Giving
Students, staff travel spend spring break serving others
Muskingum University students and two staff members participated in an alternative spring break mission trip to Oak Hill, West Virginia, March 8 to 11. Muskingum Chaplain Intern Kara Kimes planned the trip to Oak Hill after the devastating floods that impacted the area. The mission trip’s goal was to help demolish the interior of an old, dilapidated house that plans to be rebuilt and remodeled into a home for visiting missionaries and humanitarian relief aids.
Senior Sarah Gotschall did not know how to spend her final spring break and was grateful for the opportunity to attend the mission trip.
“I was looking for a meaningful way to spend my last spring break and God put this option before me,” said Gotschall. “I will forever cherish the laughter and the community we shared with an incredible family.”
The Muskingum students, Kimes and University Chaplain Will Mullins was hosted by Oak Hill United Methodist Church during the trip and worked with the church’s Housing Repair Ministry. In addition, half of the students participated in packing weekend snack bags for students attending local area schools.
The group attended a community dinner and worship service with people from Oak Hill and the surrounding areas. Members of the group also joined the family they were helping on a hike to view the New River Gorge. Junior Muskingum student Patrick Mullen felt the trip had a profound impact.
“The mission trip and its events changed my heart quite a bit,” said Mullen, “and I want to continue during ministry work like this for the rest of my life.”
Chaplin Mullins exclaimed that while the group participated in 32 total hours of service to Oak Hill and seven hours of spiritual reflection and praise, there were innumerable hours of laughter and memories shared by everyone on the trip.
For more information about Muskingum’s Religious Life Programming, visit the website or contact the department at (740) 826-8125.
