BUMC Appalachia Service Project Team

04/28/2025

Are you or anyone you know interested in joining us on our ASP 2025 trip? We are in need of at least two more volunteers.

How would you like to volunteer for a life changing service experience, one where you can help transform the lives of others but you will come home transformed as well. I am looking for youth and adults (ages 14 and older) that would like to take a 8 day trip to Central Appalachia to help make homes warmer, safer, and drier this summer through the Appalachia Service Project.

We will be leaving June 28th and coming back hom July 5th.

Appalachia Service Project is a Christian ministry open to all people, that inspires hope and service through volunteer home repair in Central Appalachia.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about ASP or you are interested in attending the trip, message me here or contact me at [email protected] to learn more.

01/29/2025

ASP 2025
How would you like to volunteer for a life changing service experience, one where you can help transform the lives of others but you will come home transformed as well. I am looking for youth and adults (ages 14 and older) that would like to take a 8 day trip to Central Appalachia to help make homes warmer, safer, and drier this summer through the Appalachia Service Project.

We will be leaving June 29th and coming back hom July 5th. We will be given a location within the next few months.

The theme for our upcoming service year: Be the Light.

Our theme is based on Matthew 5:16, which says “In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven." (NIV)

This verse, and the larger context of Matthew 5:13-16, encourages us to be the presence of Christ for others through our good works.

Appalachia Service Project is a Christian ministry open to all people, that inspires hope and service through volunteer home repair in Central Appalachia.

If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about ASP or you are interested in attending the trip, message me here or contact me at [email protected] to learn more.

To see past years and upcoming information about this summer, please follow BUMC Appalachia Service Project Team

07/07/2024

Today we were the sermon during the church service. Today we shared our experience on ASP, we shared our why, the work that we completed, and so much more.
If you would like to hear us, please click on the link below. We would love for you to hear the whole service but we speak 42 minutes in.

https://www.youtube.com/live/FS3dgKkKoBM?si=WV52jFejNkBMuuvM

07/06/2024

This morning we left at 4:10am. We had an amazing time on ASP, we are exhausted and ready to come home and share our stories during the service tomorrow. We are all grateful for your support and prayers.

07/06/2024

Day 5

Today was our final day on ASP. We will be leaving around 4:00am tomorrow.

Bob and Julien put up the girders under the house. I don’t have any pictures of their work there, just know that they worked so hard together and did amazing at getting that part complete.

Tracy and Alan worked on the stairs, they almost completed them. The railings weren’t complete but we got one side started so they can use the stairs until the next crew arrives.

Our homeowners made us lunch/dinner again today. We gave them the prayer shawl and crosses we brought with us from BUMC, they absolutely loved them.

We had a huge rainstorm during lunch time, it helped to cool things off for a few hours but made a huge swimming pool for Julien and Bob to get through to get under the house.

Overall we had a fantastic week. We loved spending time with our homeowner and serving the lord. We are so thankful for your comments and likes on each post because we know that means you have been with us this whole time. Please continue to pray for us as we make our drive home in the morning

07/05/2024

Day 4

Wow!!! We can’t believe how fast the week is going. Today was an amazing day.

At breakfast, Bartlett United Methodist Church shared with us that they gave a donation towards the staff fundraiser. They know that we are in need of materials on our worksite, they gave a larger donation to make sure our house could receive all the materials we need. They also wanted to make sure we were delivered our materials before everyone else. It was so kind of them to do. We did receive everything we need to complete all our tasks. Let’s hope we can get it all done for this family tomorrow because they deserve it.

I have to share that both the churches with us, Bartlett United Methodist Church and St Luke’s United Methodist Church, are the kindest people. Every year we attend ASP we have kind groups but these two groups are different. They are so genuinely nice and have the best intentions, always thinking about others. It has been such a blessing having them at our center and us being at the house we have been working on.

Today-
Vicky worked on sanding the wood filler she added to the railings.

Julien, Tracy, and Vicky worked on digging another hole.

Julien and Bob worked on making the second girder.

Tracy, Alan, and Bob framed the stairs.

Tomorrow we hope to finish the stairs, put the girders in place and add as much cement to them as we can, and maybe add a railing if the timing allows us.

We are expecting rain all day tomorrow but that won’t stop us from working.

Our homeowners invited us over for dinner tonight. It was their brother in laws birthday and all the family was celebrating. They made steak, pork loin, hotdogs, beans, potatoe salad, bread, fruit and veggies, and tons of desserts including ice cream cake. It was delicious and so kind of them to include us.

We ended our night with some ice cream from DQ and a beautiful sunset.

🎆🎇HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!!!! 🎇🎆

07/03/2024

Day 3
We got a lot accomplished.

Bob and Julien fixed the gutters

Alan started the stringers for the stairs we are going to build.

Julien finished building one girder

Vicky and Tracy dug two more holes. One that is 16X32X16 and one that is 16X16x16.

Tomorrow is supposed to be rain. It would be nice to cool it off but we are hoping it won’t be a full day rain.

Our family bought us pizza and made us peanut butter fudge. Sooo yummy. We love our family, they are so sweet and kind to us. We enjoy spending our last 30min-hour talking with them.

There is a change of schedule this year. Tonight is our picnic night.

07/03/2024

Day 2

Alan and Bob worked on fixing the ramp some more.

Alan and Julien finished the plumbing

Tracy and Bob started the girder but ran out of materials hoping to complete by the end of the week.

Vicky worked on putting wood filler on the railing.

Vicky and Tracy dug a hole under the house (with some guidance from Julien and Alan) and will have more digging tomorrow.

Bob and Alan worked on the gutter.

It was a slower day because we didn’t have all of our materials. Let’s cross our fingers that we are able to receive our materials to finish the job for our homeowner.

We are looking to make stairs for the deck, finish the girder, dig more holes, fix more on the ramp from the previous teams, maybe start some insulation and the gutter.

07/02/2024

Your wish has been granted. Patricia Hutchinson

07/02/2024

One thing we learned today from our homeowner. There was a flood here two years ago where many people lost lives. One person to this day has still not been found. Our family walked though waist deep water and slept on the hillside behind their house in the rain to stay safe. Their neighbors house is no longer in use due to the flood. Everyone’s belongings were washed up in the neighbors house. One mother survived by chaining her children to her on their roof.

07/02/2024

07/02/2024

Day 1 of work: We are working on a house for an amazing family. The family and their immediate relatives all live on the same street. Our house has an older couple with their son and two granddaughters.

Today:
Vicky ane Tracy worked on sanding the railings to the ramp that a previous team worked on.

Tracy, Alan, Bob worked on fixing the railings on the ramp.

Alan and Bob worked on fixing the bottom planks on the ramp.

Julien with some guidance from Bob and Alan worked on some plumbing under the house.

We all made sure to stay hydrated.

Julien made a friend in the granddaughters. One of them offered him (and only him) pizza for lunch. 🤣