Fountain of Love’s deck is completed

A bunch of tired missioneers completed the new entryway project for Fountain of Love Ministries. We worked over to finish and completed the work around 8 p.m.

Vicky Parks and some of her family saw us off, sending us home with a gift for each person on the work crew. Pastor Parks had to catch some sleep before heading out to work the midnight shift at the mine. His grandson, Jonathan, drove in the final screw to complete the deck and stairs.

Now the church can swing open both of its doors. Our prayer is that the new entry will signal a renewal for the church and the community it serves.

Part of our crew stayed late Friday to finish the deck project. Finally, about 8 p.m., the last deck screw was drilled. We were tired, by happy that we could finish the project.

We’ll post more photos and continue adding blog posts after we return home tomorrow.

Rain threatens, but work goes on

Thursday morning broke wet and cloudy as we went to breakfast. It looked like an all-day rain and we lamented our lack of preparation: no ponchos. We went to the work sites expecting to have our day shortened. But God had other plans, the rain abated, the sun came out and we had a full day of work.

The Summer Adventure continues and the deck and landing at Fountain of Love is really taking shape. Rev. Parks, his wife and the Galloway community have taken us under their wings and we feel like old friends.

Today is our last work day and we hope, Lord willing, to finish our work on time so we can head home Saturday with full hearts, tired feet and grateful minds.

Kids attending Summer Adventure are working on building crafts.

A Petey Picture

We wrote about Petey earlier. Here, the rock chaser is sniffing out a rock that landed in the creek. You guessed it: Petey found the exact rock, even in the water.

On the river

Wednesday is a free day for the mission crew. World Vision provides recreation opportunities for the groups working on the project. Our group spent some time canoeing on the scenic Cheat River.

Everyone made a safe trip down about 4 miles on the river. At times we had to deal with some shoals, light rapids and low water.

Walking on wet, slimy, river rocks in a current is tough to do. All in all we had a great time and the water felt great.

Part of our day off was spent canoeing on the Cheat River near St. George, WV.

Church-ramp update

The handicapped ramp at Fountain of Love Ministries, gets some elbow grease and a new look.

After sanding, the ramp's railings get a fresh coat of paint from the team.

Summer Adventure

Summer Adventure fun for kids.

More than construction

Our mission trip is more than a construction project. Several members of the team, led by Angie Simmons, are helping with Summer Adventure, a program for area children. They are helping spread the Gospel message with other teams working on the World Vision Mission. Several children on our mission team are also participating.

The Summer Adventure program is hosted by a local church in Philippi.

There are other mission groups here for the week from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia and Connecticut.

Kids enjoy a variety of activities indoors and outside.