When we arrived in the small town of Duffield, Virginia we didn’t know what to expect. Our team proved to be a very diverse group coming from Tennessee, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and California, with backgrounds that span the spectrum. That first night the excitement among these individuals energized us for the next day.
Our ministries took us to Kingsport, TN and Big Stone Gap, VA. We worked with a group that feeds and clothes the homeless called “Hunger First” in Kingsport, an organization called P.A.C.E. in Big Stone Gap, the Brookhaven nursing home, in Kingsport, and then last but not least performed construction and rehab at a wonderful disabled lady named Doris’ house.
I spent two days working with PACE and two with Hunger First. I also spent a half day at Brookhaven and ended my week sitting on Doris’ beautiful wrap around porch praising God and eating far too much (thanks to our project leader Lydia!).
This blog note is being posted after the trip because our days and evenings were too full to even think about writing after a day of work and/or activity. Let me give you a few highlights of the week.
First off let me talk about PACE. If you ever have to go to Adult Daycare, pray it’s a place like PACE! It is a place that does everything it can to keep its residents in their home as long as possible. The entire day is structured and filled with activities such as puzzles, exercise, physical and occupational therapy, a grand lunch, snacks, and even a smoke break! But what was special were the people. Even thou these people lived in theirs or a relative’s home, they were so often lonely. Many are on oxygen from “Black Lung” (the area use to be a booming coal mine town). Many know Jesus, but I found some do not. My two best visits were with a woman with black lung, struggling to breathe, and who admitted she was lonely. But then she sweetly said to me “But Oh, I’m never alone. Jesus is always with me.” It was music to my ear since I asked everyone I met there if they knew Jesus. But another man, had a different story. Also with black lung, he did not know Jesus. Nor did he believe he ever would accept him. But he did indeed know the Bible. But when I asked where he thought he would go when he died, he defiantly said in a bold voice “I’m going to HELL”. I asked him how that made him feel and he said “I don’t like it” and I said but not enough to accept Jesus (we had been talking for some time at this point) and he said “No” as tears formed in his eyes. He pulled his glasses off, wiped his eyes and we continued to talk at lengths about his past and life story. When it was all said and done many seeds were planted, and I left telling him I hoped to see him in Heaven someday.
The Brookhaven nursing home was different. You did not see the smiling faces of those who would go home at the end of the day, but instead, you saw hopelessness. Many had their full mental facilities and would gladly discuss their relationship with God with you. And they took great joy in knowing someone cared enough to stop by and do a craft with them, play a game and listen to their life story. I prayed with one sweet lady who would not give up hope that one day she would walk out of the facility and go home.
I did not work directly at Doris’ house, but each night many exciting stories were told of this feisty lady who directed and supervised the rehab of her porch, and the pulling of weeds and getting her yard in order. But I did meet her the last day when we had dinner on that porch that the team had lovingly worked so hard on. The temperature was VERY hot, and a lot of sweat and tears were spilled on that porch. She was very grateful and joined us as we praised God in song in that “hollar”. It was a special time of praise as voices reverberated off the massive mountains on all sides. What a special time of worship it was!
And lastly, let me talk about “Hunger First”. Hunger First is run by a man who is carrying on his mother’s legacy of feeding and clothing the poor. The uniqueness of this is that it is run by a group of volunteers who have abused substances, been in jail or prison, been homeless or down on their luck. I must say this ministry taught me the most about myself and service to others. Their unconditional love was amazing. It did not matter if you were on drugs when you came for a meal or groceries, if you were drunk, homeless, mentally handicap, etc. the love was the same. And they do this on a budget that is feast or famine. They know not where the next rent money will come from. I spent much time talking about Christ and her broken past with a lady that ran the “clothing” side of the building. God taught me a different way to love those two days. I come from a Law Enforcement background and my opinion of drug dealers, drunks, and the homeless was different. But God humbled my attitude as he molded me to see like Jesus. It was an experience I will not forget.
I could tell many colorful stories about Hunger First, but instead, I challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and come next year to minister in this area. See what God can show you as you prayer walk the “rough” neighborhood around Hunger First, as you see the broken and hopeless people who come to get clothes and food, as you learn of the wicked hurtful abusive past of a young man named “Frosty”. I promise you that God will bless you.
I’ll conclude this with a story about the people I served with. As I mentioned in my opening, a more diverse group you’ll be hard pressed to find. But this was a most unique mission trip because among this team great and mighty healing occurred. People bonded as spiritual brothers and sisters and shared their hearts. Many, many tears were shed, and a vast amount of prayer was lifted up to our Heavenly Father. It was a sight to behold!
But I can’t close without mentioning our Team Leader Lydia from AIM. A most gracious host. We ran amuck (is that the saying?) and she was unable to keep us straight, but she kept a smile on her face! She showed genuine love for this team, and I believe she made some life time friends out these “old folks”. I am confident that God has mighty and great plans for her, and she just gained man new prayer warriors. I came to love this young lady and I pray she never loses her love for the hopeless and hurting people of the world. May God bless you Lydia in all you do!
Linda Bilyeu
Lynnville, TN
