From Bound Brook to Appalachia

Video from our ASP Center of our week there

2011-07-12T10:41:00.003-04:00

Echo Repeat

2011-07-07T23:13:00.000-04:00

We are team Echo, Tomi Lee, Kaylin, Andy, Rob, John A, John O and Katy. Our homeowner is Sharon, who is a retired school teacher and actually retired from the school we are currently staying in. The floors of her home were severely damaged by the flood waters coming off the mountains behind her house, and considered by ASP unsafe. In the kitchen area we installed new floor joists, sub flooring and plan to tile before the end of the week. The living room sub flooring had been done previously and we are installing a new laminated floor. There was some leaky plumbing, so we shut off the cold water to the kitchen and will repair that tomorrow.

The whole week with the team has been wonderful and as usual the entire ASP experience has been fantastic. Thanks.

John A.

Diary From West Virginia.

2011-07-07T22:40:00.000-04:00

Day 1

Its Mediocre Joke Monday, July 4^th, and I understand it’s a holiday but it is turning into a bad joke. What is usually our mosey Monday is becoming very frustrating. The Moseying is now a full work stoppage and everyone is getting antsy. WE NEED TO BE WORKING!! Materials are finally delivered around 2:30 just in time for the monsoon to hit. We all race back to the van and try to come up with a game plan. One discussion leads to another and before you know it hours have passed. I reconnect with Chelsea and Erin and get to know Conner Rachel and Taylor better. So this gray cloud of a Monday did indeed have a silver lining.

Day 2. It’s Tattoo Tuesday and I am hoping that this day will be more productive than yesterday, but really how could it not be? We arrive at our site at 9:30. We are waiting for our deck flooring to be delivered. And waiting, and waiting… and waiting. If nothing else happens this week God has a lesson plan featuring patience and I guess I am a very slow learner.

Day 3. Wide load Wednesday and we do a LOAD of work. Yippee! Old porch has been removed (gently), band joists attached and today we get to lay the deck floor. The heat is BRUTAL as I watch the sweat drip from Mickey’s baseball hat brim onto Rachel’s pants. But trooper that she is she just quietly moves her leg. That how it is with all of crew Lima, we have our moments and then we all go about the task at hand.

Day 4 Tie-dye Thursday – what a wacky unconventional week it has been so far. We discover that we work so well together that our job here is almost finished. A few more measurements, a few more cuts, a few more nails to be hammered… and then what.? It is only Thursday. Well four year old ZKaylee and five year old Joshua Bryant the Second (as he introduces his self) comes to see if they can help us with “hammerin’” . Before you know it cousin Levi comes over some dogs, a cute kitty, a few bike rides and piggy back rides later, the family that we really hadn’t connected with reverses all of that and we are bonding. The billboard on the church had it right: “God has no problems, only plans”.

Adriana

Team India Bravo

2011-07-07T22:05:00.001-04:00

Laura, Andy, Zach M., Kelsey, Arthur, Danika and Kim.

We are working on a home that needs a new roof. Our family has lived here for generations. The road is named after them. We’re working hard on a very hot, now water proof roof to keep them warmer, safer and drier!.

We have some great company! Sierra is 10, she will be in 5^th grade next year and she has a new bike. She can ride her bike all over the mountains – AMAZING! And if you haven’t seen the pics on FB already, well, Sierra has the most adorable puppies!. We smile and work with God’s love shining down on us – what more could we ask for!

See you soon,

Team India B.

Hi Church

2011-07-06T22:48:00.002-04:00

I know you are just itching to know how all of usare doing on team Zulu. On Monday we didn’t do to much since the window we got was to big. We ended up leaving early and having to spend at least 3 hour at Walmart and Dairy Delight (which is an Ice Cream Parlor) It was still a pretty good day because we got to meet most of the family who are so nice.

Well yesterday was a much more productive day. We fixed where the window was supposed to go and installed it. We also put drywall around the window. It is so much brighter in the kitchen with that window in. Also we go to really meet the kids of the family. They are too cute! Just to give you a picture imagine two little kids a boy and a girl and boy wrapping three teenage girls with measuring tapes.

(Samantha DePiero)

Hello everyone. This trip has been awesome. I had no idea what I was getting into when I signed up for ASP. The kids are so much fun and joyful. Today, day 3 we finished spackling and taping up the drywall. Stacy, Jenna, Sam and myself put down a tile floor. I even got down on the floor and spread compound and placed a few tiles, but Stacy did most of the work – the floor looks beautiful and she is so proud of her work. Zach B., Paul and Joe replaced electrical boxes. We are getting to know our family and they are getting to feel comfortable with us. We are bonding with Thomas and Kelsey who are 5 and 3 respectively. We are looking forward to painting and completing the floor.

Love, Kathleen

Roofs and more Roofs

2011-07-06T22:47:00.000-04:00

This week, throughout the high heart of the mountains we started to rebuild and reconstruct the roof of a couple’s home. The roof started as what we thought would be simply, gently removing the layers of shingles and roofing material and laying new, better material on top. When we opened up the roof we found a roof and a family in dire need of help. Many sections of the roof were rotted away, several sections have multiple layers of roofing on it, 7 in one area and one section of the roof was built using 2x4’s over an old section in an attempt to clear the roof of water. Instead it caused a place for water to settle. We are doing our best to fix the home, so the couple, their daughters, and their grandson, along with their many cats and dogs will never have to worry about their roof leaking or falling again.

Becca

Great Day for Lima

2011-07-06T22:45:00.000-04:00

Decking started going down on the porch. Kaylee, the 4 year old girl came out to see the progress. Dave, the homeowner stayed with us a short while, said how nice it looked and, praised the job we are doing. Should finish the deck on Thursday, then build a step on Friday. 2 days to go.

Mickey, Adriana, Connor, Chelsea, Erin, Taylor, Rachel

Awesome

2011-07-05T21:33:00.000-04:00

First work day of ASP 2011, on Team Awesome (Ben D. Linda O., Colleen C., Maria F., Mike G., and Matt S.) a very heavy job replacing the ceiling of Mr. and Mrs. Delta with sheetrock.

Upon arrival, the friendly face of Mrs. Delta is a great sign. While inspecting the ceiling to be replaced, the shining face of Mr. Delta popped up. After a friendly intro we started clearing out the room. After 45 minutes of walking back and forth, the room was finally ready to begin the actual job.

Without ladders, none of us were tall enough to reach the ceiling. Feeling hopeless, we decided to wait for ASP to drop us off some free standing ladders. After 5 minutes of unsuccessful problem solving, Mr. Delta walks in with a triple pronged hook with the additional 4 feet. Mike, Matt and I were able to pull the ceiling panels off. After 10 minutes of fun for the boys, clean-up began. Still the problem of the ladders dragged on.

In this time, we spent it getting to know the couple. As we learned from the sweet and outgoing duo, Mr. Delta is a retired paratrooper as well as a cop while Mrs. Delta is a retired shop worker in town. We even got to meet the homebound neighbor. Another very, very sweet lady. First request from her was to buy a watermelon and eat it all!! Upon arrival with the watermelon, we broke for lunch.

Waiting for the ladders still, we got to watch the Pittsburg Pirates win and our ladders arrived! After the arrival of out ladders, we were able to make easy and fast work of taking out nails in the ceiling and putting up our first drywall sheet. As we left, we planned to make tomorrow the best we could and get the drywall all up. As I quote Matt Crawford and Mariel Slater “Best Monday Ever”.

Ben Dettelback

Day Two in Lima Land.

2011-07-05T21:30:00.000-04:00

Much progress today. Chelsea & Erin back to hammering (not their fav. thing) Taylor, Connor, Rachel on the saw. We put most of the joists in place. We should start decking tomorrow.

Mickey, Adriana

Slow Start with Team Lima

2011-07-05T21:29:00.002-04:00

Monday is demo day. We are removing and replacing a side covered porch.

Demo went so much easier than thought we were done by lunch and with no new wood to start construction. Slow start, quick finish. Left a lot of time to get to know: Mickey, Adriana, Connor, Chelsea, Erin, Taylor, and Rachel.

Mickey.

Just a note

2011-07-05T21:28:00.000-04:00

Just a note: we arrived at the ASP center safely Sunday afternoon. Sorry we have not blogged sooner, but we have been busy locally. Thanks to everyone.

Paul

ASP NEWS

2011-03-08T11:26:00.000-05:00

· ASP Planning Team Meeting this Thursday at 6 PM: Anyone (adult or youth) interested in helping to plan this summer’s trip is welcome to join us at the church

(reception area) this Thursday from 6-7:30 PM. We will be discussing this Sunday’s Kick-Off dinner and fundraising expectations for participants.

· Kick-Off Dinner this Sunday at 7 PM: The official first event of the ASP season is here! This Sunday we will meet in the Cave (church basement) for a kick-off dinner

and organizational meeting. We still haven’t learned the exaction location of our assignment, but I am told it will be in West Virginia. Maybe we will know more by Sunday.

This event is for participants and their parents. Dinner begins at 7:00 and we hope to be done by 8:30 PM.

· ASP Applications due March 28: Please make every effort to get your registration materials and fee in by March 28^th. We have a limited number of ASP spots and your

Are not promised a spot without your registration forms. If money is an issue please see me (Linda) or Joan Bloomer to make arrangements. No one will be left behind

because of $$$$!

· ASP Spaghetti Dinner, March 25, 5-8 PM: Our first fundraiser of the year is just around the corner. You can volunteer to help, invite friends and neighbors to join us or

buy a ticket and eat! The cost is $9 for adults, $6 for children 5-12 and free for children age 4 and under.

Day Five, Adult Appalachia Service Project, Feb 2011

2011-02-25T18:33:00.007-05:00

On our last day we woke up hoping for a good day so that we could finish the work on the deck. While eating breakfast a fast moving rain storm came through with strong winds. We saw that it was moving through rapidly and would clear in time for us to go out to our work site and complete the desk. On our drive out to our work site, we stopped to take pictures of the creek which was very high after all of the rain. At the site we removed the tarps and got to work. With the bottom part of the deck completed, our task today was to build the top part of the deck complete with posts, railings, spindles and a gate. We worked hard all day and were able to complete our tasks by the end of the work day. During the day, we presented our host, Loraine, with a rocking chair we all chipped in to purchase and also a quilt made by the Arbor Glen quilters. Pictures for the day will provide you with images to go with the description above.

