The Connectional church is at work again. Youth of the Memphis Conference from three church youth groups, Greenfield, Calvert City, and Kenton, arrived on a Friday night at Reelfoot Rural Ministries to work at a mission retreat. 

 

The next morning we had a big breakfast, then we loaded up the Calvert City United Methodist Church bus with painting equipment for 16 youths and six adults. We had our lunch and soft drinks and water packed and ready to go.

 

God provided us with a beautiful sunshiny fall work day. The youth were a hard working team. When they started painting, they just kept working. Even in places that seemed to be an impossible obstacle, like high gables, they just kept climbing ladders until they got the job done. There was one particular place that two of the youth painted that I would not have painted when I was twenty years old!

 

The neighbors came out and sat in chairs, watching the youth in action. It was funny!

 

When we ate lunch we sat around and talked and shared before we went back to work where we left off. 

The owners kept coming to me and saying “These kids are doing a great job.” 

 

Mrs. Turner kept asking, “Do the kids need something to drink?” I assured them that we had plenty of water and cold drinks for them. 

 

Finally the last gable was painted and we were finished. The only one injured was an adult who was stung and shocked by a wire.

 

As we were gathering our equipment, Mr. Turner pulled me to the side and said, “I want you to see how the back of the house is shining with this new paint job.” 

 

As the youth said their good-byes, Mrs. Turner began to cry. She was sincerely appreciative of what the young people and adults had done for them and their house.  

 

After all the work was finished, we went by Reelfoot Rural Ministries and had a four course meal that we all thought delicious. Then we had a powerful worship service.

 

As a member of the Memphis Conference Youth Connection, my heart was warmed to see youth sharing their Saturday by helping two old people in the Obion County community by painting their house. Praise God!