Kentucky November 2011 | Day 4

Today our group split into two groups, Julieth, Vlad and Holly went to visit families and Josh, Cathy and Jacki went to an elderly group center. The first of the two families visited by group one was one of the poorest they had ever seen. As they distributed mattresses and food they discovered that both of the family’s two boys were mentally challenged and illiterate. However, even in their poverty the family still had the joy of the Lord. They Holy Spirit fell as they we visited there. In the other family that they went to see there was a man who had lost both his legs to an illness. Julieth shared her testimony with his wife and she was moved by it inviting them to come back again.

Group two went to an elder care center to visit the elderly of the community. We visited for a while and did some puzzles. Josh took out his guitar and played a couple songs for them, but the ladies there soon took over our little worship service. There was a lady who could really get down on the guitar and she had us all singing along in no time. It was a sweet time of fellowship with the beautiful and vibrant grandmas of the mountains.

 This evening we had the children’s program again. It was amazing! We performed a skit about grace and Vlad shared a short word with the kids. Julieth gave and altar call and I could tell that the kids listened and soaked every word into their hearts. The presence of God met us in that place. We played and loved on the kids and simply shared the love of God with them. Today was a sweet day. God bless.

 - Jacki Berggren

Kentucky November 2011 | Day 3

Today we painted a kitchen for a lady named Miss Nancy. It was such a blessing working for her! We put on our white painting suits and painted most of the day. There was a very welcome interruption when we found out that one of the families up the road had lost a chicken. Josh and Julieth had a blast chasing it around with the kids for about an hour. We were very blessed by that family this week and adopted their oldest daughter as one of our own.

Our day came to a close with a bonfire together with staff members from GAP. It was a really beautiful fall night, perfect for a time of bonding and a bonfire. Josh sang a couple songs and the Spirit fell around us. It was the perfect ending for a perfect day.

 - Jacki Berggren

Kentucky November 2011 | Day 2

Today was a blessed day! We started it off with a good breakfast made by Josh and Holly. Yummy! We spent the morning and afternoon at the GAP distribution center which was founded by Lynn and Angie Wagner who moved up here years ago from Florida after hearing the call of the Lord for these mountains. Gap is a food bank that meets many practical and spiritual needs of the community.

We worked in their little coffee room where people go to rest and which also serves as a little room set aside to minister to people one on one. We sat, talked and prayed with the people and even had our hearts touched. One of the activities we did was to paint the finger nails of some little girls. It was a blessing to see their faces light up after they saw the finished product. It is amazing to see the power of God in the small things we do for His glory!

Another purpose of this trip is to gain a vision for these people. We have found that many of the people are illiterate and some even have a hard time counting. The kids are very smart but they don’t have the opportunity or motivation to reach their full potential. They lack the resources for a good education. These are just a few practical needs that we have seen. We spent the evening at a government housing apartment complex doing a children’s program. It was simple and fun. Holly Cooper spent the summer of 2010 here with these kids and has become a resident celebrity with them. We had a good turnout and a lot of fun.

 - Jacki Berggren

Kentucky November 2011 | Day 1

This trip has been in the making before many of the parties involved even knew the Appalachian Mountains even existed.God birthed this trip 6 years ago in the heart of a young 15 year old girl with a burden for the mountain people of Kentucky. The purpose of this trip is to reach out to these people and be a cup of cold water to our brothers and sisters working here.

We left for McDowell, Kentucky Saturday night around 9:00pm. We drove through the night and arrived around 9:30am. After freshening up we went to a local church for a Sunday morning service. We had a nice country dinner and a much needed rest. We made connected with the church and went bowling with them. And that was our first day in Appalachia!

– Jacki Berggren