By, Anonymous
Trying something you have never done before is hard, isn't it? This past summer in July, I went down to Breathitt County, Kentucky for Appalachia Service Project to help rebuild houses from a flood that had struck in July of 2022. Being in a place that I have never been before was scary and there was no hiding it. I truly questioned if this was the right fit for me.
The first night when we arrived in Breathitt County, Kentucky, I was then selected to visit one of the homes. A lot was going through my mind such as, “What if this was a mistake?” and “What if I fail to help my team?” and “What if I can not connect with the homeowners?” A thunderstorm was going through my mind on the way to the house. Fortunately, meeting the homeowner was the rainbow coming out after the storm. He opened the door right away and gave me a humongous hug. We talked for hours upon hours, and he introduced us to his two of his four adorable and bubbly children.
Over the five days working on their house, I began learning so much about myself. This was a new experience for me, and I wanted to make sure I could pull my weight for the team.
My construction background was not that strong, which had me testing my limits to a whole other extent. I had never done underpinning, roof repairs, and installing insulation in floors. Yes, it was challenging and I wanted to give up at some points when it got too difficult, but I persevered to make the homeowners feel at home again. My peers and I helped a lot in the home, which will now be protected from harsh weather in the future.
I never predicted I could be so passionate about helping a family that I barely knew, and I was so nervous about my success at the beginning. This experience made me grow as a person, and become more aware and thankful for everything I have, including my family, my friends, and my home. I am able to teach others what I have learned through this experience. I thought connections had to be built over time, but the second I got the hug from the homeowner, I felt an immediate bond which has left an everlasting impact on me that I will carry with me forever. Only a few weeks after my return, I began planning another trip down to visit the homeowners over winter break to make more memories with people who I love and learned so much from.