The Orthodox Youth Mission Team left this morning, July 7th from Holy Trinity in Danbury, CT to participate in the Appalachian Service Project (ASP) in Trade, TN. This marks OYMT’s 8th year of doing youth mission work. For the first time, OYMT will have its own pan Orthodox center in Appalachia and the program has expanded to include youth and adult leaders from Georgia, Maryland, Alabama and New Jersey/New York. 59 youth and adult leaders in all will come together to serve our Lord by working with families in Appalachia to help make their” homes warmer, safer and drier.” OYMT is led by the Very Rev. Fr. Luke Mihaly from Holy Trinity in Danbury. The team asks for prayers from the Diocese for a fruitful week. Follow them on OYMT#1 on facebook.

Things couldn’t be better! We are in one of the best facilities that has ever been our Center. Bible camp was a huge success. We have a day to regroup tomorrow before the teen conference begins on Friday. The people are warm and inviting. We had lunch and dinner in private homes and everyone has been open to trying the local cuisine. Tonight’s delicacy was braised moose! Transportation can be challenging but we hope materials arrive tomorrow so we can continue work on the church in Oscarville. Because we are in a school, the wifi blocks Facebook during the day so we can only post and see comments after 5pm. Here is the post I put on my own Facebook page today:

Love these kids! Americawear Wednesday was today’s camp theme, and work continued on the church in Oscarville.