Dell Lutheran's Youth Mission's Trip

Love ● Build ● Help ● Pray

APPALACHIA MISSIONS TRIP 2007
Dell Lutheran's Youth Mission's Trip

by Breauna Cummings

With the mission to love, build, help, and pray, sixteen Dell youth and leaders embarked on a journey to fulfill God’s call on their life to lend a hand to the people of the southeast Appalachian Mountains. July 7th marked the starting point of an expedition that would change their lives and the lives of those they came into contact with in countless ways both big and small, and by July 14th the missionaries came back with a mission accomplished and lives ablaze with passion for God.

With the Lord’s perfect provision the group made it safely to Eagle Ranch in Copperhill, Tennessee. The roughly 18 hour drive’s success was wonderful, but if you ask anyone who went on the trip I believe you’d find that it was what happened on the ride that stuck out to them most. From deep conversations about creation, angels, struggles, and God’s plans for life to binging on animal crackers, figuring our crossword and brain teaser puzzles, and making silly videos about Chattanooga, Tennessee, the ride was one of the very best parts. This is where some of the real bonding and getting to know people occurred. Stereotypes were broken, friendships were strengthened, faith’s were challenged and solidified, memories were made-- never to be forgotten, and above all, God was glorified.

Beyond the journey there and back, the missionaries experienced almost a whole new world as they found themselves at Eagle Ranch. The climate was an immediate change as the humidity and altitude had risen as they got to Copperhill. It was especially noted as hikers climbed the mountainside and struggled for breath the first time they tried. As the week drew on the missionaries grew accustomed to the atmosphere change as well as many other new things.
Close quarters with little time or space to yourself, tree roots that loved to trip people, classic huge meals, mountainous views, totally different kinds of neighborhoods than back home, southern accents, constantly searching for Rachel or Beth to get a key for the girl’s cabin, boys tennis shoes piled on top of fans to dry, quirky guides, rain that soaked clothes lines time and time again, card games, Frisbee (where we found Eythan’s gifting…), awesome nightly and daily devotion times (thanks Beth and everyone who shared), campfires, and conversations galore were found to be a big part of the missionaries lives around the ranch.

Now, another huge part of the missionaries lives were work days. The mission field consisted of two homes that needed siding, a floor corner raised up, paint, and various odd jobs completed. Let’s not forget the second part of the mission that consisted of two sisters’s hearts to be touched, and countless children’s everyday lives made extraordinary. All these things were accomplished and more, and the missionaries’ lives were changed too. God definitely showed up in the attitudes of wet workers, willingness of individuals to do whatever task was set before them, love shown in playing with and letting the little children help out, hard work, and simply getting jobs done.

White water rafting, volleyball, Blue Grass music and barn dancing, low ropes coarse challenges, rock wall climbing, and more were fun events for the group to dive into. Whether as a team, or as individuals the missionaries completed them all and left an impression on themselves, their teammates, and all the people around them. The team learned a lot about teamwork and cooperation as well as giving it your all and thinking of abstract new approaches to things. The individuals were cheered on and encouraged by their friends and accomplished many feats and experienced things that will always remain in their memories.

This trip was not just a trip, it was a journey to unite ideas and people to accomplish God’s purposes by loving, building, helping, and praying for the people of the Appalachian Mountains and for each other. As this purpose came to life and was fulfilled, lives were touched, friendships were changed, and the group really became one in the spirit and the Lord to show God’s love.