Work Hard all Day, Play at Night

2011-02-24T16:06:00.003-05:00

On day three, after accomplishing a lot at our work project and after dinner, we journeyed a short distance to Pennington Gap where we sat around to listen to some of the local musicians playing Blue Grass. You can see and hear some of what we enjoyed for over an hour and a half by going to http://gallery.me.com/tedsettle/101038

If you are PC user, I recommend using Firefox, not Internet Explorer and select small movie, not medium.

Day Four Adult Appalachian Service Project Feb 2011

2011-02-24T15:35:00.004-05:00

As you will see from a short video and other images, we woke up to rain on day four. With panchos on, we did finish attaching the deck boards. Later some of our group returned to place a tarp over the deck to try to create a dry workspace for tomorrow. It is predicted to rain in the morning but be sunny in the afternoon. We are hoping to finish a railing on the porch deck before we have to leave. We also decided that our host would need a comfortable rocker to use on her new deck, so we talked with some of the staff. Keith located a store in Pennington Gap, where we had visited the night before for Bluegrass Music played by local musicians. Jane and Ted drove over to the store. We liked the rocking chair so much that we decided to purchase one for ourselves to bring home with us. While in the store we observed a woman siting behind the counter crocheting (she turned out to be the store owner's mother) and asked her about what she was making. Her response, "A prayer shawl." Imagine that!! Jane asked her where she gets her yarn and she said she orders it and gave Jane one of the catalogs from which she orders.

Day Three Photos, Adult Appalachian Trip, Feb 2011

2011-02-23T18:30:00.009-05:00

On the way to our site, we passed a couple of old homes worth pictures. In the initial images, you can see the structure we erected for the porch at our site and also you can see Loraine's house in relation to Trading Creek. During the day Paul and Jane finished putting the spindles on the gate and were able to get the gate hung and working smoothly (Loraine tested it). As we worked, we noticed two inspectors sitting up high in nearby trees, making sure our work was acceptable. For the porch, we hung the joists and began the process of laying down the deck. Because of the length of the porch, 3 inches longer than our 14 foot 5/4" X 6" deck boards, we placed two extra joists and will put one of the deck boards on each end of the porch and lay the other deck boards between them. During our work, the power went off in the hollow (we thought we had blown a fuse), so we reverted to old technology, sawing by hand. We will finish up the decking tomorrow, if we can beat the rain. We also began digging post holes for the stairs coming off the porch.

The day was beautiful and sunny, even though, as you can see from the way Betsy was dressed in an early picture, it was cold to begin with.

Photos from Day 2, Adult Appalachian Trip

2011-02-22T20:26:00.005-05:00

Pictures depict our work today. For the porch across the front of the house, we carried water up from Trading Creek to mix and poured 16 bags of concrete for the six 6' X 6' posts, framed the floor of the porch bolting 2" X 8" X 14' boards across the front and back and 2" X 8" X 8' on each side. The spindles on the side porch were finished as were the facing boards on the risers. Bolts were added to attach the bottom of the stringers to the posts and the ground was leveled at the bottom of the porch steps. Paul, Jane and Betsy completed the basic frame of the gate and cut the spindles. The gate will be hung tomorrow. Pictures of the day show some of these activities.

John picks Tuesday

2011-02-22T19:41:00.000-05:00

Hello BBPC.

We are the ASP group known as Moon Unit. Jonesville - as usual - is a great center to be at. We have been busy finishing a side porch and building a 14' x 8' deck 8' off the ground in front of the house. There are two doors in front of the home with no way to use them (they open to open air now) Our host Loraine is a friendly elderly woman who loves to chat. She says her and her friends will dance on the deck. She will also enjoy the deck with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

It's really nice having three new additions (newbies) to the adult trip, Jane, Ted and Betsy. It's amazing and a blessing how these trips always are wonderful. We'll have more stories and Ted will provide many pictures. Also we learned from Ted that it takes 6 Presbyterians to count to five. You can always learn something new (from him.)

John and John. (A and C)

Day One Adult Appalachian Trip Feb 2011

2011-02-22T17:45:00.012-05:00

Members of this year's adult work group includes: John Almendinger, John Casale, John O'Melia, Betsy Kamienowski, Jane and Ted Settle. Our assignment for this week is to put a porch on the front of Loraine's house, our host for the week. The porch is to be 14 X 8. Steps coming down to a platform and then continuing with a second set of steps to the ground. In addition we are to finish another porch of the side of her house by adding spindles to the existing porch structure, and facing boards on the step risers. Paul also found out that Loraine would like a gate on this porch. Today we dug six post holes at least 30 inches deep and 18 inches in circumference and set and leveled the posts so that on Tuesday, after the inspector checked out our work we could mix and pour the concrete around the posts. The three Johns, Betsy and Ted began the digging the holes for the posts, cutting through some rocks and nearer the foundation of the house clay. The long pry bars came in very handy as did the post-hole diggers. Paul began cutting the spindles to complete the porch and then Jane, Betsy and Paul attached the spindles. John A and John O helped add some facing pieces to the porch steps. Loraine came out frequently and carried on conversations with any one who would listen. In addition her dogs and one cat kept us company. Pictures of the first day accompany the blog (look at the pictures from the end to the beginning, that is the correct order).

Untitled

2010-07-24T00:01:00.002-04:00

Coming on this trip I really didn’t know what to expect. When I heard that we were painting part of an old porch and putting up railings plus making stairs I was a little disappointed. In all of the stories I heard before coming on ASP all the projects that had been done seemed much more meaningful than a porch. My group was told that our homeowner Olmalene had leukemia and is in remission and gets retested next month. Her son 49 year old Arnie has an undiagnosed bone disease that keeps him in pain. The new porch was to be made and the floor of it painted so when it rained on it she wouldn’t slop and fall like she has in the past. This made work seem more meaningful but it was still tedious and boring. Instead of a mosey Monday we had a couple of mosey days, but as the week progressed my attitude changed.

In addition to the porch we took on under pinning in the back and got to know Olmalene and her situation better. Raw sewage is flowing out from underneath Olmalene’s trailer making her front yard muddy and pretty smelly. Her toilet doesn’t flush well at all and her sink backs up. This hit me pretty hard because I am fortunate enough to have great plumbing and to find her plumbing so scary. This really pushed me to want to make Olmalene’s port and house as beautiful as possible.

As we were finishing the porch I could tell it would be well used by Olmalene and her two dogs when we pulled up Friday Olmalene and her dogs Spanker and Tinkerbelle were sitting on the porch relaxing in the sun, waiting for us.

Friday was the most amazing day of ASP for me because it was awesome to sit on the porch with Olmalene knowing that she loved what we had done. I finally understood that ASP is a week reminder that everything in life is hit or miss. Sometimes you get the more exciting jobs and some days you get the tedious stuff. Sometimes you get the rain washing away your fresh coat of paint and some days you get sun drying it. However I am happy to say that I am no longer disappointed in my project. I know that we have been a huge help to Olmalene by giving her something to really enjoy. All this week I’ve heard how the theme this year is racing and everything is it or miss. The rain washing away paint, the jobs you get but the point is to keep moving to find joy and meaning in things. How the most important part is to finish. In ASP and life we will hit snags in the road and fall down but we have to get up and keep moving. Olmalene and Arnie are running hard health races but hopefully the porch will be a place where they can relax, find joy and strengthen themselves before tacking off for the finish line.

MULAN – Friday 7/23/10

2010-07-23T23:40:00.000-04:00

We are Mulan; a team of seven! In total we come with 10 years of experience. Unfortunately seven years worth of that experience is in only one person – our fearless leader, Paul. The other six of us have experiences ranging from 2 years (Adriana, Andy, & Danielle), to “newbies” (Jenna, Katie & Zach M.). What we lack in experience we certainly make up for in enthusiasm & determination.

We have been charged with the following duties:

Lay new sub-floor and carpeting in the living room
Repair wall panel in kitchen

But being the intrepid adventurers that we are, we also took on the following tasks:

Remove wall panel in the living room
Remove panel in the bathroom & put green board over existing doorway between the bathroom & bedroom.
Begin footing for front door decking

Here are a few words from Mulan…

Paul – This is a unique ASP. I have another wonderful crew. I have 2 excellent co-Leaders & hard working youths. We poured piers for a front porch. This was a new experience for me. We were able to divide and conquer the sub-flooring in the living room & walls for the bathroom.

Adriana – Very happy to report that I am officially NOT a “newbie” this year! But that means I will have to step up the very little “game” that I have! We were fortunate to have most of our jobs indoors, so we were protected from the sun and rain, BUT the heat still managed to find us. Its always a wonderful experience at ASP, but my favorite part has to be everyone coming together as a team. Adults, teens, people who may not have had the chance to meet; maybe not even talk to each other, but they talk and plan and accomplish great things together on ASP.

Zach M. – This was a really different experience for me, I learned a lot of construction things, while still having a lot of fun. Flooring, the use of a Shale bar (VERY fun) and how to pour cement. Avoid getting cement on your gloves. You’ll thank me for that piece of information.

Jenna – My ASP experience was very exciting. I was very surprised to see how different it is from where we live. I had no idea that a few states away things could be so very different. It was definitely fun to meet all these new people.

Katie – I believe that 4-Square will be an Olympic sport. Bound Brook will field a team and Katy Goodson WILL be the Team Captain. I learned that 3 people working in a trailer bathroom are 2 people TOO many (yes, you will thank me for that advise).

Danielle – I found this ASP easier than last year. Less challenging would be a better word. Maybe its because I am not a “newbie” or maybe its because I didn’t have to do any “under-pinning” this year. This year still required a lot of effort because we still needed to get the job done OR as much as possible in this week. I really liked the fact there were a lot of “newbies” this year. It gave me a chance to meet new friends.

Andy – It was great seeing the expression on John’s face (our family’s son) when he talked about playing horseshoes. I learned to tread lightly when installing sub-flooring (you WILL thank me for that piece of advice too!)

A Haiku by Matt Crawford

2010-07-23T22:45:00.003-04:00

Hercules is cool

Red German Shepherd, lab mix

Please, can I keep him

Yes, we have a dog named Hercules on our site – along with Sobe, Fancy, Delilah and Tiny… oh and the cats…Freedom and her three kittens. Our house is filled with pets who are loved by their owner, Lee. Lee is a 47 year old single homeowner. She is in fact exactly one year and one day older than me! We hare many interests and more than a few idiosyncrasies.

We have been working on a variety of projects on our site. Matt, Rebecca, Leigh and Ryan have been installing a tin roof. It has been fairly hot this week so it has not always been pleasant on a hot tin roof. Lee, Doug and I have been working on numerous projects today we worked on insulating the kitchen. And of course, our faithful foreman, John, has been guiding and directing all of the projects.

