04/28/2016
STUDENTS SPEAK
KJRSTIN HOBERG
“Initially my intent was to go to receive extra credit for class, however, I later realized I did not need the extra credit. Having to get up at 6am on a Saturday was a hard choice, but I felt as if this would be very eye opening opportunity for me and I would be able to see God through it all. After arriving on the site where the tornado hit, it had become very emotional. . . We had the chance to hear a home owner speak of how the tornado had affected him. It had taken his whole house, but even through the all of the chaos God had managed to show the town of Appomattox that He wasn't finished. Left on the remains of this man's home was a page out of the bible. On that page was Acts 15:16-16: "After this I will return, and will rebuild the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down; I will rebuild its ruins, and I will set it up; so that the rest of mankind may seek the Lord, even all the gentiles who are called by My name, says the Lord who does all these things." This mans house is nearly finished in just three short months. It amazes me to see God still continuing to show Himself through it all. God is not done working in this town. I am extremely grateful I chose to go out and see God working in miraculous ways. God is so good.”
JACOB KOURY
"Today, I led a group of 27 people to help a woman named Sandy. The house that was destroyed by the tornado was her mother’s house. There were also two sheds that were completely obliterated by it. I had the opportunity to talk with her a little before the team started and she has been battling her insurance company. The insurance company has told her that she will only collect 10% of what they’d be giving her. The mission began and I, along with a few other people, collected cinder blocks and capstones from the foundation of the home and placed them into the stack that could be reused and the pile that couldn’t be reused. . . She was telling me all that she had left to find: her jewelry box, in which were her wedding ring, some pearls, diamonds, and her father’s release papers from World War 2. It was so hard to think that she lost everything. It hurts my heart and I want to go back out there again with another team before finals and before I go home for the summer. Today was a truly compelling experience. I made some new friends from around campus, along with Ms. Sandy and her neighbors.
LAURA WRIGHT
"I had an awesome time serving on Saturday. It was a lot of hard work, but I was blessed to hear the story of the farmer and get to know some of the people I was serving with. I kept thinking about how a gesture as small as picking up sticks/trash can show the love of God to others. I know we made an impression for our school, but I hope that we more importantly represented our God well. I am so thankful for the opportunity!"
