Volunteers complete 2014 Appalachian Servant project

Ten days is not a lot of time to change the world, but it may be just enough to improve it. This thought inspired seven members of the Lutheran Church of Our Savior July 12 as they packed their belongings and set out to change lives, as they have been doing for the past 23 years.

With Pastor Don Schaefer guiding their way, Mike Price, Christine Minion, Cindy McClain, Kelsey Minion, Joey Quinn, and Ken Palmer trekked nearly 10 hours from Rehoboth Beach to Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Asheville, N.C., for the Appalachian Servant Event. Waiting for them there were 60 others. Volunteers all laid out their sleeping bags in the spare rooms donated by the church for the week.

Founded in 1981 by Schaefer, the Appalachian Servant Event has been a guiding light for the mission of improving the lives of those in need. The operation changed hands among several host churches over the years, and stretched from North Carolina to Virginia, to Maryland and back again. Some of the youth who once participated have grown and returned as pastors, three of them now coordinating and managing the event. Pastor Kevin Jud from Ohio, Pastor Chris Fairbaim of Michigan, and Pastor Peter Kufahl from Minnesota all continue to participate, bringing with them new families and able hands ready to give back.

Strenuous volunteer work included eight or more hours each day of digging drainage trenches, installing septic systems by hand, building houses, and repairing structural damage. Evenings brought a return to Emmanuel Lutheran Church for showers and meals provided by the host before worship and individual prayer.

Each summer brings a new band of youth eager and willing to spend a portion of their summer rebuilding homes that are broken, and establishing relationships that are nurturing and lasting.

Lutheran Church of Our Savior is lat 20276 Bay Vista Road, Rehoboth Beach; call 302-227-3066 for more information.