A Time to Serve

BY SARABETH BROWNROBIE

Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) volunteers and AmeriCorps members are building ramps and repairing houses every day through their generous gifts of time and talent. Augie and his wife Greta are two of those volunteers/ members who have chosen to spend months, post-graduation, serving elderly participants in Appalachia.

“We both grew up with families that described the incredible way the people of Appalachia meet great poverty and hardship with cheerfulness, toughness, and faith,” explained Augie, who visited his sister Amanda in 2003 when she was serving as a volunteer in CAP’s Child and Family Development Center in Mount Vernon, Kentucky.

“I remember playing “duck-duck-goose” at the center with the kids and getting a new Scooby-Doo book that I loved,” he recalled with a laugh.

Like so many others, Greta also had a powerful CAP connection. Her parents volunteered in Martin, Kentucky (1993-1994). Greta’s mom served in the Adult Education Program – CAP’s “little red school bus.” Her dad provided leadership to Home Repair volunteers, gave rides to seniors through Elderly Services, and delivered seeds for CAP’s Gardens and Seeds Program.

When choosing a short-term service position, Augie and Greta were looking for meaningful service in the Appalachian region. “A dedication to service has always been an integral part of our relationship,” he said. “It was natural for us to want to begin our married life together on the foundation of a year of intentional service.”

He believes that serving together has strengthened his bond with his wife and with God. “I also believe that in service, we challenge each other to grow and learn more than anyone else could,” he expounded.

One participant story will stay with Augie when he reflects on his time as a volunteer/member. A senior in Salyersville needed a new set of steps and a short ramp to make her home accessible.

“She was over 80 years old,” he recalled. While serving on the site, they learned that the ramp was not for her, but for an adult son who had gone blind. “But she still welcomed in her son and was taking care of him. I believe that anyone who meets her would be able to see the joyful light within her, and her love and faith in God.”

While this period of transition between their undergraduate degrees and graduate school made it possible for the couple to serve, Augie and Greta had been planning for this opportunity for several years. “The suspension of student loan debt payments this year was a considerable help in enabling us to dedicate time to service; however, we felt strongly enough about wanting to spend this time in service, that we would have done whatever was necessary to make it work,” he added.

While they have left an indelible mark on the participants they served and the housemates with whom they lived, they are also bringing those experiences with them into the next phase of their journeys. Augie was particularly impacted by the time he spent with his housemate, Eddie. “I have been inspired by the witness he gives to the ways God has worked in his life, and deeply touched by his kindness, compassion, and hope,” he said.

Kindness, compassion, hope, and service. Most certainly these are the building blocks of community. Through their year of service Augie and Greta were able to make homes safe, warm, dry, and accessible for many elderly participants. That act of service is pretty incredible.

Dan and Rita, their son Augie, and his wife Greta, came together to serve on an Elderly Services worksite.