When I first decided to do ASP, I have to admit I was a little skeptical. This was my first time on this trip, and my first time away from home.  I’m just a fourteen year old girl. What did I know about fixing houses?  As the week went on, I realized that that’s not what ASP is about. This trip is about building relationships with the families, the other churches, and God, not just houses.  I realized that I was meant to go on this trip. God sent me to ASP for a reason, not only to benefit others, but to benefit myself. 

I feel that I grew more as a person and Christian than I ever thought I could in one week.  I realized that I am not just a fourteen year old girl. I am an integral part of not only this trip, but of God’s overall purpose for us as well. I saw God more times than I can count this week, which is why I can’t wait to come back next year.

Editor's Note:

From Saturday, June 19 to Sunday, June 27, the Orthodox Youth Mission Team traveled to Mingo County, West Virginia - Home of the Hatfield and McCoy Feud. Ten months of preparations culminated in 28 people - 9 adults and 19 youths from six different parishes and three different Orthodox jurisdictions - traveling to Matewan, WV to work on four different projects for four different families.

The team, led by Father Luke Mihaly of Danbury and Father David Cochran from St. John's in Bridgeport, consisted of 28 teens and adults from Holy Trinity Danbury, St. John's Bridgeport and St. John's Silver Lane, Stratford, CT as well as members from the Greek Archdiocese and 2 OCA parishes. The group spent the week helping make homes "warmer, safer, and drier."