By Eric Stock
BLOOMINGTON – Some teens have been on a mission in Bloomington-Normal this week to provide some handiwork to those who need it.
More than a dozen teens from the Christian-based non profit Group Mission Trips spent the week fixing up more than dozen homes in Bloomington-Normal, including the Southgate Estates mobile home of Felicia Henry.
Henry said she appreciates the work, which included painting and adding a back deck and stairs, but she also appreciate the chance to bond with a generous group of volunteers.
“It’s like not even them working (that’s helpful), it’s bonding with them and meeting new people, that’s awesome too,” Henry said.
Tanner Jarrell said aside from the humidity he doesn’t have to deal with in Littleton Colorado, he’s found his stay to be a blast.
“It’s really a great experience to get to the opportunity to come out here and serve other people in the name of Jesus,” Jarrell said. “It’s an amazing experience.”
Noah Peters said it took a while to get adjusted coming here from Nebraska.
“I came to it harsh at first because it was a new experience not working with my own youth group, but then it really worked out because there are pretty awesome people,” Peters said.
More than 100 teens from all across the country came to town in a partnership with St. John’s Lutheran Church and the West Bloomington Revitalization Project.
The cost of materials was covered by State Farm Bank, St. John’s JoyZone and Vacation Bible School offerings, Town of Normal, City of Bloomington, First Financial Bank, Illinois Farm Bureau and Resurrection Lutheran Church.
When asked if the volunteer help has changed Henry’s perspective in any way, her mother Tina Brown prompted her by pointing to the skies.
“It’s God,” Henry declared.
Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.
