It was a cold, rainy, Sabbath afternoon in mid-November 2009, when Auburn Adventist Academy students helped with a sandbagging effort in Auburn, Wash., after city officials sent out a call for help.
"The kids were really excited," says Mary Kobberstad, AAA English teacher and supervising faculty member.
After several hours of hard work, the 19 student volunteers were able to sandbag around an apartment complex in peril of the imminent flood waters near the Green River.
Despite frosty temperatures and a lot of back-breaking work, students gained a blessing from giving to God in the service of others. "An elderly lady came out of her apartment to see what we were doing," says Rachel Coon of Sedro Woolley, Wash. "It was sweet to hear her appreciation and to meet someone who we had helped."
Though not a typical Sabbath activity, AAA was glad to be involved in the flood prevention program.
"I can't think of a better thing to do," says Marvin Mitchell, AAA principal, "than help people on a Sabbath afternoon."
