We’ve arrived! by Taylor Schatz | November 6, 2019 9:55 PM
Anchored made it to Oak Hill, WV around 7 tonight! After a long day of driving, we joined the church’s Awana program! We enjoyed pizza, played games with the kids, and passed out candy (their trunk or treat was cancelled, so we got to treat the kids tonight). We’ve got a full day tomorrow, so after orientation meeting we settled into our rooms and are getting ready to get some rest. Prayers for a great nights sleep and for energy to start off on ministry sites tomorrow is appreciated!
Royal White Houseby Ronda Baldwin | November 7, 2019 8:24 PM
We spent the day at Camp Royal, which is a ministry devoted to reaching kids with the gospel through action sports. Part of our group worked hard scraping and painting inside the house that will lodge the professional athletes that come work in the summers.
Prayer of Consecrationby Ronda Baldwin | November 7, 2019 8:26 PM
We also took time to pray over the house. Many of the athletes that come in the summer don't know Jesus, so we asked the Lord to open the door to gospel conversations in this house where they will live for weeks.
The Briar Patchby Ronda Baldwin | November 7, 2019 8:27 PM
Outside the white house we spent hours cutting briars and brambles to clear the yard. It was hard work, but felt good to see the results.
Bike Trailby Ronda Baldwin | November 7, 2019 8:29 PM
Several of us helped clear brush off a mountain bike trail connecting the front of the camp to the back. It was fun to work together to see lots of progress.
The Logging Crewby Ronda Baldwin | November 7, 2019 8:34 PM
Lifting big logs is hard! We were proud of the work we did clearing fallen trees from the sides of the trails. And a huge root system!
Lunch Adventure!by Ronda Baldwin | November 7, 2019 8:38 PM
Despite the rain we had a good time exploring the old railway town of Thurmond, WV. A train came through, we saw old buildings, and walked out in the one-way bridge after a picnic lunch on the porch of the railway station.
Play Time!by Ronda Baldwin | November 7, 2019 8:40 PM
After working hard for a few more hours after lunch, we got to play on the indoor tracks at Camp Royal. It was so much fun!
After School at Royalby Ronda Baldwin | November 7, 2019 8:43 PM
We were blessed to hang out with the after school middle School group at Camp Royal. The kids enjoyed having you as well. They had fun with the craft as much as riding scooters and bikes.
Devotion Timeby Ronda Baldwin | November 7, 2019 8:44 PM
Gabe from Camp Royal led a devotion for the after school program. It was a good reminder of the power of the gospel and why we are so valuable to God.
In the thick of it.... literally! by Taylor Schatz | November 8, 2019 11:36 AM
We’ve got a crew back at Camp Royal today clearing out an entire yard full of briars. This is no easy task- briars are sharp and prickly, but this group has gone above and beyond, cutting it out and loading it into a trailer. Gabe and Randy, Camp Royal staff, have expressed how impressed and grateful they are. If their staff were to do this alone (5 guys who are inundated with so many other tasks each day), they said it would take them multiple weeks to do at least. This is a huge blessing for them. We’ve come in and cleared a huge portion of the yard in just 3 hours! We’re excited to finish cleaning that up outside the White House this afternoon!
Pine knoll pop up ministry!by Lonnie Maley | November 8, 2019 6:42 PM
We had a great evening hanging out with the kids tonight. Spent some time sharing while we created necklaces and bracelets! They're awesome!!!
Bramble crew by Taylor Schatz | November 8, 2019 9:33 PM
Our hardworking crew at the White House today! It’s amazing all we got done in less than 5 hours! We loaded 2 of these trailers full and it was so fun to see the progress made. The yard is completely transformed!
Christmas Time!by Ronda Baldwin | November 9, 2019 12:22 PM
We got to wrap lots of presents to help needed families for Christmas.
Warm Hands Warm Heartsby Ronda Baldwin | November 9, 2019 12:28 PM
We spent several hours print together gloves and hats for area schools to distribute to children who need them. We had fun singing while we worked.
Filling Food Bagsby Ronda Baldwin | November 9, 2019 12:31 PM
The Center of Hope is a food pantry several nights a week. We were able to fill over a hundred bags of food for them to distribute this week.
Pantry Projectby Ronda Baldwin | November 9, 2019 12:35 PM
We got to use power tools! The ladies in the Center of Hope kitchen we're very grateful for their new pantry.
Menu Wall of Nationsby Ronda Baldwin | November 9, 2019 12:44 PM
It was fun to finish the gym wall with menus from many nations. What a joy it is to think of how far the gospel can spread from this place!
Pop Up Ministryby Ronda Baldwin | November 9, 2019 12:52 PM
We had so much fun doing a pop up ministry at a local apartment complex! We didn't have a lot of kids because of the temperature. It's COLD! The ones who came we're so sweet and loved making bracelets and playing games.
More Pop Upby Ronda Baldwin | November 9, 2019 12:55 PM
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Servant Heartby Taylor Schatz | November 9, 2019 1:13 PM
Friday night we came back to our lodging for the evening, and our new friends (uncle) Brian and (Aunt) Debi from South Carolina read from the Word about Jesus washing the disciples feet and challenged us to lead lives as a servant, doing anything and everything, no matter the task. It was a blessing to hear from them!
Oh Christmas Tree!by Taylor Schatz | November 9, 2019 1:25 PM
Corinne and Carlie set up the Christmas Tree at Center Of Hope today. We can’t wait to see a lot of the presents we wrapped under that tree for the community kids!
Rooftop Viewsby Taylor Schatz | November 9, 2019 1:29 PM
These guys were up to the challenge of demo and dumping this morning! They grabbed everything that our demo crew took down and hauled it over the edge of the building (safely... don’t worry)!
Backyard Gathering Spaceby Taylor Schatz | November 9, 2019 11:14 PM
Nick, Sammy, Joe and Alex we’re tasked with assembling the benches and getting them hung so they could be used for a backyard meeting space! They also strung lights and helped make this area one that can be enjoyed by the community. Tonight we will get to worship around it!
Demo Clean Upby Taylor Schatz | November 9, 2019 11:18 PM
While some of our team demoed they third floor of the COH building on Saturday afternoon, others were tasked with hauling what needed to be thrown out to a trailer that would bring it to the dump. It wasn’t an easy task, but these girls were up to the challenge!
Hedbanz!by Taylor Schatz | November 9, 2019 11:27 PM
Nothing like an afternoon playing games with some of the kids that came to the center today! We loved getting to know each of them. Let’s just say we got our fill of candyland, twister and I spy!
Community Lunch by Taylor Schatz | November 10, 2019 6:07 AM
From 1-3, we assisted in hosting a free community meal. We not only cleaned and prepped the center for it, our team cooked, took orders, served and ate with those that came! It was really cool to hear stories of those that live here in Oak Hill, everything from their families to the history of the town and what struggles they’re going through currently. We were able to pray with a few people as well.
New River Gorgeby Taylor Schatz | November 10, 2019 6:11 AM
After a day of hard work and community time, we took a quick break to visit the New River Gorge bridge. It was really beautiful to stand on the overlooks and see the mountains, fall colors, massive bridge and rushing water below.
Today we also wore our SamStrong/Samvincible shirts! We missed him on our trip but he was here in spirit! Look at that good looking group!
Fire Finaleby Ronda Baldwin | November 10, 2019 6:21 AM
Our trip ended with a campfire worship and devotion time at Center of Hope. It was powerful, and the Lord moved in many of us. After hugs and tears, we closed out our ministry time in West Virginia.