But the work on the site is only part of the ASP experience. The joys for me this trip have come in watching the friendships and community form. Our kids have been phenomenal. They are reaching out to each other and to the kids in the other churches, and let me tell you, they know how to have fun. There have been dodge ball tournaments, basketball and of course, four square. They also have had profound conversations about the region, their sites and spirituality.

The adults also form a tight-knit community. It always seems that we each find our calling – Laura Still is the go-to-girl for everything, Pamela has kept us all cracking up, Chris Anderson and Doug Flannelly – tire changers of the year, the Flannellys and the Friedrichs – with fantastic new edition Friedrich, Katie – well I guess there is no real way to describe that crazy clan. Anyway, I looked around at dinner tonight and thought “I love these people” NO, it’s not a shock but is overwhelming just the same.

Laura Goodson

ASP2010 Buchanan County, VA

2010-07-22T23:40:00.001-04:00

Wednesday – Evening Gathering (EG)

Tonight’s EG is a Prayer Walk – 6 stations each having an individual activity or prayer. In no particular order: a Footwash station – to wash your neighbors feed, a Prayer station – to pray or contemplate, a Music station – to listen and be contemplative of the musical lyrics, a station on Buchanan county – where you can make any prayer or comment you wish, a Prayer Box – to place in what is heavy on your heart, a comment sheet bearing the quotation “There is no hope for Central Appalachia”. We travel to one, some or all of these stations as an individual in prayer.

This can be a pretty heavy activity. It brings all kinds of feelings and emotions to the surface – for us to review, contemplate, reject, accept or change. It is always an emotional time for me. I think about my family – Sandra and JT, my family past – Mom and Dad, my siblings, my family at Bound Brook Presbyterian (BBPC), my family in youth group and my family in ASP.

I have many families this week. My home family, my Chicago family – all of whom I miss. I have traveled here with my family – BBPC adults and youth. I work here giving (what little) talent I have to a family – no my family in Appalachia. And I have an ASP family – the staff of ASP.

At the beginning of each week we have an opportunity to sign up to be “surrogate” parents for a day for the staffers. The staffers are college students hired by ASP to manage the center. It is strictly voluntary. Not every day or every parent gets filled. Usually I sign up for a day. This week Wednesday was my Day. Adriana singed up to be Mom.

We arranged for a little “care package” from “home” and then during the day hand out hugs and check to see if they have brushed their teeth and other parental admonitions.

It is a fun thing – but really these “kids” have arranged for our care during this week. This center has five “staffers”, Becky, Laura, Tayli, Spencer and Kyle. These young adults have had 2 weeks of training, a week to interview assistance applicants and decide on whom to assist and then start receiving “volunteers”, coordinating their feeding, sleeping and working. Each day they travel to the hardware store to keep the work going and then travel to all the work – family – sites to see how it is going and to answer questions or just to listen.

There are so many qualities that they have. Each one is an individual – and like any family recognizes it’s differences but pulls in unison. They bring their lives with them, but as the weeks progress they realize the love that God has and can see it in their ASP families and in the volunteers and community they are in.

Frustration is a way of life on ASP. Dealing with those pesky human beings is always interesting. But their challenges include the bureaucracies we have.

So what am I trying to say? These staffers deserve our applause and support. Even though I don’t keep in touch with all of them – thinking back they are all part of my family.

God’s blessings.

Paul

Electronics in Appalachia (or the lack thereof…)

2010-07-22T23:17:00.002-04:00

I’m in Appalachia this week – Buchanan County, Virginia to be exact. No radio, no TV, no cell reception.

Here is the music that fills my ears: Zach and Andy tap, tap, tapping on their “magic crowbars,” prying staples out of an old subfloor. Jenna rounds out the percussion section as she gently chisels off the old glue from the joists. Bo lends a hand thump thumping on the shale bar breaking off several pieces of long buried boulders.

Paul is on the cement drill, long high-pitched whine as he breaks through the cement. Danielle and Katie trading places on the handsaw, slow to begin, then faster… z z z Z Z Z until the 2X2 falls with a “clack.” Cement pouring into porch supports, creating the sound of a rain stick; all pieces of the orchestra meshing together to create our symphony. Who needs an iPod?

I have front row seats (my twelve by two wood plank resting on cinderblocks). Today I am mesmerized by my show of monarch butterflies too many to count settling in the mud. Not sure if they are drinking, eating, or just trying to cool off, maybe all three. John tells me they come to his front yard every summer (lucky). I see Puppy wanting desperately to come over but not quite sure if she should trust this stranger. She finally drinks all the water from her new Disney bowl that Danielle and Jenna bought for her. I am pretty sure she is smiling. There are orange moths and brown moths and silver moths whose wings are really periwinkle when they take flight. There are more greens on the mountain and nearby trees that could ever fit into one 64-Color Crayola box. Same for the different shades of browns that are stacked neatly in the wood pile. All first run shows here. Who needs Nat. Geo.?

Our conversations run from leveling a post to how to apply “Liquid Nails” (in a sin wave). I listen to Jenna deep in conversation with Billie about her life and her babies. She is telling Jenna about her wish for the paint on her kitchen cabinets: “the trim will be white while the rest will be light tan.” Together they remove and paint the kitchen cabinets.

I listen to Bo tell me “ghost stories” about his trailer. The old woman dressed in black who waits on his sofa until he finds her wedding band in the kitchen cabinet he was cleaning. He never sees her again… shivers.

Paul is discussing the intimate details of horseshoes with John. There may be some “trash talking”, I’m not sure, but we’ll find out soon enough at the family picnic tonight.

I’m very happy my cell is off and in the car’s glove compartment.

Adriana (Thursday evening)

“Journey to… Wal-Mart”

2010-07-22T23:16:00.002-04:00

Going to Wal-Mart, an ASP tradition.

Unfortunately, it was about 45 minutes away from the center. Not knowing where we were going, we let a GPS lead us there. It took at least 45 minutes of winding roads with steep drops and no guard rails through the mountains before finally getting to a main road. The GPS then led us to some smaller roads that seemed to be a culdesac. We turned around and the GPS told us to turn right… into a CORNFIELD!!! But we could see the Wal-Mart sign, so close…

Ignoring the GPS, we figured out our own way to Wal-Mart. Overall, it took us an hour and a half for what was supposed to be a 45 minute trip. Stocked up on food and equipped with sweatshirts (Chris drives with the windows open), we started our trip back to the center, returning at around midnight (lights out is 11 PM).

Danielle (Wednesday evening)

Day One…We’re Off to Roanoke!

2010-07-22T23:15:00.002-04:00

One the way there, Hanna sat on the cooler and played her guitar while Dani sang! When she was done with that we played Apples to Apples. It was really fun. When we got to the half way point, it was time to set ourselves up at a church in Roanoke, Virginia. We went out to dinner at the Red Palace, a Chinese buffet. I went with Dani, Hanna, Mr Hauer and these 2 boys: Arthur and Zack. Zack ate THREE plates full of food. Then we played Apples to Apples with Arthur and Zack. We watched an intense game of 4 Square. That was really fun to watch. Then finally we went to sleep on the basement floor of the church. THE BASEMENT FLOOR OF A CHURCH IS NOT VERY COMFORTABLE

– Jenna

Buzz Light Year

2010-07-21T19:03:00.001-04:00

A ditch, okay, no problem….well, after digging a 75 foot drainage ditch through the rock, shale and clay on Monday (now known as Muddy Monday) we agreed if the drainage ditch was done by end of day Tuesday we were going to Dairy Queen. The ditch keeps filling up with water, it rains (hard), mud everywhere, one leader slides down a hill, the other leader uses his belt to pull her back up (everyone’s fine) and the ditch is completed on Tuesday. We were all so excited as we picked and shoveled through the last section of drainage ditch. We videotaped the water flowing through the ditch, down a hill and into a creek away from the house!! We just helped a family stay DRIER!! We jumped for joy and celebrated!

Simba

2010-07-21T18:41:00.002-04:00

(Tuesday)

We are the Simba crew, consisting of four new bees. Alexis, Tomi, Dave and Connor, with the help of 3 veterans, Kira, Andy and John O. We have the pleasure to work for 3 ladies who are sisters that live in the house they grew up in. We’re the third crew that has been siding their home and hopefully we’ll be able to finish it for them. They are very sweet, kind and generous. Everyday at noon they make us lunch. Our first day of work instead of having PBJ sandwiches we were served a wonderful feast, consisting of Corn on the Cob (fresh), tomatoes – yellow and green, beans, corn gravy, corn bread and fresh yellow lemonade. The second day at lunch we had pasta, coleslaw, fruit, stuffing, RED VELVET CAKE! and of course fresh yellow lemonade. We have the pleasure of coming back to the center and bragging about our wonderful meals making everyone jealous, but wait, there’s more. . . If you think having a home cooked meal everyday is great, we also get the pleasure of playing with a 4 month old puppy name Lusious, who always seems to chew his way out of his leash to come play with us. We will keep you posted about our fun & tasty lunches J

Jasmine and Great Food

2010-07-21T18:00:00.000-04:00

(Tuesday)

We are Jasmine (John A – Trish F – Kim h – Melissa D – Kevin J – Tyler S) and today was a great day for fellowship, fun and accomplishment. Our assignment was to remove steps from the back of Shak’s (our Host) trailer and build for him a landing and re-attach steps to the new landing. Our new posts are cemented in, the new landing is framed – tomorrow decking and stairs go on. We’ve also finished with ½ of caulking to seal up gutter leaks. Our host Shakk is young (about the age of John A – 60 something) and just great. He feeds us with more food than I can explain here and we just love him. Thank you BBPC for supporting these ASP experiences.

John A

Mosey Monday (?)

2010-07-19T21:42:00.000-04:00

First day on the job, the most interesting mosey Monday I’ve ever had on all my three years of ASP. My crew is working on a house with 4 children, a pony, chickens and at least nine dogs. We quickly learned to never leave the doors open on the vans, considering in the first 10 minutes of getting to the site, the chickens were in the vans and in Doug’s tool box.

Then later on in the day, I let the 4 year old, Jacklyn help me prime the wood. By the time we were done, she had painted the pony, and the pony had painted the dog.

Another important lesson we learned was to not feed the pony. Doug fed the pony in the beginning of the day and proceeded to leave. The pony would not leave because it wanted more food. It nibbled on Sue and touched her butt, which she thought was me at first.

Along with the many others things that went on during our day as we were leaving one of our vans took a wrong turn, and Sue and the rest of my group went the wrong way and traveled up the mountain. We eventually found them when Doug and I turned our van around and came back for them. Overall it was a great and exciting day, and I can’t wait to go back tomorrow.

