ServiceTrip | First English Evangelical Lutheran Church

Service Trip 2022

Barrett, Elena, Jack, Adolf and Renata have traveled to Princeton, Illinois, from June 26-July 2, 2022, to serve God through serving their neighbors in love. They are participating in a week-long work camp with other youth and adults from around the country to care for people who are struggling to maintain their homes in the midst of economic distress and fixed incomes eaten up by inflation.

They are ambassadors of Christ and are the hands and feet of First English as they join with others in building wheelchair ramps, repairing porches, painting inside and out, and weatherizing homes. It is challenging and demanding work and, as well, is a labor of love that allows people to remain safely in their homes or provides freedom to leave with the repair of a porch or addition of a ramp.

Pray for Barrett, Elena, Jack, Adolf and Renata as they serve our neighbors in Princeton and serve our Lord.

God bless them and keep them safe.

Please enjoy our many photos below!

Pictures of the FEELC group, Crew 8 - Renata, Crew 9 - Elena, Crew 21 - Jack,

Crew 22 - Adolf, and Crew 31 - Barrett.

Work Camp Trip to Princeton, Illinois

Ready to hit the road!

Thank you, Pastor Sean, for seeing the group off and for the healthy snacks!

Arrived in Princeton; getting settled; making friends!

Princeton is taking really good care of us! Every day, the co-sponsors deliver snacks and Gatorade to our worksite. Today, they had ice cream cups waiting for us upon return to the school (where we are sleeping). This is a really special town! ❤️

Barrett enjoying his pancake breakfast!

Elena :)

Jack and Elena exploring Starved Rock State Park.

Lunch!

Renata and Elena

Taking a break at the store.

Smile!

Finally home!!!! Although they had a fantastic time, they were all happy to be home! 🙂

The amazing group participating in the Service Trip from June 26 - July 2 in Princeton, Illinois (goofy version).

The amazing group participating in the Service Trip from June 26 - July 2 in Princeton, Illinois.

Jack with Diane...Jack's crew worked hard to paint the inside of Diane's house and build her a deck and ramp off her back door. These two formed a special friendship during the week and have promised to keep in touch with one another.

Dave & Renata = Van packing engineers!

An afternoon off work means time to explore Starved Rock State Park.

The Bear in his natural cave habitat.

Renata wading in the "waterfall"!

Hi Jack!

Such a great afternoon with a fantastic group from First English!!!

Crew 8 - Renata

This is the house Renata and her crew are scraping and painting.

Go Renata! Working hard!

The side of the home they worked on...before.

Renata and her awesome crew, Crew 8! They worked so hard, but made sure to have a lot of fun!

And after it was painted. Looks great!

Renata is working hard!

Cleaning and scraping off the front porch.

Working hard as a team!

Crew 8! :)

Renata is ready for anything! 🙂

So funny!!!! Definitely many laughs were shared!

Perfect picture!

Back to work!

Crew 8 rocks!

Crew 9 - Elena

Elena is helping to finish the repairs and painting on the deck.

This crew worked so hard! After working on the deck at one home, they moved onto another house to help paint the exterior. The house looks amazing! Great job, Elena!!!

Elena and her new friend/crewmate are taking a photo break.

Crew 9 is awesome!

Elena and Crew 9 finished repairing and painting this deck. Great job!

Crew 21 - Jack

Crew #21 painted two rooms and a hallway inside today and started building a deck on the back of the house.

Crew 21 with Diane, the wonderful homeowner! She took every opportunity to let this crew know how grateful she was.

Jack worked hard and came home with many new carpentry abilities!

Good work, Jack!

Making great progress!

Jack working with a crew member to make the deck safe and look good!

Getting started on the ramp off the deck.

It's looking really good!

Have to take time out to have fun!

From this on Thursday, to...

this on Friday, the last day of work. Wow!!!

The boys really worked hard. Impressive!

It's important to take healthy snack breaks!

Helping to carry the wood for the deck/ramp to the backyard.

Unloading wood for the deck.

The deck floor is done! Looks so good!

Too funny! 🙂

❤ Awwww

The hard work Crew 21 put in earned them some goof off time!

Really relaxing now!

Tough guys...both named Jack!

Jack needs a nap. Found the perfect pillow and blanket...maybe?

God is working through the volunteers!

Helping to paint the interior of the home. Crew 21 painted the living room, kitchen, laundry room and hallway!

The adults in Crew 21 were great leaders and teachers!

Jack is learning how to build the deck.

Getting started with the deck frame.

Crews 22 and 23 - Adolf

Crews 22 and 23 are working to build a porch and large wheelchair ramp for the wonderful homeowner, Steve.

Adolf is working hard!

A few of the volunteers with the homeowner, Steve.

Adolf with two of his fellow volunteers.

The adults of Crews 22 and 23 did an amazing job of teaching and leading the youth...while working incredibly hard!

The home before any work gets started.

Planning on what work each volunteer will do for the day.

Getting off to a great start!!!

Even the homeowner, Steve, worked hard to help make the new ramp wonderful!

The crews are finishing up the final touches!

WOW! Great job crews 22 and 23!!!!

Go Adolf!

The crews all worked so well together!

Things are really coming along! It's looking so good!

Still working so hard!

Adolf teaching and guiding the youth volunteers.

Getting the frame in place.

This ramp is huge! Such a massive job for the volunteers!

Thank you for your hard work, Adolf!!!!!

Representing Detroit!

So impressive!

Steve is one happy and grateful homeowner.

The AWESOME volunteers of Crews 22 and 23!

It's amazing how many new skills the youth volunteers gained during this week of work. Great job to everyone!

Crew 31 - Barrett

Crew 31 working together!

Love this!

Barrett and Crew 31...This group had a huge job! Barrett spent all of Monday breaking up concrete with a sledgehammer!

Working hard to get a nice ramp built.

They have to take out time for fun, too! The boys are looking tough!

:)

Posing turned into a water gun fight!

She is so grateful for this group of hard-working volunteers!

They are making great progress! The homeowner is so happy for all they are doing!

Cute picture of Crew 31!

Being goofy and having a great time!

Some of the best pictures came from this fun crew!

Who will win???

Signing "grateful"...Amazing group of youth volunteers!

WOW! Look at what this group completed! The ramp looks so incredible!