REACH is an Outreach activity that provides service-learning opportunities for Middle School and Sr. High School youth. REACH encourages young people to adopt a lifestyle of service. In order to fully convey what REACH can provide to its participants, Hannah Waller agreed to share her experience this last year.

“Hannah, honey, this will be a great experience for you.” Even with my mom’s words, my heart still doubted the idea of this “project” she signed me up for. I wasn’t really close with anyone in my youth group so I had that sinking feeling that I would only be tagging along with everyone for a week of tiring community service. It was my first year of REACH, and in July 2008, the high school and middle school youth departed for Oceana, West Virginia. It was a long drive up winding roads and into the mountains of the small town of Oceana, and as we were driving past neighborhoods and churches, I felt a little bit of guilt for what I had once rolled my eyes at. It seemed the whole town could stand for any type of repair, a shocking contrast to where I live.

I was assigned to a crew consisting of people from all over the United States, all different ages. On our first day at work, we mostly scraped away old paint from the tiny home that we were chosen to repair. Throughout the day I got to know my crew members better and we all told stories about our life back home. Surprisingly after only a day, we were all becoming a big family bound together by our faith and desire to help our neighbor, the homeowner. That night at youth group reflections, I admitted to everyone that I was starting seeing why REACH got such amazing feedback from past campers.

Throughout the rest of the week, my relationships with everyone got stronger and stronger. Whether it be my youth group friends, my crew members, and most importantly God, I felt a sense of closeness to literally everyone. On Thursday night, a.k.a. “cry night”, I experienced the Lord in no other way I have felt in my life. The feeling of true worship felt so real and it was a turning point in my heart that has impacted each and every day since then. On the last day of REACH, my crew sat down and talked about our amazing transformation as followers, leaders, brothers, and sisters. Just looking up at the house we made beautiful in only a matter of days, we realized that the strongest beauty we accomplished that week came from inside ourselves. We worked so hard to make a difference in our neighbor’s life, and even though getting up at 6:30 am every morning took a toll on everyone, it was all 100% worth it when we saw our neighbor burst into tears at the sight of all the work we had done.

The morning of departure from Oceana was a bittersweet moment. Packing away our suitcases into the truck, having our very last picture taken of all the REACH work campers, and saying goodbye to all of the people we had met brought tears, laughter, and proof of how one week changed everyone’s lives. I still keep in touch with my crew to this day, and since REACH, I have become a new person. Thankful for what I have, closer to God and my church, and more confident in myself and my abilities.

Please pray for the youth and adults going to Annville, PA on June 21st through June 27th. Because REACH Workcamps determines which houses will need to be repaired, and what work needs to be done, the team itself will not know what specifically they will be working on until they get there, and REACH will not know until the week beforehand. The REACH team will leave on June 21st after church, time is to be determined.

There are two remaining fundraising events where you can support REACH’s activities. May 30th will be a Yard Sale on St. David’s grounds. They are looking for gently used children’s items, clothing, books, games, toys, CDs, DVDs, etc. Drop off items at the Narthex May 28th, 9 am - 4 pm or May 29th, 9 am - 9 pm. Contact This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with questions. Additionally, on June 6th, REACH will be hosting a Bake Sale in front of the Giant in Ashburn Village from 9 am – 12 noon. For more information on participating in REACH as an adolescent or adult, please see www.sdlife.org/Ministry-Partners/REACH or contact ministry leader This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .