First Congregational Church Teens On Mission To Help Folks In Man, WV

MADISON, CT — Twenty-seven teens with 10 chaperones, all members of the First Congregational Church of Madison, left town June 25 for a very small town called Man, just under 600 still live there, in the West Virginia hills and heart of Appalachia.

The mission has the young people sending a week where they will be "building, bonding and (having) experiences unforeseen." The group is working with Appalachia Service Project. They are doing volunteer "critical home repair and replacement."

The mission project goal:

• Making homes warmer, safer, and drier for Appalachian families
• Providing critical repairs to raise homes out of substandard condition
• Building new homes in select locations when homes are beyond repair or affected by a disaster
• Establishing meaningful, long-lasting relationships with homeowners, fellow volunteers, and staff
• Empowering youth and adult volunteers to take on high-impact home repairs
• Emphasizing service through mission trips for youth and adults of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels

The First Congregational Church has been documenting the trip in a daily Facebook post. Day one was leaving Madison for the West Virginia hills.

"Day 2 of the mission trip. Many thanks to Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Lexington for an amazing breakfast. After worshiping with them, we drive the last leg of the trip to Man, WV."

On Monday, it was their first day of work.

"First day at ASP. Feels great to get started."

On Tuesday, just a share about their efforts. And, the blue skies and green hills.

"Coal trains, blue skies, and green hills."