-Sam.

PS. I wrote this and got out of my chore for the day.

Here We Go -- ASP Buchanan County VA Center.

2010-07-15T23:49:00.001-04:00

ASP is here. Meet Friday night 7/16 at 7:00pm in the church parking lot. Bring your luggage (not your overnight bag, not your tools). That is anything that you will not need until we arrive at our center.

Your small overnight bag, with your toiletries, sleep clothes, change of clothes for Sunday morning, pillows and sleeping bag bring SATURDAY morning.

Bring your tools on SATURDAY. Keep your small overnight bag including toiletries, sleeping bag, pillows

BE AT THE CHURCH AT 8:00 am SATURDAY 11/16. Don't forget to bring a brown paper bag lunch.

Buchanan County is our ASP Center this year.

2010-06-28T14:37:00.000-04:00

Buchanan County Information

ASP News …

2010-06-24T10:14:00.000-04:00

· THIS SUNDAY … Church Carnival at 11:00. This is an opportunity to raise funds for ASP. We will be sponsoring a cake walk and a dunk tank. Please plan to donate a cake. Contact Tricia Flynn if you have questions at tricia_flynn@mckinsey.com Also there will be food, games and more. This is an opportunity to get fundraising credit.

ALSO … Joan will be available on Sunday to receive paperwork and stock money. PLEASE turn in any and all stock money you have collected thus far (even if you expect to get more). There will also be a notary there to notarize paperwork for those who have not done so yet.

· July 10th … ASP Car Wash from 9-2 PM. This will also count toward fundraising credit.

· July 11th … ASP Commissioning at the 10 o’clock service. All ASP Participants are expected to be in church on Sunday to be commissioned by the church. This simply means that the group will be invited to come forward and a prayer will be said for our journey. This is a great way for the church to see the group that they are sponsoring!

You should be receiving a letter from Linda Casale soon that will include final trip details and packing suggestions. Our trip is NOT far away! Time to get excited.

ASP Kickoff Dinner for 2010 Summer Youth Trip

2010-03-14T15:57:00.003-04:00

Tonight is a kickoff dinner/meeting for our ASP trip this summer. We are meeting at 7pm in the cave. If you are a "newbee" then come and learn. If you are a seasoned pro, meaning you have been once, then bring something for our dinner, drinks, salad or desert.

Parking will be tight as we are an emergency shelter for the local flooding that is occurring in our area. Please use the CAVE ENTRANCE.

Home again

2010-02-22T09:33:00.003-05:00

We returned safely to our families and friends. We arrived in Bound Brook a few minutes after 5 Saturday morning.

Thank you for all of your support and prayers.

Edgar, John, John, John and Paul.

Desde Jonesville Va

2010-02-18T21:39:00.001-05:00

Bueno hoy es jueves 18 y ha sido una semana muy provechosa en los Apalaches.

Hemos estado trabajando en la casa de Ben & Jessi cambiado las paredes agregando isulacion y ademas reparaciones el el baño el cual estaba muy deteriorado.

Desde que Salimos de NJ Jhon A, Jhon C, Jhon O Paul y yo Edgar hemos viajado mas de 600 millas para traer un poco de esperanza y amor para una familia que realmente lo necesita.

Al trabajar en este projecto ASP me he podido dar cuenta cuan Bendecidos somos en NJ y que Dios tiene cuidado de nosotros ya que aqui hemos encontrado una situacion totalmente diferente ala que normalmente he visto en USA.

Estoy muy contento de poder ser parte de este proyecto y aunque hemos tenido nieve casi todos los dias y a toda hora, no nos ha impedido llevar nuestro trabajo.

Para manana viernes esperamos terminar con los trabajos de remodelacion de la cocina en la noche poder volver a casa.

Desde Virginia

Edgar Flores

Full Crew

2010-02-18T20:51:00.002-05:00

Well, all the prayers were answered and we were a full team today. We all rose and had breakfast this morning and then traveled on to our family's home. Everyone is feeling better and should be 100% by Friday morning.

Today we moved the kitchen sink and insulated and drywalled most of the last wall in the kitchen. In the first room the rough in plumbing lines were installed for the washer, tub/shower, toilet and a sink. Tomorrow we will finish the drywalling and start on the mudding in the two rooms. Jess and Ben did a little painting in another room today also.

Well we are not the only guests today. All week we have had the center and staff pretty much to ourselves. Today a group from Virginia Tech arrived near the end of dinner and another group from High Point, NC came in a little while later. We are all gathering in the lodge. We played a few games with the VT group earlier and had a blast. A great group of people.

It seems like we just got here and tomorrow it will be time to depart. While we are looking forward to seeing our families and loved ones again it will be a sad time leaving this wonderful part of God's world.

A big thank you to you for keeping us in your hearts and supporting us in our travels.

God Bless.

Paul

Day 3 on the Job

2010-02-17T19:37:00.003-05:00

Wednesday, just past the halfway mark. We are having a great time. Last night we took our staff out for dinner to a local sports eatery, The Rooster. The conversation was lively and the United States was playing Japan in the Olympics curling contest. I was very nervous for our team and I found out this morning for good reason! :)

Ok, we had a small work crew today. Two of our team were under the weather last night and needed today to rest. Please join us in prayers for their full recovery. That being said, we journeyed to our family's house and put in a full day of repair. We finished the first room yesterday for insulation and drywalling. Today we removed the wooden slats from the kitchen and insulated and drywalled one of the 2 walls we are doing. Tomorrow we anticipate completing the second wall. Our mood was good, but we missed our teammates a lot. Hopefully they will be able to join us tomorrow.

It is a beautiful part of the country here in Lee county. Every morning this week we have had fresh snow greet us, just enough to cover the driveway, a beautiful sight, but it makes for a slow drive down, and down and down the driveway. (it is steep and not straight). The drive to our family's house takes us through the valley for about 10 miles and it is scenic.

From another part of God's Country.

Love and peace.

Paul

A Small Part of God's World.

2010-02-16T20:23:00.000-05:00

Well here it is Tuesday night on our asp trip. It is easy to see how fast the week will go by. The work assignment has a lot of work to be finished but this work never seems to really be work . We all work well together, we laugh a lot and it always seems to get done. We had a great meal tonight in town with our ASP staffers as our guests. There are so many people here who need Gods help and it is good to be a small part of that help. We are enjoying wrapping up the day relaxing by the fireplace in the lodge. Good night from Jonesville Virginia

John Almendinger

Day 2 -- Snow!

2010-02-15T22:09:00.000-05:00

Well the second day of this ASP trip had something none of us have experienced during a mission trip to Appalachia but has been common all over the East this winter – SNOW! The center we stay at is on quite a hill for snowy weather. The travel down to get out to the worksite as well as what the drive back up to the center might be if the accumulation was a lot gave us great concern. But God provided a day that we were able to have a great day of work without having to worry about the weather.

Intermittent flurries mixed with sun and blue sky while inside we worked to remove the inside wall, install insulation, close up a window and put up drywall. Ben & Jess’s house at the beginning of the winter had an outer & inner wall but not a bit of insulation between the two. The difference in the temperature of the room we started in when we first got there and how felt at the end of our day was drastic. Now imagine five rooms like that. Fortunately several other groups had worked on the house before we arrived. Ben & Jess as well as the ASP staff have noticed how with each room, we are working on the third, has made a significant difference in what it takes to heat the house.

We had a great day of progress, and we are praying for God’s good weather and that we can finish the work we set out to do this week.

John O’Melia

We have arrived

2010-02-14T20:51:00.002-05:00

We arrived in Jonesville around 1:30 pm today, and went out to see the house we worked on last year. The Johns (A, C and O) showed me around and we met the family. It was a nice reunion. The family is healthy and warm and dry. The house looks great. They said that sometimes it seems to be almost to warm, that's how good of a job was done by the ASP volunteers. Kathleen and Rex remembered John, John, and John.

We then went up to the ASP center and met the staff, Mitch, Alex, and Christina. Christina is from Madison WI, Alex is from Morgantown PA and Mitch is from the Twin Cities area. We settled in a little and then went out to meet our family. Mitch showed us what needs to be done and we met Ben and Jess and the 2 pitbull puppies and Oscar the fish (who is an Oscar). We will be insulating and drywalling their walls.

We came back after a quick stop at Walmart and Shoe Town, for some forgotten items. Dinner was chicken, mashed potatoes, green beens and salad. Desert was some chocolate chip cookies and some delicious brownies with heart sprinkles for Valentines day.

We are relaxing in the lodge having some good conversation and an good fire by John O.

Love to all, and a Happy Valentines day to all our loved ones (yes you too!)

paul

Winter Adult trip

2010-02-12T21:57:00.002-05:00

On Saturday, February 13, 2 trucks, 5 individuals will begin their journey to the ASP center in Jonesville, VA. Hopefully mother nature will let us travel without incident. If all goes well and we are able we will post updates here. Check back soon.

God Bless

Paul

"It was the best of times, it was the worst of times..."

2009-08-02T18:54:00.002-04:00

What did I get myself into? How would I possibly be able to do this? Sleep "dorm style" with at least 20 other women, most of whom I didn't know? Sleep, eat, shower...ALL dormitory style! THAT was my "worst of times". And you know what? Not bad at all. In fact, I will leave this ASP experience with many new friends. From Carol who came to WV with ASP via Maryland. To the Friedrich/Flannely clan (who I'm still trying to figure out...Sarah belongs to who???). OK, we may not have had dessert every night - bad. But nitely runs to DQ? Thats definitely a GOOD...or maybe a bad...plus it was a DQ BRAZiER - so I took that as a sign that God MUST have been smiling on us!
My "best of times":
6:00 Wake-up with the "Coffee Crew" and hearing the jokes of the previous evening (the funniest ones always came from the guys)
Hugs...PLENTY of them
My BEAR picture
The Wasp "Ninja"
The bracelet Sarah made me with the penny the train flattened
Cassie telling me she loved my curley hair
Everyone on my crew who let me get away with things only a "newbie" could (and not telling me)
Being the only crew that actually prepared AND sang their theme song (thanks Amy! - bragging rights are always good)
Being one of the few people to have actually seen the bear (YES, BRAGGING RIGHTS ARE VERY GOOD!)
Roy, Rosebud and Andrea and being able to bring some sunshine (both figuratively and literally) into their lives
Amy, Bubba, Destiny and Alex. Here's to hoping that we will be able to help them get "warmer, safer, drier" to
Thursday night's picnic and being able to introduce Andy to my "families"
Babies, dogs, and PUPPIES
West Virginia
Adriana

Note: this was written in WV, but posted late. Sorry for the delay.

