Back in Chambersburg, PA

Good Morning, Everyone!

This is a special Saturday morning blog.  We did make it back to Chambersburg late last night.  Our group divided into two: one going to visit Margaret and Geneva Pugh in Wyco WV.  Our mission trip two years ago took us to Mount Grove Baptist Church, which they oversee. 

I'll let the other team report below:

report from NASA*:

The day started with breakfast (leftovers) followed by devotions with communion. It’s always special sharing the sacrament with people you’ve been sharing your week with.

The NASA* team stayed a little later at the ASFC.  After packing, we spent some time helping clean up the library building so they can use it as an office.  There was the added bonus of having a few minutes to read with the site director’s daughter.  Greg (foreman from our previous trips) showed up shortly before we left so we were able to give him a mission trip T-shirt and a prayer shall in person.  We left the folk life center at 11:45 and continued our adventure

Tim M. had recommended the Beartown State Park to us which is a small detour – well perhaps farther off the beaten track than usual.  We made a stop at Biscuit World , heavy/heavenly  as always.  Then we headed to the park. It is a beautiful with a nice boardwalk and mossy, mystical feeling.  Very peaceful.

On our way to the park, we passed by a few blueberry picking spots, so on the way back, we stopped for 30 minutes and picked 10lbs between the four of us.

Of course, we had to make a detour to Dairy Queen and then finally at 5:00 we were back on our path. We passed by many beautiful landscapes, a helicopter on a flatbed and a truck full of chickens.

It’s been a good day. Another day of adventure tomorrow and back to Bedford.  All in all, a good way to end our trip.

*Nicholas, Allyson, Susan, Alison

Report from all the rest:

It was a total blessing to visit Margaret and Geneva.  They greeted us at the front door, and when we came into Margaret's house, it was obvious that she was cooking a lot of food.  She served us fried chicken, green beans, corn potatoes, cornbread, sliced tomatoes and cucumbers, with lemon cake and ice cream for dessert.  She also baked a second lemon cake specifically for Pastor John, for him to do with as he pleased.  If all goes well, I'll bring it to church tomorrow!  We had the privilege of passing on the final Mission Festival check to them.  They were overcome with gratitude.  Margaret sang us a song.  Her voice is amazing - she never fails to bring tears to my eyes.

We got to see the church and the inside looked great.  The one big issue they are having is the roof.  They desperately need a new one and got estimates of between $11,000 to $17,000 to repair.  They are planning a "Go Fund Me" project to hopefully raise money.

We then moved on, with one stop in Virginia to take a short walk to stretch our legs.  It was a walk on top of a mountain range that ran parallel to the highway.  The views were stunning.

Believe it or not, both teams met up for dinner at a cool college town burger place in Winchester VA for one last group meal.  Then it was about an hour to the hotel to crash.

At devotions yesterday morning, we talked about love (having covered faith and hope pretty well).   We talked about where we saw love this week.  Among the many things, we saw your love everyday, with every casserole, every cookie and breakfast bread, every time we used a Lowe's card to help Estill.  I talked about the Greek word that Paul uses for love: agape.  This is a love that is giving without reservation.  I talked about the love I saw when eleven people decided to actually pay to travel far away and spend a week working their tails off to help a stranger they didn't even know.  I saw lots of love this week.  I am so proud of this team.  Each member had something to contribute.  There was absolutely no weak link.  

We can wait to get back today and see you at church tomorrow.