Project Compassion 2007

As some people know, I have been volunteering with the high school youth programme at my church here in Bonn for the past 2 years. Last week I has the opportunity to accompany 22 of these students along with the two youth ministers Erin and Joel and another volunteer Simon, to Pitisti in Romania. Here we met up with another 150 students from all over Europe to lend our time and energy to support Habitat for Humanity (www.habitat.org).

Over five days we all worked to rennovate former army barraks and turn them into apartments for 11 families. We were plastering, digging foundation holes, cementing, buliding storage sheds and laying sewerage pipes. We were very fortunate that we had wonderful weather and the worst complaint from the students was sunburn. But I have to say at the end of the day, I for one was exhausted!

The project also included a full programme of activities including entertainment from a group called Issac Improv (www.issacimprov.com) who had us all howling with laughter. During the evenings we heard from a local youth pastor from Bonn, John Perrin, who spoke to the students about the giving nature of Christ and the relationship that was available to them. He was a wonderful speaker and his words really encouraged some amazing discussions in the 'cabin time' that we shared with the girls.

The trip was also a challenge for me, not just because of the physical labour, but also as my first time leading a group. All my students were so encouraging and I really enjoyed the opportunity to get to know them better and really see so many of them grow and developing in their own skin and their walk with God.

Once this project is completed, the families are provided with low cost housing that they could otherwise not afford. One of the wonderful things about Habitat is that the people they support are working side by side on the work site. On the final night we had the chance to share a meal with some of the familes and the gratitude on their faces made all the aching muscles worthwhile!