Valley Presbyterian Ramps Up for Mission

The following was written by Linda Wold, a member of Valley Community Presbyterian Church in Golden Valley, MN for the August issue of Valley Pres, the church newsletter.

Whew!!! What a whirlwind “adventure” the Ramp Up! Project has been: so many committed volunteers, wonderful clients, cooperative weather (mostly), talent galore, food in abundance, and heartfelt gratitude from all our clients.

The Ramp Up! Project all began in 2009 when the youth were traveling to Kalispell, MT to build ramps, and they put in a request for funds from the Mission Possible Team. The team granted their request and provided $1,500 from its budget, with the caveat that these youth would come back to Valley and teach this congregation how to build ramps, so we could do so in our own community. The youth followed through with their obligation and in early 2010, came to the Mission Possible Team fully prepared to honor their part of the bargain.

The rest is history and the 2010 Ramp Up! Project was off and running. It has been an intergenerational “pay it forward” experience of ministry for this congregation that all began with the Kalispell Mission Trip.

Each and every one of our clients were so impressed with the work that was done, the careful attention to detail, the kindness and proficiency by the youth and adults alike. I can’t tell you how many times I heard one client or another tell me “what wonderful young people you have working from your church.” I must admit, it was rather hard not to brag too much, but I did brag nonetheless, and agreed wholeheartedly!

Several of the clients shed tears of joy that we would build them a ramp so they could get out of their homes. They just were astounded at that prospect. When I told them we were happy to be able to lend them a helping hand, they ALL commented that “your church sure must be a wonderful one”. Of course, I agreed, and told them they’d be welcomed and to join us at any time. One woman even said, “if all of your church members are like the ones I’ve seen today, I might have to get back to church.” I gave her my phone number and told her to give me a call and I’d pick her up any Sunday.

This church did an amazing job, especially the youth who truly inspired us, to see and hear and feel what this project could do for the clients and ourselves! We got it!!! And we certainly felt the Holy Spirit leading, guiding, and moving us onward throughout the whole project. We all have our own “spirit points”, many of which have been shared amongst ourselves. We all have our connections with the clients. We all are more than glad that we took this leap of faith. We are all thankful for Bob Zimmerman and his expertise on this project and for Craig Pettigrew’s astounding engineering talents, and all the many, many volunteers who poured out their “sweat” for hours and hours with love and grace and to offer freedom to our clients!

We all are amazed and so very thankful for the leadership of Sarah Bigwood! She took on this project with all her heart and soul and was able to help each of us to “dig deep” into ourselves to work this project, even when we didn’t have a clue as to if we could handle the tasks. She led us and helped us to shine in the eyes of the clients and to open ourselves to the Holy Spirit. We all, this whole congregation, owes her a debt of gratitude, second to none! THANK YOU, ALL!!!!

Tags: mission

Category: Congregations, Presbytery News