Day 5

2009-07-25T00:11:00.001-04:00

Today was the last day of being on our site. Our crew, Ray Markunas, Doug O'Melia, Peter Friedrich, Sam Bruno, Danika Yacik, Kim Hutchins and myself have worked all week to get a new kitchen floor installed for Doris, our homeowner.

Doris is a very sweet person who takes care of her daughter Tina's four girls, who range in age from 2-12. In addition to these six individuals, she also has her son his girlfriend living with her. Doris used to work in the coal mones but had to quit after getting hurt. Throughout the day, Doris gets many visitors and enjoys talking to all of her cousins and neighbors who stop by.

Our goal today was to get the water heater hooked back-up, all the kitchen flooring down, some installation installed in the part of the kitchen you couldn't get to from underneath the house and all the appliances back in their place. It was a very tall order and when we took a break for lunch at 1:30 I was not sure we would get it all done.

We were all beginning to get very exhausted and it was difficult to ramp back up after lunch. (Lunches are always an experience with our crew!) We did eventually get back on track because we had a goal to reach. Lots more cutting was needed to fit the OSB, the shims and the cross beams nailed into place. The sun was beating down on everyone and the two youngest girls, Kinsey and Kassidy wanted someone to play with them, but we continued on.

During a small break from the sun, Doris began talking about how raising the four girls with little help from their mother and how everything in general was very difficult for her. She said she prayed to God to make things easier and to help her get through this timein her life. I was a little speachless and really didn't know what to say. I then turned to her and said that we were here to help her and I hoped that we made it a little easier on her this week. It was a very moving moment.

Many individuals say that people are brought into our lives for a minute, a week, a year or a lifetime for a reason. We may never know why we are brought into people's lives but there is a reason. Nothing is a coincedence and this became crystal clear to me when I thought back on this specific conversation. We were not only there to help Doris and her family but she was there to help us. When I think back on the experience with Doris a memory will pop into my mind and something new will be revealed to me. It may be about Doris, one of our crew, about ASP, about West Virginia or nothing that relates to this trip at all but it will be special and will be different for each one of us. God works in mysterious ways and we have to trust in his power and the message he has decided to reveal to us.

We did get all the OSB down and nailed in place, the water heater hooked back-up and some installation installed in the kitchen. Next week's crew will finish up her kitchen with luann and tile. She is so excited to have a warm house this winter and firmly believes that the Lord has brought ASP to her to help her out.

Tricia Flynn

Beadazzlers

2009-07-23T23:39:00.000-04:00

We are the Beadazzlers How's that for a team name. We are John Almendinger, Daryl Thomas, Danielle Hauer, Kylie Lefkowitz, Katy Goodson, Danny Shea, Justin Jackson and Zach Hamilton.

Our home owner is a friend named Elva and her son Neal. Neal is quite a character with his enerty, his clubhouse, his funny faces when he looks at you. The home need many repairs. I am so happy with this group of volunteers. We have accomplished much. The house is now inderpinned, there is a new floor under the water heater and the porch that had come off the house is now back in place. We have begun repairing a bedroom floor and the windows.

There is still much to do, but God has helped us do so much.

John Almendinger

First Time by Daryl Thomas

2009-07-23T23:37:00.002-04:00

This is the first time my husband LT (Larry) and I have participated in the ASP trip. We are so grateful that we are able to be here. We were both a little anxious, because we had no idea what it would be like. We knew we were coming to repair homes, but this week has been so much more than that.

First of all, we are amazed at how organized ASP is, from those at BBPC who are involved in the planning, fundraising, travel maps, cookies, etc. to the ASP staff in WV who plan the activities, chores, repair work, and supplies.

We are also so appreciative of how hard all the kids are working. I say I have the best crew, but LT says his is the best. All the kids are great. And for us, it brings back great memories of all the years we spent teaching.

We are getting to know so many more people from BBPC too!

It has been great meeting getting to know our families. And it feels good to give to people who really need our help. We can go home at the end of the week and be grateful for all that we have.

Day 3

2009-07-22T22:17:00.001-04:00

Today is my birthday! Of course it's everyone elses birthday too. In keeping with our holiday tradition (this week at ASP) its everybodys birthday day.

Our crew worked on many projects on our site simultaneously. We are a double crew consisting of: Team 1--our fearless (and I mean fearless!) leader Doug Flannelly, Chris Anderson, Laura Goodson, Linda Ferreira, Victoria Markunas, Lee Goodson, Kyle Bennet and Danielle Lewis. Team 2 is led by Paul Gindler and Luke Wolff. There members are Chelsea Sebastian, Melissa DeCapua, Erin Cascio, Mickey Hauer, Max Biederman and Zach Battista. We have decided to "mix and match the crews", which has worked out well. We have done some roofing, shingling, and rafter work -- Doug, Lee, Kyle, Danielle, Victoria, Laura, Luke and Linda. Chelsea and Erin have found there new calling hanging on ladders and scaffolding while putting on the new soffits and facia with Paul and Mickey. Meanwhile, big excitement is happening in the addition of the house -- Zach, Melissa, Max and Chris are insulating and sheeting. Of course some of the sheetrock landed on Chris's head but it's just a small bump in the road, or in this case, on his head.

Our homeowner, Linda, comes out and settles herself in a chair under a tree in her front yard. Then the orders begin. . . Linda likes to direct our project and has no qualms about giving her opinion. She is quite straight forward about voicing her ideas and she often helps to refocus the boys(of all ages) at times by threatening to "get a switch" if they don't get in line.

Linda is a great, albeit unique person who has had a difficult life. She doesn't complain and she is very grateful to ASP for both the work accomplished in her home and the companionship she has had this summer. She told me that she has liked every single volunteer who has worked on her house "except one". I'm quite certain that that person knew how she felt, too. She said that she well miss both the staff (which is awesome) and the people who have come to be a part of her life for a week.

Linda shared with me that she is a new Christian. She had a powerful conversion experience and it has changed her life forever. That is similar to the ASP experience -- whe you come to these beautiful mountains and meet these incredible people, you con't help but be moved by the experience and changed in some small way, forever.

Laura Goodson.

Thoughts

2009-07-22T22:15:00.001-04:00

We aren't really sure where to begin when it comes to ASP. There is so much to say and we can only type so much for now. We started off feeling anxious about what the week ahead would bring. For some of us, it was a new experience and we didn't know what to expect. For others, it was exciting because we had been on ASP before and were ready to get going on our projects and see the houses we would be working on for the week. The journey down to West Virginia was quite an adventure and the excitement built up once we got to Virginia and stayed over at the church. We were growing impatient and simply wanting to get there. Sunday afternoon we arrived at our destination and were greeted by the friendly and witty ASP staff. We got our name tags and we were thrilled to have arrived.
Monday morning we woke up early and were prepared to be introduced to our family and work site. We all staggered into our cars and were off to our first day of work. Once we arrived we were introduced to Linda, the owner of the house we would be repairing. She had a lot of spunk and we felt a connection with her right away. Since we had two groups on our site, there were many people and only so much to do at first. Some of us felt useless, while others were working really hard. But we didn't let that bring us down, we knew we were here for a reason which was to restore hope. We got our tools and were prepared to work to our best abilities.
It is now Wednesday and our eyes have opened wider than ever. Our minds are filled with random thoughts and we are overwhelmed with what we have witnessed. When they told everyone back home that this experience would change our young lives, they were absolutely right. We realize how thankful we are for what we have, and to live life to the fullest. Today, it is Wednesday and we had a reflection and some silent time to ourselves. We may only be working for 5 days, but this experience will stay with us for a lifetime. Not only have we gained a new outlook on life, but we have gained friendships along the way. ASP is truly life changing, and we are going back home with something some of us might not have come with in the first place, and when people ask us how our trip was, we can simply say . . . you had to be there.

Written By: Chelsea Sebastian
Thoughts Contributed By: Erin Cascio and Zach Battista

It's Not Just a Mission Trip. . . It's a Math Lesson! (by Linda Owens)

2009-07-21T21:27:00.002-04:00

(Andy Biederman, Kristen Wolff, Kalyn Nevitt, Kira Biedermann, Andy Gugel, Wade Hunt, Max Hoagland, Linda Owens)

Our Crew is working to complete a wheelchair ramp for a middle-aged man who suffers from kidney disease. You might be picturing a simple 15 foot ramp from a front porch to the ground... something simple... a great ASP project. There is nothing simple about this ramp! But it is a great ASP project.

The house sits on a hill, nestled in the mountains. The rise from the porch to the ground is approximately 15 feet! Consequently the ramp runs in a zig-zag pattern in three 16 foot runs and ends with a 32 foot run to a concrete pad at the end. This is a math teacher's dream... angles, ratios, proportions, right triangles and all that good stuff. Fortunately we have a math teacher... Kristen Wolff. Our crew thought we were coming to ASP for a Mission Trip, but we have found ourselves in Math Camp!

Fortunately between Kristen's calculations and Andy's skill with tools, everyone has risen to the occasion and has jumped right in! There is plenty of work to go around and everyone is very busy. What has made the work particularly meaningful is that while our home owner sits on the porch and encourages us his brother is right there working side by side with us. He is a 53 year old retired furniture maker who helps his brother daily. He tells great stories as he helps Wade install the railings. Meanwhile Kira and Kalyn have discovered there gift for accurate cuts with a chop saw and Andy and Max have become experts with a hammer and a shale bar. And what does Linda do? Today it was shoveling and taking pictures!

Words of wisdom from our crew. . .
"The knot is not always where it is!"
Andy

ASP Day 1 -- meeting the family

2009-07-20T21:09:00.003-04:00

Today was a very interesting first day. I work for a man named Roy, his wife Reosebud, and his daughter Andrea. We're currently spackling their ceiling and framing their window. This does not take many people to do these things, but is gave some of us a lot of time to get to know the people we are working for. Roy loves talking and has lived in his home for 39 years. he has many ideas about the government and mode me laugh all day. His wife Rosebud is also very kind and loves to listen to our stories.

Roy and Rosebud have a daughter named Andrea who is pretty shy, but showed Kelly and I how to "pop-a-leaf". Its only the first day we've already grown attached to our family. We hope to complete the spackling and framing so we can move onto siding the back of their house and replacing a floor for them.

Cassey Flannelly

ASP Day 1 -- on the job.

