We are working in Wheelwright, Kentucky, located in the eastern part of the state in Floyd County. Kentucky is part of the Cumberland Plateau of the Appalachian Mountain Range. It has a rich cultural heritage beginning with the mound-building Adena Indians, through the civil war, to the coal camps that sprang up and faded as fast as the coal could be mined. The region is now a center for art and music through the Mountain Arts Center.
This area has many aspects of beauty from its lush wooded mountains to its colorful inhabitants that call this their home. With all of the beauty of the mountainous landscape there are many challenges that the communities and families face on a daily basis. The median income for a household in this area is $14,808 annually. The needs can range from leaking roofs, homes needing insulation, and families struggling to provide the basic necessities, as about 40 percent of the population lives below the poverty line.
WHAT WE'RE DOING
MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES
Teams will work alongside the community; improving living conditions and opening doors to share Jesus. The majority of the mission week will be spent on home renovation projects. Most of the homes we encounter are in disrepair and will benefit from the work of loving hearts and hands. Projects can include installation of vinyl siding, windows and doors, roofing, constructing a wheel chair ramp, giving an elderly person easy access to their home, building a deck, painting and general clean up around the property.
You will learn about the Appalachian culture with its strong emphasis on family values. By participating in out- reach events such as Kids’ Club (VBS), Mega Sports Camp, and neighborhood cookouts, you’ll build relationships as you interact with the people in the community.
TRIPS TO THIS COMMUNITY
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LOGISTICS
FOOD, LODGING, & TRAVEL
Participants are expected to provide transportation to and from the mission site, as well as travel between the housing site, work projects, outreach activities, and the day-off event.
Teams will stay at the Mission Big Creek Center, which is set up with separate bunk rooms for women and men. Showers and restroom facilities are available. Depending on the size of the team, we could lodge at the local high school, where teams will stay in classrooms and be asked to provide air mattresses for sleeping. The high school has adequate shower and restroom facilities for larger teams. Meals are prepared by local cooks.
On the day off, teams have several options available, both free and fee-based activities, which include the local pool, whitewater rafting, canoeing or time spent at a state park.
IS IT SAFE?
TRIP SAFETY PROTOCOLS
Trip safety is extremely important to World Servants and our host community. The community we are working and staying in is considered very safe and we do not anticipate any safety issues.
COVID-19 Safety Response
We are working diligently to address the directives of the communities we serve in regard to the coronavirus (COVID-19). Be assured, World Servants will not hesitate to cancel or suspend a trip if appropriate.
While World Servants does not require participants to be vaccinated, some countries in which we serve may require proof of vaccination and/or a negative COVID test in order to gain entry into the country. World Servants will work with you and your team to make sure you are aware of any travel requirements prior to trip onset.