Pantry. There was lots of plum juice and puns flying.

We got to help load carts of food and take them to guest's cars. It was fun to talk to them and hear a few of their stories.

This afternoon 6 of our team members were able to help out at Appalachian Outreach Inc. We found this book and got a kick out of it since our group leader’s name is Dave. 

This afternoon several of us got to spend time at a 99 year old theater that is being restored for the community. We moved wood to storage, cleaned windows and carpets, and vacuumed lots and lots of chairs. When we got done working, we found out that their next play is going to benefit the Community Kitchen we've served at this week. We love being part of the connections in this community!

When we finished our take at the Strand Theater, two of the board members opened up the theater organ. We were so blessed as they played music from Phantom of the Opera and Disney for us. The sound was phenomenal!

Ms. Carrie, the homeowner who's fence we painted, joined us for dinner with a big thank you card and photos for the team. You never know the depth to which someone will be touched by the simplest acts.

Our rec day started by climbing the Grave Creek Mound which gives Moundsville it's name. We also explored the museum full of indian artifacts, marbles, and local blown glass.

Our last dinner was on the water at Prima Marina. So yummy! And we got to watch the barges and speed boats while we ate.