2009-07-20T21:00:00.003-04:00

This is my 7th tip to Appalachia on ASP and it has never failed to be a rewarding experience. However a typical week on ASP can also include its fair share of stress and frustration. Today, our first day on the job site was particularly frustrating for me, and I am sure my fellow volunteers felt the same.

I am part of the "College" group which includes 14 people who have all experiences ASP multiple times. Despite our collective skill level we were placed on a job that we are felt over-qualified for. As we finished all our work today around 1:30, We all came to realize that our group of 14 could easily finish our entire project (planed to be a week long project) by this same time tomorrow. We spent much of the rest of the day sitting around. Once our family Ray, Rosebudd and and Andrea, left to go into town, we retired our tools to the car and headed back to the center.

I believe our group collectively feels as though our skills were under used. We are all a little down and our high hopes for an exciting challenging job and "awesome" ASP are now bleak. However, although ASP is frustrating and we are a little down, it is imperative that we remember that our job here is not only to build a great house but to also butild relationships with each other and our families.

Personally I think that frustrations like these are what make ASP so great, because no matter what these frustrations will resolved. Ultimately thought we must remember that we make the biggest difference by just showing up every morning with smiles on our faces and kindness in our hearts.

Tomorrow will be better.

Sara Flannelly.

2009-07-18T21:18:00.001-04:00

Around 4:30 today we arrived in Staunton, Virginia. We are renewing friendships, creating new ones and sharing. All are safe. thank you. Blessings. Paul

2009-07-18T21:16:00.001-04:00

We gathered this morning. Around 9 am Brooks led us in prayer for our trip, the families we will sever, the friends and family that are supporting us.

On our way

2009-07-17T22:16:00.000-04:00

We meet at 8am Saturday to begin our trip. Just a reminder. There is NO CELL SERVICE for an hour in any direction from where we are staying. There is also reported no internet connection. It is suggested that you bring phone cards. We will try to updated the blog, but we don't know if we will be able to connect anywhere during the week. Keep checking here to see if we have connected.

Peace.

ASP UPDATES …

2009-07-13T11:15:00.000-04:00

CLOTHING: There was some confusion about the t-shirts that can be worn on site. T-shirts do NOT have to be plain. They can have writing or whatever, BUT they must be appropriate! No beer, cigarette, camouflage or other inappropriate logos or words.

FRIDAY EVENING: The time for packing the vans on Friday evening is 7 PM.

8^th WORK CREW: There will NOT be an 8^th work crew.

TO PARENTS: While this has not happened in the past and I do not expect it to happen this year, please be aware that if a youth participate violates ASP rules related to drugs, alcohol or unsafe behavior (purchase, possession or use of a weapon … bb gun, pellet gun, etc) they will be asked to return home and you will be expected to pick them up immediately.

ASP News

2009-07-09T13:24:00.003-04:00

With just 9 days to go before we leave here are some reminders of things coming up:

Car Wash this Saturday from 10-2 PM … arrive at 9:30 to set up.
Commissioning at the 10:00 Worship Service … Brooks will be commissioning all ASP participants this Sunday at the 10:00 Service. Please try to be there … obviously if you are away in Florida watching the space shuttle of something you are excused (that is for the Yaciks and Katy Goodson)!
Friday, July 17th we will gather in the church parking lot at 7 PM. to pack our vehicles so that we are ready to roll Saturday morning. On Friday bring our luggage … but save your overnight bag for the trip down to bring with you on Saturday morning.
Any final stock money or forms MUST be turned in by Friday evening (July 17) or you may not be able to leave with us on Saturday.
Saturday, July 18th we will gather at 8 AM at the church parking lot for check. We plan to pull out in small groups around 9AM. Bring a bag lunch for the ride!

I just talked to the center staff in Raleigh County and here are some things you should know about our center …

The air conditioners in the classrooms where will be sleeping WORK! So we do not need fans!
Showers: There are two shower heads per gender period! SO prepared for long lines and don’t forget shower shoes!
Walmart is over an hour away so I imagine there won’t be many trips there, but there are some local small stores including an ice cream place located near the center.
There is no cell phone reception at or near the center.
The staff says that there is a lot of poison ivy around the center and in the local community. Be prepared!

Needed:

I need to know if there are any vegetarians in the group. Please let me know immediately. I have to call that into the center.
Because there is no dish washer at the center we need to bring paper plates, bowls, cups and plastic ware. Is there anyone willing and able to pick this up? The church will reimburse you through ASP funds.

That’s all for now! Can’t wait until July 18th!!!!!!

Peace,

Linda

ASP DINING DOLLARS

2009-07-09T09:39:00.003-04:00

Mondays, July 6 and July 20, from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. we are asking everyone to join us at the Golden Corner in Bound Brook. Your meals will contribute to the ASP fund raising. Flyers will be given out at church services. YOU MUST BRING THE FLYER WITH YOU TO TURN IN WHEN DINING. Any questions call Shirley Almendinger. Click here to get flyer to print

Here’s the latest ….

2009-05-14T14:00:00.006-04:00

ASP Orientation Meeting this Sunday 7-8:30 PM … If you have not attended a meeting yet and you plan to participated on ASP you MUST be present this Sunday. ( exception: College students who are not home yet). Adults we will meet briefly at the end of the meeting for a short time. Please bring stock money with you this Sunday.

ASP Planning Team Meeting Thursday evening from 6:30-8 PM in the Cave … All are welcome to attend a planning meeting for ASP.

Car Wash Saturday … We will be meeting in the church parking lot at 9:30 AM and plan to be finished by 2:30 PM. Bring something to drink and we will provide pizza for lunch. Please let me know if you plan to attend.

Stock Sale at Church …

May 17 Danika Yacik & Samantha Bruno
May 24 Andy Gugel & Max Biedermann
May 31 Kim Hutchins

Coffeehouse & Silent Auction, June 7 from 5-8 PM … I is not too late to sign-up to perform at the coffeehouse. Acts must sign up with Linda (me) by May 24^th. We also need donations of auction-able items. So far I have the following …

Basket from the Bruno Family
Organic Basket from Tricia Flynn
Summertime Basket from Rebecka Flynn
Cooking Lesson with Dave DePierro
Cooking Lesson with Keith Belamy
Basket from the Owens/Goodson Gang
Painting by Joan Bloomer

***If I missed someone or you have something to donate please contact me! We need MORE items and each item must come with a description that can be posted in an auction brochure. Descriptions must be in to Linda by June 1^st. If you are not able to donate a basket you might choose to ask a local vendor for a donation of services/products/tickets etc… We have had great success with the Somerset Patriots, local restaurants, hair salons, etc…

VOLUNTEERS FOR COFFEEHOUSE … We also need people to volunteer for the following:

Set-Up / Organize Silent Auction Tables … tables must be set up by 5:45 PM on Saturday
Staff Silent Auction Tables during the event and during worship on Saturday evening and Sunday Morning
Set Up Director … organize and plan the set-up
Set-Up and Decoration help … we have access to the gym beginning Saturday at 1 PM.
Kitchen / Serving / Clean-up … involves organizing the serving of appetizers and drinks.
Gym Clean-Up … cleaning and taking down tables and chairs and putting away decorations and equipment.

Homeward bound

2008-07-13T07:20:00.002-04:00

Saturday, we roll, crawl and stumble out of bed. After a million trips back and forth to the cars, we are finally packed and ready to go. A quick stop to wake up the ASP staff and around 200 hugs later we are off and traveling, homeward.

There is an excitement that we are going home, but an eagerness to stay and see our projects though for the families. We are tired.

Saturday is the time we share amongst ourselves, just the weary travelers that you have sent forth to do God's work. We had a great time. Not like a vacation, but an inner peace or sense of goodness that has happened.

Thank you for all the support and encouragement that you have provided throughout the year for us. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you to my family.

God's blessings to you.

With love.

Paul G.

Family Picinic

2008-07-12T18:13:00.007-04:00

The Family Picnic is a time when - in the Presbyterian tradition - we get to sit down with our families and eat together. This year another ASP Center joined us at Martins Fork Lake (see previous posting). Talk about God's country. . .

We gathered and mingled early. After the prayer "hamburgers and hot dogs" were enjoyed by all. It was definitely a family affair with babies, children running around, parents and grandparents all enjoying each other.

God is certainly at work here!

Paul G.

Friday...

2008-07-12T17:39:00.004-04:00

FRIDAY - a very emotional day in the life of an ASP participant, whether your family, center staff or a volunteer. It is the last day you go to your site. It is the day you say goodbye to your family. It is the day you share with your friends here, both new and old. Sharing some of the feelings and relationships you have built through the week.

We made friends and have built relationships with our families, the ASP staff, the group from Illinois and each other.

As we come home many reflections will be made over the last week. We may come home quietly or we may be very talkative. Each of us has our own experience to share. There are many wondrous stories to tell. Be patient with us --we want to share them each and every one as we are able to.

Gods peace.

Paul G

A Picnic with Our Bigger Family

2008-07-12T07:27:00.011-04:00

On Thursday evening the ASP Harlan Center staff and the ASP Jonestown, Virginia staff coordinated a picnic at Martin’s Fork Lake, just outside of Harlan, Kentucky. Each team was encouraged to invite the family it was serving to join approximately 220 ASP volunteers and staff for food and fun at an amazingly beautiful mountain lake in southeastern Kentucky.

Martin’s Fork Lake was created in 1978 when the US Army Corps of Engineers built two large dams to flood several valleys of small rivers that supply the Cumberland River. The lake they created offers important fresh water resources to southeastern Kentucky and badly needed tourism revenue.

During our winding 30-minute drive to the picnic, many of us wondered what kind of lake we would find so high up in the mountains. When arrived at the lake, just beneath the large northern dam, we were amazed by the beauty of all that water in the midst of these picturesque mountains.

When you added the local families that joined us, there were well over 250 people. We all had a chance to meet the personalities we had heard about from other team members or to introduce our local families to our friends from the Bound Brook area. This broader view of the local community gave us a chance to learn more about work, home, and recreational life in this part of Appalachia.

We all had a chance to try and capture the beauty of this place with our cameras as we wandered down the hill from our picnic pavilion to the beach area. There, a number of the locals went for a swim as others played beach volleyball and Frisbee.

The party broke up around 9:15 pm, with a good amount of daylight still in the sky. We traveled back to Evarts for a good night’s rest before our last day, but with a slightly better feel for the natural magnificence and recreational richness that make our families love this part of the world.

