The past week we have been in Black Mountain, North Carolina. We were working with a missional community called United, as well as a school called created institute. United allows former students from the created institute as well as former world racers to live in their houses. There are a couple of things they have to follow. They have to leave Tuesday and Thursday night open for all team and they have to volunteer there time to do work for the community.
United does a variety of things for the community. Members of the community will message the leaders to see if they can help them out with a project. We did a variety of things while we stayed with them. On the first day a group of us went into Asheville and did evangelism. I met a lady who has been cancer free for a couple of months. She had such an amazing spirit and greatly appreciated what our goal for the trip was. She asked us to pray that she will stay cancer free. She helped raise my spirits after a rough day of traveling.
On Tuesday and Wednesday a group of us headed out into the woods on a neighbor’s property. We literally blazed a trail for her in the woods. After years of nobody upkeeping the trails there was loose wood everywhere. We were able to clean and make clear paths in the woods for her. The owner of the property plans on turning it into a laser tag arena as well as a place for people to play capture the flag. I am honestly thinking about going back when it’s done so I can play in the woods. I found hiding places and know the woods like the back of my hand.
On Friday we headed to the Black Mountain home for children, youth and families. They have a place for foster families to stay as well as a place for kids who aged out of the foster system to stay. Their goal is to help them learn the skills they need to live on their own. We helped in the thrift store that helps keep the home running. A couple of days before we arrived they had gotten a huge donation from a local Hilton that was getting rid of their furniture. They had us load the furniture into a truck and then drop it off at the homes that needed it.
On Tuesday and Thursday night we got to participate in United’s all team time. They gather together in one of the houses for worship as well as a teaching. Honestly I did not know if I was going to be able to handle living in a house with 15 other girls. Surprisingly I really enjoyed it. I got to know a couple of the girls really well. I plan on staying in contact with a couple of them. They all have such amazing stories on how they got connected with United. On Sunday night two of the guests even made us dinner. My experience there was amazing.
