Cincinnati youths help needy in Kentucky

Cincinnati youths
help needy in Kentucky

By Ron Hickman

CINCINNATI, Ohio—Teens, youth leaders and others from the Cincinnati East and Central churches traveled to Corbin, Kentucky, as missionaries of Jesus Christ to serve needy people in the Corbin area.

The 15-person mission team, consisting of nine teens, two children and five adult youth leaders, painted the exterior of a mobile home and a house, and also the interior of another house, July 29 through Aug. 4.

The mission trip was conducted in conjunction with Helping Hand, Inc., a nonprofit service organization led by Verna Wilson, who lives near Corbin. Verna, who became a widow a year ago, has committed much of her life to serving the needy in the Corbin area. She and her husband started Helping Hand not long after they moved to Corbin from Cincinnati. They were concerned about the needs of the poor in the area, especially the children and elderly.

Two of the people served by the mission team were Mrs. Reeves and Mrs. Parks. Mrs. Reeves lived in a mobile home next to an old house. She is a widow and the mother of five children. They moved into the mobile home when their house became uninhabitable because she was unable to afford repairs. The mission team painted her mobile home and weatherproofed the roof.

Mrs. Parks’ home is a small house just outside of Corbin. The mission team painted the house during two days of 95 degree heat.

During the mission trip, the mission team stayed at the youth center of the Corbin Central Baptist Church. In the evenings they had time for bowling, swimming at the pool at Cumberland Falls park, praising and worshiping God with the Central Baptist youth group, and a cookout with the Central Baptist teens.

Financial support for the mission team was provided by the donations of family, friends and church members. Teens were encouraged to write letters to family and friends explaining the nature of the mission trip and requesting such financial support as each person could afford. In addition, a donation box was set up at church services.

According to Becky Hickman, one of the adult youth leaders, "Our group focused on the needs of others and forgot about ourselves, and we bonded together in serving others."

Patty Orse, one of the teen members, said: "I really love these people. Working together, I got to know everyone so much better and appreciate them for who they are."

MISSIONTRIP—Mission team from left: Jenny Harrison, Ron Hickman, Erin Hart, Abby Butz, Patty Orse, Lindsay Newman, Kimberly Hickman, Lynsey Pope, Jason Hickman, Stephanie Hickman, David Hickman, Becky Hickman, Eric Hickman, Wane Creager, Julie Creager and Brittany Creager. [Photo by Russ Creager]

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