My First ASP Experience

2008-07-11T07:17:00.006-04:00

This is my very first ASP experience, and so of course there are many new things happening for me every day. There is also much that is shocking and, at times, disheartening. But what is most striking for me right now is the youth who are here. I have never seen a group of teens so willing (and even eager) to get a job done. They are ready to get dirty, figure out how to do something, and do it well by working together.

I have been impressed and inspired by them every day here in Harlan County.

Megan Maffettone

Our Cooks are Pretty Nice Girls...

2008-07-11T06:59:00.004-04:00

On Thursday the Casper team had the assigned chore of showing appreciation to our cooking staff (Alice and Debbie). One of our cooks, Alice, had heard John Almendinger sing and said she’d like to hear him play in the morning. Team Casper had a better idea. They composed a short song to the tune of “Her Majesty’s a Pretty Nice Girl” (Beatles, Abbey Road). The lyrics went like this.

Our cooks are pretty nice girls but they don’t have a lot to say. / Our cooks are pretty nice girls, changing menus for us every day. / We want to tell them that we love them a lot but we don’t always find the time. / Our cooks are pretty nice girls and their cookin’ is mighty fine, oh yeah. / Their cookin’ is mighty fine. / (allelu…)

The song was sung to Alice and Debbie around 6:45 am on Thursday by John Almendinger, Betsy Kamienowski, Paul Gindler, Steve Yacik, and John Casale. The Casper team also presented two t-shirts to Alice and Debbie made by Betsy. The shirts had the ASP logo with the word “Chef” on the front and showed outlines of New Jersey, Illinois, and Kentucky.

Under the Porch

2008-07-10T07:11:00.003-04:00

The “Peeves” project involves three teams… two from BBPC and one from the North Prairie Methodist Church in Winthrop Harbor, Illinois. Our teams, Peeves II and III, include Kelly Friedrich, Linda Owens, Sue Friedrich, Justin Jackson, Sara Flannelly, Matt Crawford, Lou Bruno, Lee Goodson, Big John Casale, Steve Yacik, Linda Ferreira, and Samantha Bruno.

We are sitting under our new porch in the pouring rain, Kelly is giving Matt a tattoo with a Sharpie marker. It’s a lightning bolt. There is lots of lightning here.

It doesn’t look as though the rain is going to give up and we are debating whether to start back working again. Our morning went well. It seems like today has been our most productive day, even despite the thunder storms.

Our house needs a lot more work to be done and the rain has been quite frustrating. But is surely hasn’t stopped our spirit as we joke and laugh under the porch. For some of us though, this may be our last time on ASP and the rain reminds us of how beautiful these misty mountains are and how sad we will be to leave them.
Perhaps the storm is breaking now, but the rain has given us an opportunity to reflect on and remember the bonds we have made with one another, and how valuable our friendships really are.

Sara Flannelly

Our Most Experienced Builder

2008-07-10T07:06:00.001-04:00

John Casale is the most experienced “builder” from BBPC at our work site. As a result, he gets peppered with questions, throughout the day, on a variety of building projects. John always answers them patiently and with a respect for the person asking the question.

The best building John does at our worksite is the building of relationships. He builds positive relationships… with his fellow adult advisors… with the young people from BBPC… and especially with the mother and the small children whose home we’re working on.

When three of us got our host family’s front porch muddy, it was John who grabbed a mop and cleaned it off. Why? Because it was the right thing to do.

I’m really glad this ASP experience has given me a chance to get to know John a bit more and to learn from his example.

Steve Yacik

Tattoo Day

2008-07-09T21:33:00.003-04:00

Hi, my name is Katy Goodson and I am on the team “Slimer” for ASP. My group consists of seven members – Tommy Bruno, Eric Crawford, Max Biederman, Andy Biederman, Danika Yacik, Laura Goodson, and myself.

We are roofing the house of an elderly couple – Tina and Jimmy Jones. The roof needed to be shingled on one side and the other side needed plywood and then shingles.

Today is Wednesday and we worked on the house from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. We left for the Jones’ house at 8:45 am and when we got there we immediately headed for the roof. We started quickly because we knew that the rain would come around 1:00 pm and we can’t roof in the rain.

We shingled the roof until 12:00, and in those hours we really had a good time together. In our group, Tommy and Eric tattooed everyone with sharpies on the roof because it was “tattoo day.” I got a seahorse from Tommy on my shoulder.

Around 12:45 the rain started coming, so our group left the roof. We went to our car and ate lunch. Then we talked with Tina and Jimmy. We presented Tina with a prayer shawl made by members of our church. Then we talked with Jimmy about a variety of stuff. Jimmy is a funny guy with clear opinions. We talked with him about music, food, weather, and other things.

We really got closer with our family today and after our group left their home, at 1:00 pm, I felt like I had shown Tina and Jimmy that I really cared about them.

Katie Goodson

Doug’s Rain / Kentucky Rain

2008-07-08T22:44:00.004-04:00

Doug Flannelly will tell you, “if you want it to rain, ask me to do a roof job.” And that’s exactly what happened as Doug and his crew on the Bruce Willis project began day two of their roofing project.

For some teams in the valley the rain was fairly light… a heavy drizzle. Others said they could see the hard rain coming at them… and when it hit you it hurt.

Nobody really blamed Doug for the rain, although we had to admit he had warned us. Outdoor projects came to a brief stop after everyone scrambled to hide the tools from the rain. Indoor projects moved right along as planned.

For evening gathering (EG) the center staff invited local recording artists “Kentucky Rain” to for volunteers in our school’s cafeteria. The four-piece group (banjo, mandolin, guitar, and double bass) played for nearly 90 minutes.

The group helped us get to know the roots of bluegrass music and how it has influenced other types of music over the years. They even played a song that mentions Harlan County (well actually it mentions the Harlan County jail).

After the show, everyone still had time to ride into Harlan or Evarts for ice cream or shopping. Others stuck around the center to socialize or prepare for Wednesday.

While we loved Kentucky Rain, we’re hoping Doug will have a better day for roofing tomorrow.

Ray Ferreira

Terry’s Roof

2008-07-08T22:41:00.002-04:00

Today was an interesting day on the Casper site. The morning was hot and sunny, so we continued working on the roof.

At about 11:20 am we heard thunder and began covering our roof so the water wouldn’t leak into Terry’s room. It did begin to pour and thankfully we got the roof covered in time.

We decided it was time for lunch and time to chat it up with Terry. Terry is very open and tells us tales of his past. He talks about where he has travelled and how he has lived in Kentucky for all his life and how he wouldn’t give it up for the world.

Terry makes me appreciate everything I have at home in New Jersey. I hope to continue learning new life lessons from Terry during the rest of the week. Of course we hope to finish the roof too.

Cassey Flannelly

Scary Days with Bruce Willis

2008-07-08T22:40:00.000-04:00

Today on the “Bruce Willis” project we did lots of things. The man on our project likes to scare people, and I made a bet with him that he couldn’t scare me. Well, to say the least he got me, but not until he had tried a number of things. He hid under a car and grabbed my legs. Then he climbed up on the roof where I was working and he hit me with a bamboo stick.

Since our only project is one that is on the roof, sadly, we did not get much work done because it rained most of the day. But what we did get to do was spend quality time with our family of five: Ray, Judy, TomTom and Milltown (the two cats), and Booger (the puppy). We have all come to know and love them, even though we have only spent two days with them.

We have formed bonds that will not be easily broken or forgotten.

Amy Barrett

The Morning People

2008-07-08T07:08:00.003-04:00

Wake up call is 7:15 am each morning. But there are a few of us, all adults, who can’t seem to sleep past 5:30 or 6:00.

We’re rewarded by our two cooks, Alice and Debbie, with a big urn of fresh coffee that helps us at least begin to understand one another.

But there’s more that we like about the early morning time… The outdoor temperature is in the high 60s rather than the high 90s… The clouds move through the valley well below the 1200-foot mountain tops that are on either side of us… And we have a few minutes to have a good laugh about how we all work together every day.

There’s not a lot of regimentation or ASP programming this early. So we get to run our own program… which sometimes feels like open mic night at the comedy club. We have a chance to laugh at ourselves and the way we get through our days.

So greetings to all from the morning people, at two minutes to seven.

Ray Ferreira , John Casale , Betsy Kamienowski , Sue Friedrich, John Almendinger

Day One on the Work Site (Flying Dutchman)

2008-07-07T17:35:00.003-04:00

We started our day by learning to jump start a car. We also learned not to leave a battery-operated cooler on overnight.

We didn't get to meet our family today, but we removed the glue from their new floor. We took all the wood off of the hall floor and we took all the tiles off of the kitchen floor.

We played with the kitty and played with some neighbor kids.

The day ended with our crawling under their trailer to inspect the rim joist. We needed to make sure it was stable enough for the trailer to be safe. Unfortunately we found that trailer's rim joist was NOT safe, and so we will begin our work on that repair tomorrow morning.

Stay tuned for more information from our crew.

Chelsea Sebastian and Kalyn Nevitt

Newbie Impressions

2008-07-07T17:26:00.003-04:00

Since this is my first ASP trip, I had no idea what to expect. I asked some of the ASP veterans in our group to give me some input so I could attempt to prepare myself for the upcoming week. Now that my first day of work is behind me, I can put some sense behind all the information gathered.

My expectations of the work and the family were right on the money. The people were kind and it's very apparent they need our help. So that being said, I wasn't surprized with what I found.

Now the thing that has opened my eyes more than anything else are the ASP participants. If you ever want to see God's hand at work, come on an ASP trip. I'm surrounded by people that most certainly have a million other places to spend a week of vacation. But those people have come here to help those in need. They don't do it for fun, thanks, or praise. They just do it because it's needed.

I'm honored and proud to be here with them all.

Andy Biederman

Driving Southbound... Day Two

2008-07-06T22:36:00.003-04:00

The morning was dark and misty in as our ASP group emerged from its overnight stay at the Wytheville Presbyterian Church, in Virginia. Within about 45 minutes we had left the building with little or no trace that we had been there. Then we were all in our cars and on our way.

Before getting back onto I-81 South, we stopped at a McDonald's to have a leasurely breakfast. This newer, high-tech Micky-Dee's had video displays with games at many of the tables--which definately extended our stay by at least 15 minutes.

The day-two drive would only take us 160 miles further, but with stops and winding roads took most groups about 4 hours to complete. We started with about 1 hour on I-81 to exit #1 near the Tennessee border. Then we went west on VA 421, a VERY winding two-lane that took us up and down through the beginning of the main Appalachian chain.

We wound through about 30 minutes of twists and turns over a first range to Gates City, then over another range to Pennington Gap, and finally we had some spectacular views as VA 421 went over a skytop pass on its way into Harlan (our local "town"). At Harlan we waited until it was 2:00 pm, and then drove the last seven miles down a deep valley into Evarts, Kentucky.

