And so another week begins….. We had to say goodbye to most of the community on Saturday morning and eagerly awaiting the arriving volunteers on Saturday evening.

As usual, Sunday is day set aside to spend time together as a community. We started the day going to Mass in Pineville at Holy Cross and then returning back to the school for a quick lunch. After lunch, the group headed up to RD Bailey Lake Dam. The visitor center was closed, but the the view, as always, was incredible. It was a little hot and sticky with temperatures hitting 100. After a quick look over the dam area we returned to our cars and drove to the back side of the dam to explore there. While we were sitting and enjoying the view, the wind started kicking up and a storm started rolling in so we headed to our cars and went back to the school.

After a few mishaps with preparing the dinner, we enjoyed our burgers, beans, pasta salad and the like. After dinner we had a quick reorientation for all the newly arrived PVs. After the reorientation we went right into the commissioning service, anointing the newly arrived PVs for the work that lies ahead of them, as well as connecting them the rest of the summer’s volunteers. After everyone was anointed and ready for work we signed up for job sites for Monday.

We are looking forward to another great week.

And so another week begins….. We had to say goodbye to most of the community on Saturday morning and eagerly awaiting the arriving volunteers on Saturday evening.

As usual, Sunday is day set aside to spend time together as a community. We started the day going to Mass in Pineville at Holy Cross and then returning back to the school for a quick lunch. After lunch, the group headed up to RD Bailey Lake Dam. The visitor center was closed, but the the view, as always, was incredible. It was a little hot and sticky with temperatures hitting 100. After a quick look over the dam area we returned to our cars and drove to the back side of the dam to explore there. While we were sitting and enjoying the view, the wind started kicking up and a storm started rolling in so we headed to our cars and went back to the school.

After a few mishaps with preparing the dinner, we enjoyed our burgers, beans, pasta salad and the like. After dinner we had a quick reorientation for all the newly arrived PVs. After the reorientation we went right into the commissioning service, anointing the newly arrived PVs for the work that lies ahead of them, as well as connecting them the rest of the summer’s volunteers. After everyone was anointed and ready for work we signed up for job sites for Monday.

We are looking forward to another great week.

And so another week begins….. We had to say goodbye to most of the community on Saturday morning and eagerly awaiting the arriving volunteers on Saturday evening.

As usual, Sunday is day set aside to spend time together as a community. We started the day going to Mass in Pineville at Holy Cross and then returning back to the school for a quick lunch. After lunch, the group headed up to RD Bailey Lake Dam. The visitor center was closed, but the the view, as always, was incredible. It was a little hot and sticky with temperatures hitting 100. After a quick look over the dam area we returned to our cars and drove to the back side of the dam to explore there. While we were sitting and enjoying the view, the wind started kicking up and a storm started rolling in so we headed to our cars and went back to the school.

After a few mishaps with preparing the dinner, we enjoyed our burgers, beans, pasta salad and the like. After dinner we had a quick reorientation for all the newly arrived PVs. After the reorientation we went right into the commissioning service, anointing the newly arrived PVs for the work that lies ahead of them, as well as connecting them the rest of the summer’s volunteers. After everyone was anointed and ready for work we signed up for job sites for Monday.

We are looking forward to another great week.

“Preach the gospel everyday; if necessary, use words.”
St. Francis of Assisi

Another scorcher today with a high of 97. I am looking forward to not talking about the weather being so hot. Today being Friday, it our day to focus on all things non home repair. Fridays are a chance to assist local agencies and visit with friends.

Today we had three different activities. One group went to St. Vincent DePaul to continue the task of organizing and sorting clothes. A second group headed back to Itmann to continue work on the school house. Today’s big accomplishment there was putting a back door in where a window once was. The place is getting closer and closer to UGWA and Groundworks getting to move into the space.
Later in the afternoon a group of volunteers went to Mullens Manor to play banana bingo and give manicures. The crowd started out small, but by the end of the time it was hopping and all the banana’s were given away.

For dinner we had a combo of yummy never been seen before food and a smorgasbord of leftovers. The “new” food included rice and beans, as well as pork. For dessert there were many options: banana bread, ice cream cake and a fresh dump cake. Who says we don’t eat well here????

The final reflection for the week focused on on family. Using the idea how strong and important families seem to the people in West Virginia, we were asked to reflect on our own families and what we were grateful for in our families.

“Preach the gospel everyday; if necessary, use words.”
St. Francis of Assisi

Another scorcher today with a high of 97. I am looking forward to not talking about the weather being so hot. Today being Friday, it our day to focus on all things non home repair. Fridays are a chance to assist local agencies and visit with friends.

Today we had three different activities. One group went to St. Vincent DePaul to continue the task of organizing and sorting clothes. A second group headed back to Itmann to continue work on the school house. Today’s big accomplishment there was putting a back door in where a window once was. The place is getting closer and closer to UGWA and Groundworks getting to move into the space.
Later in the afternoon a group of volunteers went to Mullens Manor to play banana bingo and give manicures. The crowd started out small, but by the end of the time it was hopping and all the banana’s were given away.

For dinner we had a combo of yummy never been seen before food and a smorgasbord of leftovers. The “new” food included rice and beans, as well as pork. For dessert there were many options: banana bread, ice cream cake and a fresh dump cake. Who says we don’t eat well here????

The final reflection for the week focused on on family. Using the idea how strong and important families seem to the people in West Virginia, we were asked to reflect on our own families and what we were grateful for in our families.

“Preach the gospel everyday; if necessary, use words.”
St. Francis of Assisi

Another scorcher today with a high of 97. I am looking forward to not talking about the weather being so hot. Today being Friday, it our day to focus on all things non home repair. Fridays are a chance to assist local agencies and visit with friends.

Today we had three different activities. One group went to St. Vincent DePaul to continue the task of organizing and sorting clothes. A second group headed back to Itmann to continue work on the school house. Today’s big accomplishment there was putting a back door in where a window once was. The place is getting closer and closer to UGWA and Groundworks getting to move into the space.
Later in the afternoon a group of volunteers went to Mullens Manor to play banana bingo and give manicures. The crowd started out small, but by the end of the time it was hopping and all the banana’s were given away.

For dinner we had a combo of yummy never been seen before food and a smorgasbord of leftovers. The “new” food included rice and beans, as well as pork. For dessert there were many options: banana bread, ice cream cake and a fresh dump cake. Who says we don’t eat well here????

The final reflection for the week focused on on family. Using the idea how strong and important families seem to the people in West Virginia, we were asked to reflect on our own families and what we were grateful for in our families.

After a bit of a delay…..