From Our Pastor of Christian Education & Family Ministry
►Changing
the lives of people one job site at a time -
Tyler Oliveira
►A family of six has a roof that won't leak for the first time in three years, another family has three rooms with new floors, ceilings, paint, and a new kitchen cabinet sink that works, and another house has new steps and windows. Of equal importance, old friendships were renewed, new ones were made, and twenty-eight weary but happy travelers have made a small difference in the lives of others and of themselves. Thanks be to all that made this year's trip possible, and for the Grace of God that led us and kept us. - Chuck Sauer
►My group this year proved that freshmen have as big of an impact on helping others as anyone else - Angelo Acker
►I really liked the Charleston market, and shopping at all the stops along the way. I really had fun on the work sites, especially hammering the ceiling. I had an amazing time and look forward to coming back next year - Brandon Davis
►This year gave me a great new experience in working with others. I had lots of fun and especially enjoyed the late-night games at the mission with some new and old friends - Ben Acker
►During this week, I got to know people from our church better, and helped to make less fortunate people's life a little better. - Steven Bush
► It is such a joy to do good work with such nice, eager adults, young and old. - DD
►I enjoyed getting to know new people and working with them on the job site. This trip was a lot of fun, especially walking through Charleston. - Stephanie Diraison
►This week has been such a great week. Working up on the roof and painting a family's house was not only fun, but it made me feel really good about myself to see how thankful she was when we finished. The sunsets on the dock were also beautiful and enjoyable, too. - Elizabeth Quigley
►This week was one of the best weeks of my life. I'm so glad that I went on this trip again. When you see the looks on people's faces, it is unforgettable. You get such a good feeling when you realize that doing such a simple task can make these people so much happier. - Chris Duxbury
►This trip was a blast. The adults who set up the trip and made everything happen I am very grateful for. I hate that I only have one year left. Making a difference in these people's lives is a feeling that is indescribable. - Danny Greaves
►This was the first year that I was able to meet and spend time with the people who we were affecting with our work. It was really cool to see just how grateful these people were that we would take our time to help them. I also loved spending time with all of the other dedicated youth and adults that worked so hard to put this trip together. Emily Buterbaugh
►For the second time, I feel really blessed to be part of such a wonderful group of youth and adults to share their time and talents and gifts helping the people of Wadmalaw and John's Islands. - Deb Nagle
►Another great year of being helpful to those less fortunate than us and being with a wonderful group of youth, especially Emily, who typed this for me. - Chuckles (my carpenter skills are much better than my computer skills)
►I really enjoyed being able to get to know everyone better and spending time with the people who made this trip possible. I am already looking forward to the next trip. - Haley Rouleau
►Once again John's Island welcomed our VIM group with challenging worksites which we addressed with good humor and dedication. GREAT GROUP; a productive and enjoyable week. I'M UP FOR NEXT YEAR (after a good WEEK'S SLEEP!) - Wheeler Van Brocklin
►This was an amazing trip. It was my first year and it was really an eye opener. I was on a roofing crew and replacing the roofing seemed to really start a change in the lives of the people we helped. Replacing the roof allowed them to use a bedroom which the kids were going to use. They intended to paint the room soon after we left. Also, they could now fix up much of the house without it getting ruined immediately. The people were so thankful and helpful throughout the entire project. It felt really good to have made such a difference in those people's lives. - Don Poirier
►It was an awesome trip this year. I got to know people even better, and the amount of work we did was amazing. The trip is an unforgettable learning experience. - Sean Nagle
►On this trip, I get to do things that I would probably never get to do at home; I demolish houses, tear off roofs, rip out plumbing, and lay down shingles, cramming as much productive work into one week as I possibly can, and it feels good to be working to help people who do not have the skills or the agency to help themselves. This was a good trip. - Connor Ross
►The day we came home from VIM 2012 was the day I started counting down until VIM 2013. I wouldn't consider it sacrificing our February vacation when you are helping people who need it just as much as they are thankful for it. This trip is such an eye opening experience that shows how lucky we truly are, but also how precious our time spent on John's Island is to those in need. Now, to start counting down the days until VIM 2014. - Hannah Toolson
►The VIM trip is the one thing I am constantly thinking of and waiting for. There is no other way I would rather spend my vacation. The trip gives you a whole new perspective on things and brings you closer with everyone. I am so blessed and happy that I am one of the people who gets this experience. - Jordan Inkley
►The experience of the VIM work in South Carolina is one that we benefit from in many ways. Not only do we have the opportunity to serve our John's Island brothers and sisters, but an opportunity to worship with them, laugh with and learn from them. The 2013 VIM youth have been amazing in their dedication and enthusiasm for the work and their respect and support of the adult leaders of the VIM mission trip. The team truly reflected the scripture from the book of Micah on the back of our 2013 t-shirts: "What does the Lord require of you? To do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with God."
- Carol Reale