After taking about an hour to settle into our rooms (mostly classrooms in a fairly nice school building) we gathered outside to meet the Center Staff and learn the grounds rules. Dinner was tacos, refried beans, and rice. There was a lot of exploring to do and we all had a chance to meet other teams who had arrived from Indiana.

After dinner, two members of each work team (one adult and one youth member) visited their work site with a Center Staffer. We had a chance to see the project first hand and to meet the family that we would be working for (and sometimes with) for the next five days. Upon returning to the center, we had a chance to talk to the rest of our work groups about the specifics of the projects and the families.

The day ended with everyone cooling off and relaxing around the center. Some read books in their make-shift dorm rooms; others played wiffle-ball in the parking lot; and some played cards in the cafeteria. Just now, at 10:30 pm, I hear adult leaders announcing quiet time. At 11:00 pm it will be lights out.

In the morning, we'll all have a chance to visit our work sites and meet our families. Clearly, everyone is a little excited AND a little bit nervous. This is a very different part of our world. Tomorrow, we all get to see just how different it is.

Ray Ferreira

Driving Southbound… Day One

2008-07-05T22:45:00.009-04:00

Our trip from Bound Brook to Everts, Kentucky began at 8 am on Saturday, July 5, 2008. A total of 44 travelers arrived between 7:00 and 7:45 am, accompanied by many parents, friends. Among those seeing us off was Rev. Brooks Smith, the new interim pastor of the Bound Brook Presbyterian Church.

We made 501 miles on day one, travelling from Bound Brook to Wytheville, Virginia (near the intersection of I-81 and I-77). Some groups took three stops along the way, some took more. All groups arrived in Wytheville between 4:30 and 5:30 pm… in the middle of a brief thunder shower.

We’re staying on cots and air beds at the Presbyterian Church of Wytheville. The Wytheville church has graciously provided its comfortable facilities (parlors, classrooms, meeting rooms, and fellowship halls) to accommodate our group for the overnight on Saturday. Many thanks go out to Brad and Wendy from the Wytheville church who helped us make everything possible. We hope to be out of their way, and on our way, well before their 9:30 service on Sunday morning.

Once we arrived, Linda Owens held a brief meeting to review schedules and rules. Then groups scattered around Wytheville to eateries like Sonic, Appleby’s, and Cracker Barrel. We all arrived back at the Wytheville church by 9:30 pm. Then we all settled in to get some sleep before our 8:00 am departure.

Ray Ferreira

Departure / Return Information

2008-06-30T20:20:00.002-04:00

TIMES

Everyone will be expected to be in the church parking lot at 7:00 PM Thursday, July 3rd with his or her luggage. This is when we will load the van that will carry all of our stuff. This is a day earlier than in past years because of the July 4th holiday. They should keep a small overnight bag with their personal toiletries, sleep clothes, change of clothes for Sunday morning, pillow and sleeping bag. This is so the main luggage does not have to be unpacked when we stop for the night.

We will meet again in the church parking lot 7:00 AM Saturday morning, July 5th. We will be leaving the church parking lot by 8:00 AM, staggering our start times for groups of 3 to 4 cars. It is nice to see the group off so please plan to stay until they leave.

The ASP volunteers will arrive home on Sunday, July 13th around 3:00 PM. I am sure your son or daughter will be calling as they get close to Bound Brook, so you will know the actual time of arrival. We ask that you be there to greet them as they pull into the parking lot.

CLOTHING

A sheet from our ASP manual was mailed that has suggestions on what to bring and what NOT to bring. Please keep in mind that the dress code is very strict, so please guide your young people in their packing.

No one should bring clothes that they would not want to get VERY dirty and possibly thrown away when the trip is over. People, who have gone before, have said the
Salvation Army store has jeans for very reasonable prices. Tee shirts cannot have writing on them so again cheap plain shirts that can be discarded are suggested. If a bikini is the only type of bathing suit your daughter has, make sure she has a tee shirt to wear over it. Modest shorts may be worn at the center but not at the work site.

Work boots are suggested but sneakers are okay. Be sure to pack enough socks to keep their feet dry in case of bad weather.

Don’t forget towels for showers and some type of shower shoe is a must. The showers are outdoor ones.

TOOLS

Suggestions were given on the list mailed out about what hand tools are needed. The works crews met at our final meeting, on June 8th to decide on what power tools everyone will be bringing but some individual tools, work gloves, etc. are needed.

FUND RAISING

We had some very successful fundraisers this year - 3 car washes, a Silent Auction/ Spaghetti Dinner, as well as our usual stock sale, which is always on going. Some stock money still needs to be turned in; the young people know who they are. This money raised is used to offset the cost of this trip; our budget this year is $30,000. This year gas prices are adding a lot to the cost of the trip as I am sure you are aware of the raising price of the gas.

All outstanding stock money MUST be turned prior to leaving on the trip. (Please not the morning we leave). Also be aware that as we said in the beginning anyone who has not participated in the stock sale or the other fundraising activities will not receive their $50 in spending money.

GENERAL

We have again told our young people that they are not allowed to bring home any pets. It has been discouraged in the past but we must insist upon it this year because our group is large and we have just enough space in the cars for us.

Please discuss with your son or daughter before they go and when they get home the experience they will have and had. I am sure you will be as amazed as we are the transformation that takes place in their young lives.

ASP Commissioning Sunday 6/29

2008-06-19T09:03:00.001-04:00

All ASP particapants are HIGHLY encouraged to attend the 9:30 AM service on Sunday, June 29 to be commissioned by the church for service to Harlan County, KY. This is a chance for the church to see the ASP Team that they are supporting financialy and in prayer! The new ASP t-shirts will be handed out that morning before the service for you to wear for the comissioning.

ASP and Father's Day Weekend

2008-06-12T11:36:00.001-04:00

ASP is sponsoring not just one but TWO events this weekend to raise funds for our upcoming trip to Harlan County, Kentucky.

Saturday (June 14):
Car Wash in the church parking lot from 9-2
Get your car clean and shiny for the summer months

Sunday (June 15):
Father's Day Pancake Breakfast immediately follow 9:30 service
Donation accepted
Bring your Dad, Husband or yourself and enjoy a home cook breakfast

All proceeds will benefit the ASP trip.

I hope you can make it to both events this weekend!

Peace

Tricia Flynn

BBPC Youth Group Final ASP Orientation (#4)

2008-06-04T08:40:00.002-04:00

Sunday, June 8 at 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Where: BBPC ... CAVE

Last meeting before we leave. Be there! Team assignments and trip information will be given out.

2008-05-29T11:32:00.014-04:00

Car Wash

Saturday,

May 31

ASP Car Wash this Saturday May 31, 2008 from 9-3 PM!

We need to know that you are coming to help! We still have a lot of money to raise. Bring old towels and a few $$$ to pitch in for lunch!

The Shawl Ministry Is Underway!

2008-03-16T20:38:00.005-04:00

Nine ASP volunteers, who never held a knitting needle before, completed as many as three or four rows of knitting in less than 30 minutes. They’re not just learning to knit as a hobby… their hard work over the coming months will yield a group of shawls that will be given to each family the BBPC teams will help this summer in Harlan County, Kentucky.

Knitters included Leigh Nevitt, Samantha Bruno, Linda Ferreira, Cassey Flannelly, Kalyn Nevitt, Alina Yacik, Chelsea Sebastian, Tommy Bruno, and Megan Maffettone. Joan Bloomer and Val Yacik served as knitting tutors.

All knitters learned how to dig in, yarn over, dig in, and slip it off… HOORAY!!!
Each shawl will take approximately two to three months for knitters to complete. That means they’ll be busy from now until July ensuring that our ASP families have a completed shawl when the BBPC teams arrive in Harlan County, Kentucky. If you’re looking for a way to support ASP volunteers from the Bound Brook area—even if you can’t make the trip to Kentucky—contact Linda Owens at (732) 356-3575. Or send her an e-mail, requesting more information, at Linda@bbpc.org.

Bound Brook Teams Are Headed to Harlan County, Kentucky in 2008

2008-02-17T16:27:00.009-05:00

Trip Dates are July 5 through July 13, 2008

The Bound Brook Presbyterian Church will be sending 50 youth, young adults, and adult leaders to the mountains of Appalachia this summer. The ASP youth trip will travel to Harlan County, Kentucky.

ASP has been serving the people of the Appalachian Mountains since 1969. Currently, thousands of ASP voluteers of all ages repair, renovate, and/or build hundreds of warmer, safer, and dryer homes yearly. More than 150,000 volunteers from across the United States have worked on homes in 42 counties in West Viginia, Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. The experience of living out the Gospel by volunteering for ASP service has changed many lives since 1969, including those who have participated from Bound Brook Presbyterian Church over the past five summers.

A key part of the ASP experience will be preparing for the trip through orientation sessions, a skills training workshop, and, of course, fund raising. Each participant will be asked to pay $125 for the week in addition to helping us raise the additional $26,000 need to make the trip possible. We will ask all participants to help with fund raising activities, including the sale of a minimum of $150 worth of stock shares in the trip.

Participating in ASP is a commitment and should be taken seriously by adults, youth, and parents.

To learn about participating in ASP (by traveling to Kentucky or by helping from Bound Brook) contact Rev. Linda Owens by e-mail or by telephone at (732) 356-3575.

EVENING OF GIVING at Menlo Park MallNOV. 18th, 6:30 - 9:30 PM

2007-11-01T11:41:00.000-04:00

ASP 2008 will be selling tickets to a private night of shopping at the Menlo Park Mall. The evening promises to be a fun filled event with special shopping discounts to stores in the mall, appearances by WPLJ-FM radio personalities, Brad Blanks & Monkey Boy, All My Children star Thorsten Kaye/Zach Slater. And appearance by Santa and the Grinch! Tickets are being sold for $10 by senior high youth and ASP adults. $7 of every ticket will go straight to ASP 2008! Please join us in supporting ASP by buying a ticket and starting your Christmas Shopping early. Tickets will be on sale between services on Sunday morning or see Linda Owens.

Join Us for the 2007 ASP Brunch

2007-10-21T09:40:00.000-04:00

Join us on Sunday, October 28th at 11:45 am in the PFC at the Presbyterian Church at Bound Brook to celebrate this past summer's mission trip to Carter County, Tennesee.

We'll have great food, fellowship, and many good stories from this summer's participants.

Sign up in the PFC on Sundays or contact Linda Owens at (732) 356-3575.