By Kyle Fitzsimmons
Review Staff Intern
Most hard-working individuals look forward to vacation time as a much needed escape from the 9-to-5 grind of the work week.
For volunteers from the Lake Orion Church of Christ however, vacation days are spent picking up a tool belt and helping community members in need.
From July 27 through Aug. 2, about 15 to 17 families took off work and all other activities to eat, sleep and live together at the congregation. Those who volunteered went out in the community and did everything from landscaping to roofing and other construction, for those unable to do it themselves.
‘We have teams of guys doing roofs, teams of teenagers doing landscaping; it really is a full-blown construction project,? said John Swantek, church member and volunteer. ‘It all comes down to God wanting us to help people who can’t help themselves.?
This is the third year that the Lake Orion Church of Christ has put on ‘Mission Possible,? which boasts involvement of some kind from more than 70-percent of its members.
Whether it’s helping clean, prepare food, or provide moral support to those working on the houses, Swantek said the majority of congregation members help in some way during the week.
‘Our thought was a lot of people go away on mission trips, but why can’t we go away to our own community and help the people in the community that need it very bad?? Swantek said.
Those who need the help Mission Possible provides usually are the disabled and the elderly.
Beth and Richard Webster of Lake Orion were in need of various improvements on their home and Mission Possible was there to help them.
‘These guys give up a week of their vacation every year and they come and do these projects for senior citizens, people who are disabled and people who simply don’t have the money to do it themselves,? Beth said.
The Websters are not members of the Lake Orion Church of Christ, yet are still reaping its charity as a result of word-of-mouth.
‘When we say people in the community, we’re not just trying to help people in our church,? Swantek said. ‘It doesn’t matter who it is. God expects us as Christians to serve others and care for those in need. It’s not just giving money, but time and the talent that He’s blessed us with.?
Swantek added Mission Possible has blossomed over the past three years through some minor advertising, word-of-mouth and correspondence with other area churches.
Although Mission Possible continues to grow each year, it still faces the challenge of providing free-of-charge help while offsetting the fees that come with providing food for the week, as well as building supplies.
‘Some of the people we help want to pay for the materials, but others can’t afford a thing so we cover it,? Swantek said. ‘There’s no set rule. You do what you can.?
The Websters were surprised when the crew discovered carpenter ants in the siding on the back of their house.
‘They’re not charging us anything, including the exterminator, but I will find a way to give back,? Beth said. ‘That’s what God teaches us; you don’t just get a blessing and not give back.?
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To see more photos from Mission Possible, click on the “blue button” on the right side of this page.