Junior Bryan Mills and freshman Sam Osei-Bonsu spent the week with Habitat for Humanity.
-Andrew Stauffer
Danielle Bush
Guest Editorial
March 18, 2005
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Junior Bryan Mills and freshman Sam Osei-Bonsu spent the week with Habitat for Humanity.-Andrew Stauffer |
My name is Danielle Bush, and this spring break I went to St. Mary’s, Ga. with Habitat for Humanity. This trip was truly amazing in every way possible.
The trip began with twelve Milligan students piled in a fifteen passenger van with all their belongings packed somewhere inside as we made our nine hour drive to Georgia. The ride down was a great experience that allowed us to bond as a group and get to know more about each other.
We arrived late Sunday evening to the warehouse, a youth room that belonged to St. Mary’s Methodist Church. They were very kind and allowed us to stay in their youth room for the week. With couches, game tables, a worship area, food welcoming us and a great soundboard, the warehouse was an awesome place. The week seemed to fly by, and I had such a growing experience both spiritually and skillfully.
We all got to meet the homeowners. Seeing the family that was going to move into the house we were building was very moving. It allowed us to see how much they truly appreciated us helping to build their house.
When we arrived on the work site, the foundation was already laid, and most of the roof was up. By the end of the week we were able to get all the walls up and have almost the entire siding put on the house In addition, all the windows were in and one of the doors was placed in the house. Lastly, almost the entire roof was finished, and more than half of the shingles were put up.
Even though we did not finish the house during the week it was a great learning experience, and the people that worked with us were amazing people. Allen, who is a youth minister, and Pat, who is on the Habitat board and was previously in the army, were both great people to work with. They definitely made the work experience one that none of us will ever forget. Pat and Allen both became part of our group that week, and we all worked on the same page, knowing what had to get done.
Not only did we bond as a group on the work site but also during the many evening activities. On Monday night we went to Pineapple Patch, a paint your own ceramics store. Tuesday night we went to a youth worship service with a live band that was in a trailer. The whole service was broadcasted live on the radio for all of St. Mary’s to hear.
When we were not at a planned activity or the work site, we were in the warehouse hanging out and fellowshipping with each other. We played games and sang songs. I will never forget the last couple of nights - kicking the soccer ball around inside, falling to floor as we chased after the ball or being terribly beaten at pool. Going on the Habitat trip was an amazing experience I will never forget.