Hello Friends of the project. News through May

  1. I recently met with Bob Gehman, the executive director of the Helping Up Mission in Baltimore. http://www.helpingupmission.org/ Bob gave me some advice about mission work. For one thing, he said that “People won’t help unless they know who the people are that they are being asked to help.”  Outside of Appalachia, people don’t know the extent of the problems there. I knew this to be true at the onset of this project but could not come to terms with it. I knew that I could help the poor with appliances. I really didn’t think that I could do anything to advertise the plight of impoverished Appalachia, so I pressed on with doing what I thought I could. This was probably a mistake. I am currently seeking a way to “tell the story.” If anyone can help or make suggestions, I would be very appreciative.
  2. Recently attended the first of a series of seminars on volunteerism. I did not gain a clear understanding of how to proceed with organizing a volunteer organization, but did learn of some mistakes that we already made.
  3. Some problems have come up with shipping. I can only drop off appliances and bedding when the tractor/trailer is onsite. The shipper does not have sufficient volunteer staff to move these units from the storage shed to the trailer. So, if the trailer is not there, I have to hold them until the tractor comes back from a road trip. Furthermore, the shipping schedule isn’t rigid enough for me to be able to schedule help in delivering units. This further taxes our inadequate storage(my garage) and our pickup truck which can only move two units at a time and then only if the weather permits. Any week that it rains on Thursday or Friday puts us a week behind.
  4. The need for a larger truck becomes more obvious as time goes by. We need it for safety reasons, storage, testing, reduced handling of units,  reduced number of drop offs at the shipping facility, and the ability to schedule pickups and deliveries without concern about weather.

 

  1. June 1, we will visit with Pastor Freeman in West Virginia. We will explore the possibility of a working relationship that will aid both of our projects and provide opportunity for Christians to participate in mission trips closer to home than the hurricane relief area or South America. Two churches in Carroll County have already expressed an interest in making a mission trip and one has expressed an interest in supporting such efforts financially.
  2. I’m back from Gary, West Virginia. In the 1920’s and 30’s, Gary was the largest coal mine in the world. We met some wonderful people and gained some insight into the problems and causes of such depressed poverty. We also built some bridges with other organizations in the area.
    1. The School of Life is run by a couple named Jack and Brenda Fultz. They own the local high school building and are converting it to house volunteers. Summer 2006, they housed about 600 volunteers who rehabbed 30 homes and provided VBS for 83 children. VBS ran for the entire summer. This year they expect to only run it for two weeks. Housing at the school costs $10 a day per bed. Missionaries are responsible for their own meals, but kitchen facilities are available for no charge and there are ladies who live nearby who can be contracted to cook.
    2. I have been in contact with another mission which is located close by in that area but did not have the opportunity to visit with them. They, also, have a program to house mission volunteers. They provide housing and meals, work direction and materials at a cost of $240 a week.
  3. Mission opportunities abound – McDowell County, West Virginia is just under 400 miles from Carroll County. The cost of spending a week there is within most people’s budget.
  4. Please pray for the needs of this ministry
    1. My recovery from surgical procedure June 7
    2. Wisdom in growing the project
    3. Wisdom in ‘telling the story’ of the Appalachians
    4. Proper equipment to do the job we’re doing
    5. Financial support to continue the work. This becomes critical when Marie retires. At that time, it will not be possible for us to continue to fund the operation out of pocket. Our expenses exceed our income so that it is possible that we may not be able to fund the project until her retirement.
    6. A larger truck w/liftgate

 

 

I pray that this letter finds everyone well and serving God’s kingdom.

 

Les Schaub

The Appalachian Poverty Project
A Component of the Community Foundation of Carroll County
”Providing Appliances to the Needy “
Learn how you can help - <http://www.app-pov-proj.org/>

 

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‘Blessed is he that considereth the poor; the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble.” Psa41-1