Rebuilding Chester

The week before college classes started up again for the semester, I (Faith) was thrilled to be able to make a trip to Chester, South Carolina! I slipped in last minute to fill an empty spot of the first team to work with Harvest Call in Chester this year. Since we were the first team of the year, our team of 40 worked together to transport 20 vehicles down to be there for the rest of the teams to utilize this winter. It was interesting and slightly entertaining traveling in such a long caravan to say the least - two way radios for every vehicle added to the excitement :). Thankfully we made it safely and uneventfully and right on time. We only had one vehicle breakdown, and it happened right as we were pulling into the camp, so we can't really complain :). 

For some reason, I had in my mind that South Carolina would be warm. You know, a perfect trip to make this time of year; great break from Illinois freezing temperatures. Unfortunately, reality didn't really match my  expectations. Although we jumped 45 degrees during our first day of traveling (from -20 to +25), it was still cold the first part of the week. Let's just say I learned real fast the art of layering as many clothes as possible :). But actually, by the end of the week it did warm up and the afternoon sun was especially beautiful! 

Throughout the week I spent a couple days out on a job site helping with a roofing project, a couple days out visiting and sharing with the homeowners that Harvest Call is working with, and one day doing cleaning at the camp (because somebody has to do that, right?!). 

lunch one day with a homeowner from last year when Harvest Call did work in Columbia... it was so neat to meet her and get to see her renovated home! 

break for lunch! 

the unplanned color-coordinated camp cleaners :).

pausing on the roof to sing for the homeowner who we got to know pretty well while working there! She was so relieved to have her roof repaired after a couple years of collecting water in large totes in several rooms of her house every time it rained. In fact, it rained one of the last nights our team was in town and she was so amazed and overwhelmingly thankful to be able to sleep all through the night without having to worry about emptying the totes.

How many times have I thought about the roof over my head when it rains? 

Our dorm room crew for the week. If there was a rule about laughing too much, 

I'm sure we broke it:). 

While it was good to get home and back to my family, I'd go back in a heartbeat! In fact, it was kinda hard to face reality. The trip taught me so many things; it reminded me of how many things I take for granted on a daily basis and how I have no excuse to complain about anything!  I came home with a fresh perspective on life and a pile of new friends as a side benefit :).

Harvest Call continues to work in Chester through the end of March and has an amazing set up and ministry there! You can follow along and see more pictures here. And if you ever have a chance to jump in last minute with one of the teams... take it.  :)