Bluefield Trip in Review

Eight people left Roanoke on Sunday, June 25th to visit The Wade Center, a new ministry partner, in Bluefield, WV. The center is housed in a former school building and provides a day program in the summer, and afterschool care throughout the year to children in K-5th grade (or just completed). During the summer, children eat breakfast and lunch as part of the program, and receive weekend bags to take home, and during the school year they receive homework help, free time, and dinner before heading home.

Our team went with only a bit of knowledge about what we'd be seeing and doing, and I don't think it is out of line to say that each member was in awe of everything the center does each day, their community partnerships, and the amount of *thriving* taking place among the children. The staff and volunteers welcomed our team with open arms, as did the kids, and when we went across the street to work with Bishop Tucker, we were greeted by one of the most persistent, diligent, and Godly men we've ever met.

In the mornings the team led Vacation Bible School at the Wade Center and then spent the afternoons working with Bishop Tucker as he renovates part of a church building to become a community center for middle school students, sort of an extension of the ministry provided by the Wade Center. As we worked, we had a chance to get to know Bishop Tucker and his story, and it is POWERFUL. I encourage anyone interested to find a team member and ask about him - including the bratwurst and keilbasa he provided for the team's dinner on Thursday!

We are thankful for our experiences at the Wade Center and the arms and hearts that welcomed us, and we came back changed and eager to partner with them more. At just about two hours away, this is a really accessible kind of trip - though the stairs make the actual center itself less accessible - and we are already planning a weekend trip in August to complete a project that has been left undone for YEARS only because they are doing so much other work, and spending their energies elsewhere. Keep an eye out if you are willing to to help build a playset and have some time to travel over a weekend - and don't mind some stairs.

Hear from some of our team members in their own words:

"I feel fortunate that I was able to be a part of the mission of the Wade Center. Having the opportunity to interact with the kids and the people on the trip from Grandin Court, who I normally wouldn’t interact with as much, made for an enjoyable experience and a great learning opportunity." - Nathan Brewer

"Within 10 minutes on the first day, I knew that The Wade Center was a place that God  blessed and where we were supposed to be. The director, Ms. Betty, and her staff greeted the children with warmth and love.  One of the staff prayed with a little girl who was obviously upset about something when she arrived.  It was a week of happy work at The Wade Center and painting for Bishop Anthony Tucker at the Calvary United Holy Church.  Justin Brill asked during our nightly briefing, "What am I supposed to take away from this week?"  I realized that it was passion.  These people have a passion that supercedes everything and drives their mission every day.  Their passion derives from that inner faith that God will provide and guide them no matter what.  Their faith is unshakable." - Susan Powell