The Appalachia mission trip is a service trip that not only aims to help others in need but to help everyone involved grow in their faith. This trip helps volunteers see how strong faith can be in the face of poverty.
A group of student and adult volunteers visit West Virginia for six days over the summer or spring with the goal of helping the less fortunate. Theology teacher, Gerard Striby, has lead the trip since 2006.
“We have a mission trip because of the opportunity to serve and help other much less fortunate than ourselves,” Striby said, “that really hasn’t changed.”
The trip focused on helping those who cannot afford help; these people have lived in many different areas and have had many different backgrounds. Listening to their stories and how they stay strong in their faith is a large part of the trip according to Striby.
“Not trips, but certain people we have helped stand out,” Striby said, “Certain things we have done and people I have met stand out.”
The trip presents opportunities for both student and adult volunteers to grow in their faith. The people helped on these trips show great faith in the face of poverty.
“I think that one of the biggest opportunities to grow in our faith is the people that we work for and help out and the faith they have and how they are living their lives with such difficulties and still being faithful themselves.”
