In 2004 Emmanuel's first domestic mission trip was to McDowell County, West Virginia, to support an Episcopal project called the Highlands Educational Project. We had 18 travelers; stayed in a church/dormitory at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Welch, WV, and spent the week of August 22 - 28 adding decks to trailers of folks who have had to relocate because of recent floods. The next summer (2005) 22 of us returned to Welch July 24 - 30 and refurbished a family's trailer. What's next: We returned to Welch August 6 - 12, 2006 and continued our deck work on three different trailers, replacing two and adding one. The Missions Committee meets the first Tuesday of each Month at 7:00 pm. Come join us as we make plans for next summer's mission trip!
Thanks to the Emmanuel congregation for the usual amazing support this parish always provides: for prayers from all of you and from the Prayer Partners, who prayed for us specifically each day of the mission), for making our auction/raffle event so successful; for contributing an amazing amount of school supplies for the children of McDowell County; for the “extra” donations that helped us finish our fundraising; and for all the love and well wishes that we carried with us! You all are the best!!
The following account of the 2005 summer's trip was written by Carol Bowers:
Emmanuel has just completed its third mission trip—the second to Welch, WV! On Sunday, July 24, 22 members of Emmanuel headed to McDowell County, WV to embark on God’s work in some new and exciting activities. We had a caravan of three vehicles leaving on Sunday and two vehicles traveling at different times. We made great time on the way up with only scheduled stops. We arrived at St. Luke’s at approximately 4:30 p.m. and began our 
unloading and the trek up the 42 steps. We were lucky to have five teenage boys with us and they had loads of energy for running up and down the steps! We thanked God for a lot of things that week and these boys were definitely one of them.
We found the parish hall of St. Luke’s (where we slept the next six days) with a fresh coat of paint, a new ceiling and new mattresses on all the beds. We quickly claimed our sleeping quarters and began putting away our food and setting up our tables for our meals. Yes, 22 of us sat around one table for our meals. I personally believe
that dinner is one of the highlights of each of our days – not only for the wonderful nourishment to our body, but the fellowship as well. There is no special seating so you end up sitting next to a different person every night. We also used these tables for our “killer” games of Uno and for a puzzle that always seemed to be in progress.
We woke up Monday morning to a new obstacle. The City of Welch was working on the sewer line on the road in front of St. Luke’s. We not only had to walk up 42 steps now, but we also had to walk two blocks to and from where the vehicles were parked. At the end of a long and hot day, that meant we had to walk uphill! Monday morning we also received our work assignment. Up until the Saturday before we left, we thought we were building decks like we did last year. However, we were given an even greater task (especially since we had that deck thing figured out from last year!). Don Lester, the head of HEP (Highland Educational Project), the organization that we work through, said we were going to be working on a trailer. This trailer had been through two floods, had rotted floors, broken windows, a questionable roof, no electricity, no running water and badly needed a fresh coat of paint. When we drove up to the trailer on the 
first day, I can honestly say that most of us just stood outside the gate looking, not knowing where to start. Luckily, our experienced team members jumped right in and began assessing the situation. The youth began cutting down the weeds around the property, while others began picking up trash and making the yard more worker-friendly.
During the next week we were able to accomplish the primary jobs that we set out to do. These included: replacing and tiling the floor, replacing the broken windows, painting the exterior of the trailer and replacing the skirting around the bottom, and sealing the roof. We purchased a new bathroom vanity for the homeowner and HEP paid the outstanding charges so that her electricity can be turned back on. In addition, they purchased a new stove, which we installed for her.
Another component of our mission trip included the collection of school supplies. We had previously sent several boxes by the Kinleys who were going to West Virginia early (Daniel is from Beckley and his parents babysat Benjamin for the week). We also had an additional 13 cases that we really did not know if we were going to be able to take due to space. We had more people going this 
year and one of our vehicles was smaller than last year. Anyway, God did provide (as he always does) and we were able to get ALL of the school supplies in the van. When we delivered them to Rev. Hilda Kennedy at the Premier Community Center, she was VERY pleased. She told us how just last week, her assistant stated that she didn’t know what they were going to do, they were out of crayons. Rev. Hilda told her not to worry, that God would provide. Lo and behold, here Emmanuel rolls in with nearly 20 cases of school supplies – many of which were crayons! It’s pretty cool being on the giving end of one of God’s answered prayers.
We spent Wednesday, our day off, at Pipestem State Park. The park is about one and a half hours from Welch. We had a great time with a picnic lunch, swimming, horseback riding, miniature golf and shopping. We had dinner in a really nice restaurant with a wonderful mountain view of a thunderstorm. Oh yes, and we saw Jesus on the side of the road! (Ask us about that one later!)
We spent our other free time during the week reading, playing Uno, working jigsaw puzzles, and just enjoying one another’s company. We had a wonderful, moving Eucharist on Friday evening
with Rev. Hilda Kennedy and Chuck did a wonderful job of making sure that Compline was provided each evening and Morning Prayer each morning. Jan Kistler celebrated her birthday while we were in West Virginia and the boys serenaded her with a song accompanied by the guitar.
We headed home on Saturday. While we did run into some bad weather on the way home, we had clear skies during our working hours the entire week. Although it was very hot, the rain always held off until the end of our day. We also had a few injuries, but thankfully only two tetanus shots were required and none of the injuries required stitches or a cast.
I think I speak for everyone when I say we had a wonderful, God-filled week. We had a great group of people with many talents and gifts that we were able to share with one another. We especially thank our prayer partners and all the folks of Emmanuel who supported us before, during, and after our trip.
Mission to West Virginia
