‘CHRISTIAN LOVE’
Mission trip close to home keeps growing
A group of 130 volunteers, most of them from Berks County churches, spent last week fixing up homes in the Birdsboro area for families in need.
Mission Trip Birdsboro has grown steadily since it started eight years ago. This year its volunteers repaired 31 homes in the borough and nearby communities and fixed the pavilion and picnic tables at Main Bird Park.
The work took place between Wednesday and Saturday, and on Sunday volunteers and recipients celebrated with a picnic at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Birdsboro, where mission organizers spoke of what a great experience it was for all involved.
Actions speak louder
than words, said volunteer Stuart Wells, and during Mission Trip Birdsboro participants strive to demonstrate what it looks like to love your neighbor as yourself.
“We’re following the teachings of Christ, and sharing Christian love,” he said.
When Mission Trip Birdsboro was founded by St. Paul’s UCC Birdsboro in 2014, volunteers worked on four homes and three community projects. It has expanded each year since, with more churches being added, and this year’s volunteer total was the highest yet.
Volunteers ranged in age from 14 to 90 and had varied skill levels, but all were matched with appropriate jobs to keep everyone safe and to make sure the repairs and restorations were done right, said Richie Bowden, site team leader.
Recipients applied to have work done and were chosen by a committee that considered their extenuating circumstances, including age, health and finances so that those most in need were selected.
For many the work not only improves the quality of their home but their morale, Wells said.
For someone who has long been proud of their home, to see peeling paint or loose rain gutters each day and not be able to fix them is a burden, and to have that problem resolved has been important to their mental health, he said.
“They feel uplifted and cared for,” he said. “We saw a lot of joy.”
“Every day has felt like a blessing for both the homeowners and the participants,” Bowden said.
For years Brian and Gretchen Wilcox of Birdsboro had needed to replace two steep sets of stairs to their deck, and the Mission Birdsboro workers finally allowed them to get that project completed.
Gretchen said it wasn’t just that the volunteers handled the tricky job well but that they bonded with her family while they were there.
They started the day with a prayer, swapped stories, and enjoyed their time together, she said.
“We made some friendships,” she said.
Another crew did a lot of yardwork and landscaping at the home of Jean Seivard in Exeter Township, including taking down a tree and restoring her flower beds.
Seivard has back issues that leave her unable to do that work, and she appreciated the volunteers.
“They were absolutely amazing,” Seivard said. “My place looks 100 percent better.”