Letha Latimore already had
no qualms with today's teenagers.
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At Thursday nightıs Mission: McDuffi e worship rally, homeowner Letha
Latimore thanks the teenagers who painted her house.
Photo by Kristopher Wells
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But she especially loves the
ones that painted her house last
week, not because they were getting
paid to, but because they
volunteered to.
A group of about 100 teenagers
and 25 adults from several
local churches in McDuffie and
Jefferson counties spent last
week repairing and painting
houses, cleaning up yards and
lending a helpful hand to nine
McDuffie County homeowners
like Ms. Latimore.
"I think that it made a big
difference to these people," said
David Lambert, the event's
organizer and youth minister
at Thomson First Baptist.
"Just talking with them at
their homes, seeing their reaction
You could tell that it did
more than just make their day.
It really blessed them."
Now in its third year, Mission:
McDuffie has grown each year.
According to Mr. Lambert, this
year's installment of the mission
project was a phenomenal
success.
"It seems to really have found
its footing," he said. "The other
youth ministers have caught the
vision of it, and really it's become
a collaborative effort."
During the evenings, the
workers met in the youth building
of Thomson First United
Methodist Church for worship
services. At the final service of
the week on Thursday night,
several of the homeowners came
to participate and to share how
the work done on their homes
had helped them.
"It made me feel wonderful
because it changed the whole
appearance of the house, and it
looks nice," Ms. Latimore said.
"Stuff that I couldn't do myself,
they did it for me."
Several other needs presented
themselves as the week rolled
on, and those in charge said
that the needs were met only
one way, by God. Appliances,
such as stoves
and refrigerators,
were provided,
and a well
that had been
inoperable for
several months
was repaired.
"It's just been
awesome to see
how God has
been there to
provide for every
need," Mr. Lambert
said.
Not only did
the work done
during Mission:
McDuffie help
improve some
area homes, but
according to the
homeowners, it
touched lives as
well.
"I really didn't
know that people
cared that much.
There's people
that really care
because they
have God in their
heart. And that's
just the way I
look at it," Ms.
Latimore said.
"They don't see
any colors, they
don't see nothing.
They're just doing. You
can't help but to love people
like that."
"It just means so much to me
to see how teenagers can come
together and care about their
community at such an early age,"
said Merlinda D'Antignac, who
has promised to get involved
next year. "It shows you've got
some good kids out there."
In addition to members of
the community being helped
and touched, organizers said the
participating teenagers were able
to learn more about their role in
the church. And they even said
the week was a blessing to their
lives as well.
"Things that were accomplished
in addition to homes
being helped with those who
could not afford, young people
got to work together as the
body of Christ," said Dearing
Baptist Youth Minister David
Harbeson. "The young people,
it gave them a chance to worship
together ecumenically with
folks that they normally don't
get to worship with."
Organizers already have plans
to expand next year's Mission:
McDuffie to include more houses
to keep up with the number
of participants. They also plan to
get some of the African-American
churches in the community
involved. Expansion into Jefferson
County is also a possibility
for next year's event.
Those wanting to participate
in Mission: McDuffie 2005 as
volunteers or those in need of
home repair can contact Mr.
Lambert at 595-4252.
