Tuesday June 22, 2010

"Charity begins at home and justice begins next door."   Charles Dickens

Today was another hot, sweltering day in southern West Virginia. As always, volunteers were troopers and battled through the heat.  (Dairy Queen at the end of the day doesn't hurt either.)

We had three sites going on today.  A large group of volunteers headed back to the flood damaged trailor that they were working on yesterday.  More framing for the underpinning was completed, drywall and mudding was done and many other much needed odds and ends.

Soccer camp continued today.  The heat out on the field was almost unbearable, but the kids and the volunteers continued to play and learn the "beautiful game."

The last group of volunteers headed out to St. Vincent DePaul to help organize the warehouse and unload a truck of housewares that were then moved to the Itmann Food Bank.

We are all looking forward to a yummy dinner of "Nancy's Chicken Casserole", a meal that has become an annual PV tradition.

Monday, June 21, 2010

"Look at everything as though you were seeing it either for the first or last time. Then your time on earth will be filled with glory."   Betty Smith

Happy West Virginia Day!

The first work day of the 2010 PV Program was a sweltering one, with temperatures in the 90's.  Today also marked the first day of the Mullens Soccer Camp.  In it's seventh summer, the soccer camp is a well established part of the summer for the folks in Mullens.  Not only were new soccers skills learned, but a time was spent in a sprinkler to cool down.

We also sent a large crew up to Hanover to work on a trailer that was damaged in the severe flooding last weekend.  The trailor was brought in last winter after the orignal trailor was washed away duing the May 2009 flood.  Both the Northern Illinois University Spring Break trip and the TGIA break trip worked on the house this spring.  Although some their work was damaged, the summer PVs stepped right in to fix and continue the work.  This site will be going on for a large part of the summer, as well as addition flood relief work.

We also sent a small crew over to our year round headquarters in Pineville to do much needed yard work and a straightening up around the house.  This site is not the most glamorous site, but is very important to us.

For dinner tonight we enjoyed a feast of spaghetti and meatballs, salad and homemade oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Yummy, yummy!

For the first reflection we asked to reflect on embracing the unknown, and the gifts that that brings to use.  After a wonderful sharing of the "new and the good," volunteers chose their sites for the next day and then relaxed as the evening drew to a close.

2010 PV Summer Program Has Begun!

This weekend marks the kick off of another PV Summer in West Virginia.  As usual, the first weekend has been a little busy.  Volunteers started arriving on Saturday, and today we did a series of get to know you community activities.  After a yummy dinner cook out, we gathered everyone to go over a few reminders and then had our traditional commissioning prayer service and jobsites for Monday.

It is our plan to post daily to this blog so the experience can be shared far and wide.  Please keep everyone in your thoughts and prayers.

2010 Live With Passion a Success!

Groups of PV's, friends, family and supporters showed up to events around the country this weekend.  By the sound of things, everyone had a wonderful time.  Check out the LWP Blog for pictures, and reports back from the sites. pvlivewithpassion.blogspot.com

WV Miners Tribute

We just received an email from Charlotte in West Virginia.  She shared a bit, about how much the mining disaster at the Upper Big Branch Mine has effected her community.  She lost several good friends, her neighbor and two young men who graduated from Wyoming East High School.  Charlotte also shared with us a very powerful tribute video posted on YouTube.  Please continue to keep the people in southern West Virginia in your thoughts and prayers during the very difficult time.

2010 Live With Passion only 5 Days Away!

Check out the Live with Passion Blog for all the news on this year's event:  pvlivewithpassion.blogspot.com

Any and all participation, support and prayers are welcome!

West Virginia Mine Tragedy

We are sure that by now, you have all heard about the The Upper Big Branch mine explosion.  This mine is just north of Wyoming County, not far from the town of Bolt.  As you know, the communities in this part of West Virginia are very tight knit and this will undoubtedly affect many people.  Please keep the miners, their friends and families in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.