Anchored Student Ministries

After a pretty easy drive across Pennsylvania, we made it to Moundsville, WV. We're so excited about what the Lord is going to do this week!

After unloading luggage we went to the highest point in the city and took time to ask God to prepare our hearts for what lies ahead.

We silence our hearts and minds to hear the living God breathe and move through us. 

It is not coiencedence that all of us are gathered here today. 

Expect God to do some big things with this group!

Appalachian Outreach is an organization that collects donations of all kinds and distributes them around the entire state of West Virginia. Anyone who is in need, especially those affected by natural disaster, fires, or other tragedies, are able to receive whatever they need to start over. We were blessed to help sort donations from individuals, remove store stickers from brand new donations from stores, make posters, and rewire some lights. It was a joy to help and encourage the full time volunteers at this ministry. 

Part of our group served at the community kitchen today, and all of us got to eat lunch with the people who are served by that ministry. It was like watching Jesus in action as the needs of the community were met through meals and conversation. 

Day 2 of ministry started out with sweet puppy kisses as some of our girls got to spend time at the animal shelter again. They cleaned cages and walked dogs, but cuddling brand new puppies was definitely the highlight. It was a fun way to support and encourage the staff at the shelter. 

Today our Lift, Spackle, Paint Crew finished the second coat on Pastor Sean's office. We also spackled and painted a bathroom in the office building. We were able to finish the whole job! 

We got the opportunity to give back to our lodging hosts once again with a project that hasn't been done in a very long time, cleaning blinds! Thick dust took up some of our afternoon as well as getting some other tough tasks done that just haven't been done in a while.

Our time at Appalachian Outreach ended with a special prayer over Ms. Rose, the director of this ministry we've grown to love. It was a holy moment to be able to lift her to the Lord and recognize His work and the need for Him in this ministry. We'll never forget her or the privilege it was to be a part of this work. 

Today was the best day! We all started together and went to the Laughlin Chapel in Wheeling, WV. We prepared and served a pancake breakfast for the kids, hosted a talent show where acts from both our group and their's performed, played group games, and fed them a hot dog lunch before the bus took them home. We loved spending time with the kids and getting to interact with them and ther staff as friends. Again we are reminded that ministry is full of fun! 

After a wonderful morning we took an hour to go on a tour of the old State Penitentiary in Moundsville, it closed down a few decades ago but draws a big crowd from people out of state. A little learning experience to see this side of the bars and how prisoners were treated and what led to the 1986 prison riot that eventually led to the closing and moving of the penitentiary.