Service: Learning and Giving

Its just the simple reality that there are not many youth in West Virginia. Sure we have grade schools, high schools and universities, but once people finish their education they tend to move out of West Virginia and not come back. That leaves us with a dominantly older population, as well as a much underutilized state.

Its also the reality that Appalachia is a region rich in resources as well as wide-open space and opportunity to pursue personal dreams and to use our gifts creatively and effectively. In an effort to encourage youth to stay (or come back) to West Virginia, organizations have been set up to help youth follow their dreams and to use their gifts and talents while also building the economy and job field in West Virginia. Check out some of our resource links for some more information on those.

Whether we are in West Virginia or not, we are called to explore what our personal gifts are. What are the things that you do very well? What are the activities that are life giving for you? And on the flip side, what are the things that you are not as skilled to do? Maybe you love cleaning but hate cooking. Maybe you're really good at drawing but not very good at building things. We can always try and grow in both those things that we excel in and those we struggle in, but it also very important that we use those talents to the best of our ability, to help others and to extend this cornerstone of service. Obviously at the farm our most tangible form of service is our home repair, but in some way it is also a form of service that we build relationships with each other. It is in those relationships that we form, in that service, that we use our talents, we grow in our talents, and that we seek the talents of others to fulfill our projects and our dreams.

There are obviously regions of the United States, and the world, that need talented individuals to give of themselves more than other regions, but wherever you are ask yourself how you can use your gifts and talents more wisely. How can you serve you family, your friends, your neighbors and your greater community? It may not be as difficult or as tangible as you think, but it definitely entails you to learn about yourself and then give of yourself. Pray about it, reflect about it, and act on it.