This summer, nearly 370 people – including 250 Southlake-area high school students – traveled with the White’s Chapel Methodist Church Student Ministry on a one-week trip to repair homes for people in Little Rock, Arkansas. Not all the kids were church members; friends came along as well. Everyone was welcome, said Floyd Joseph, co-director of the Student Ministry group with his wife, Michelle.
Floyd and Michelle have been organizing these trips since 2011. The groups have also visited cities in Oklahoma, Missouri and Louisiana. For three years, the ministry has worked with an Arkansas-based charity that has more requests than it can manage alone. This is where White’s Chapel steps in.
Both boys and girls attend these trips. Most are from Southlake Carroll High School, although others from around the Metroplex join in too. This year, a former exchange student from Spain returned to be a part of the program.
21 groups worked on 20 different sites. Some built wheelchair ramps. Some installed siding on houses. Some groups repaired and painted fencing, while others demolished and rebuilt decks that had been virtually unusable before. Some groups rebuilt steps, and others installed roofing shingles. When there was extra time, the kids helped with lawn work and other projects.
A learning, bonding experience
Mission leader Jared Smith - a skilled handyman with an engineering degree from Texas A&M University - oversees the work they do, Floyd said. Jared recruits adult group leaders with a construction background to oversee the sites. These leaders arrive early, devise a plan, develop a materials list and order of operations, so they’re ready to teach students when the busses pull up.
“It’s hard, hot, sweaty work, but so rewarding. There’s reflection time at the end of each day, and it’s great to see how proud the kids are of what they’ve accomplished for others,” Floyd said. “The experience leaves a lasting impression on the kids.”
Will Walters, Sam Erickson and Graham Steffer are longtime friends who were part of the same work group, led by Will’s dad, Scott, and grandfather, Jim. Sam is a high school freshman who’s been part of these trips for three years. He says this is one of his favorite weeks of the year. Graham is a sophomore who’s been on the last two trips. He says it feels great to accomplish something that helps other people. Will is a sophomore who’s participated for three years. He likes the feeling of community that these trips build, and being able to do “good, honest work.” All three said that the faith aspect of the trip helped them feel closer to God.
The boys’ workgroup replaced a fence for Marie, a Little Rock homeowner who applied for help through her church. She never dreamed she might be selected for a home repair project. In addition to the fence, she also asked for a porch handrail, since her 75-year-old mother and 90-year-old grandmother needed an easier way to visit. Various groups worked on different aspects of the repairs, and Marie said there was “such a sense of joy and fun” among the boys as they worked.
“They took care of everything like it was their own home, even down to the cleanup. They brought their own tent, lunches and music. It was like a family reunion, with neighbors stopping by to say hello and watch the progress,” she said. “The kids all had the best attitudes, and I felt so blessed and grateful to have been chosen for this mission.”
Marie lives alone and finds it hard to get repairs done on her own.
“It’s so good to see these youngsters put themselves in someone else’s shoes and to experience communities coming together like this,” she said.
“The week was so memorable. The teams came together to make my dreams come true.”
“These kids could have been anywhere: home playing video games, or on vacation, but they were helping other families.” – Marie, homeowner