Putting faith into action: Geneva Methodist volunteers repair rural West Virginia homes in 42nd annual mission trip

United Methodist Church of Geneva volunteers repair a home in rural Charleston, West Virginia, during a 42nd annual Appalachian Service Project June 15-22.
Courtesy of United Methodist Church of Geneva

United Methodist Church of Geneva went a little bit country at the July 21 service.

A half dozen congregants sang and played “Rocky Top” and “Take Me Home, Country Roads” to accompany reflections from a recently completed mission trip to Charleston, West Virginia. The tunes accompanied speeches from leaders and videotapes of volunteer testimonies and projects.

Thirty youth and adults from the Geneva church put faith into action with their 42nd annual Appalachian Service Project June 15-22.

Geneva UMC members Mike and Julie Popplewell co-coordinated the church’s participation in Appalachian Service Project. Team members carpooled in five 15-passenger vans to Kanawha County for a week of repairing four rural homes.

Appalachian Service Project, a Johnson City, Tenn.-based nonprofit, serves Kentucky, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.

Mike Popplewell said, “We worked daily Monday through Friday from about 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Work included weatherizing homes and mobile homes with insulation and underpinning, applying vinyl siding, and installing interior flooring and a bathroom replacement.”

A main project involved gutting a formerly vacant house and preparing it to be completely rehabbed into a new home to be gifted to a deserving applicant through a partnership with the city and Appalachian Service Project.

Julie Popplewell, Katy Howell and their crew were tasked with removing all walls and ceilings down to the studs.

“We came back each day covered in dust and soot and worked each day wearing masks and eye protection, so when we took off our goggles and gloves there were lines where the dirt stopped and our skin began!” Julie said.

Mike Popplewell added, “Group evening activities included reflecting on what it means to live and work in an economically depressed area like the Appalachian Mountains. Each night we circled up at 10 p.m. and shared our thoughts from the day — it helps us all process what we are seeing and doing- especially for the youth.”

“Midweek activities included a picnic with local homeowners and their families, with food and fellowship and delicious ice cream desserts at a local dairy bar.”

Appalachian Service Project volunteers support the local economy when possible by purchasing snacks, gas and other supplies locally.

Volunteers were housed at a local downtown church, sleeping on cots and air mattresses in a gymnasium. Appalachian Service Project lined up local volunteers to cook meals Sunday evening through Friday evening.

According to Popplewell, Geneva UMC volunteers contributed a minimum $300 each for transportation, gasoline and tolls. He added, “The church offers need-based scholarships because we wouldn’t want anything to get in the way of a student participating if they’re interested!”

Pre-trek group fundraisers included car washes, write-a-letter-home campaigns and selling chocolate-covered strawberries for Valentines day. Other fundraisers included a chili cook-off and a meat sale with Geneva’s local Country Village Meats, where the market donated a portion of the proceeds.

Additionally, congregants contributed donations for doughnuts served after worship services and some members sponsored individual participants.

The team gathered at the church on June 14 for a potluck dinner. After dinner, volunteers packed vans and met with adult leaders for last-minute details. The team departed at 7 a.m. June 15.

Geneva UMC Pastor Rob Hamilton led a send-off ceremony for the team during the previous Sunday’s service.