She was sad, lonely and cold. But for Sherry Sullivan of Liberty, Ky., hope knocked on her front door with ambitious hands and open hearts. Armed with tools and energy, 34 Meadow Glade Church members joined with three other Adventist school groups during October 2006, bringing hope to people in the Appalachian region.
For the last 12 years, under the leadership of Donnie Keele of Georgia-Cumberland Academy and Alan Craig of Madison Academy, Meadow Glade youth have had the opportunity to spend a week at the Galilean Home and serve the people of this poverty-stricken region.
The Galilean Home is a nonprofit ministry for underprivileged children that opens its doors to mission teams each fall. In addition to participating with the children at the home, the mission group goes out into the community.
This year the theme “Got Hope?” was the driving force behind five successful projects, including Sherry Sullivan’s home.
Sixteen-year-old Gabrielle Smith was on the work team that arrived to find Sullivan’s house in a state of disrepair. She had heat in only one room and her bathroom had severe plumbing issues. During the next three days, her home was transformed with new paint and a completely remodeled bathroom.
“I worked on the roof,” says Smith, “putting sealant on it to help insulate the house. It was cold and windy and kind of scary. I was really nervous that I wouldn’t be able to handle some of the yucky stuff of this job, but when I saw how much hope we brought Sherry, I could deal with it.”
Jacob Davis, Columbia Adventist Academy senior, has participated in the Appalachian trip for the last three years. During his first trip he helped rebuild a house for a man with Alzheimer’s. “I really enjoyed helping the people and meeting the kids from the other schools.”
Fresh paint and many hands bring beauty and hope to Kentucky resident Sherry Sullivan.
The work team gets started on Sherry Sullivan's house. Gabrielle Smith is on the roof.
