April 6, 2018 at 1:53 p.m.
PERSPECTIVE
Vacation in coal country
We are always worried about every little thing: Do these jeans fit right? Does this sweater match my skin tone? What are Kim Kardashian and Kanye West up to? What's happening on Twitter? Is this homework done right?
We ask ourselves these types of questions all the time. In fact, as I sat down to write this, the words were not flowing, and I started stressing out. So, I took a step back and looked around. I realized that my problems did not matter as much as some other peoples' problems.
Some people have much more to worry about -- like where their next meal is going to come from, where they can find shelter for the night and how they will stay warm.
Eastern Kentucky, the heart of Appalachia, is one of the worst areas in the nation. It fares worse than Camden, N.J., Detroit or the deserts around Las Vegas. It's where I spent my week-long winter break.
The New York Times ran an article last June titled, "What's the Matter with Eastern Kentucky," that compiled six basic metrics to give a picture of the quality and longevity of life in each county of the nation: education attainment, household income, jobless rate, disability rate, life expectancy and obesity rate. Six counties in eastern Kentucky's coal country ranked among the bottom 10.
Clay County ranked the lowest. "The median household income there is barely above the poverty line at $22,296, and is just over half the nationwide median. Only 7.4 percent of the population has a bachelor's degree of higher. The unemployment rate is 12.7 percent. The disability rate is nearly as high at 11.7 percent. Life expectancy is six years shorter than average. Perhaps related, nearly half of Clay County is obese," the Times noted.
Clay County is where I went on a mission trip, giving back and earning a new understanding of life. I was stuck in a jam about writing this and it hit me: "People in Clay County are freezing to death right now and I am worried about an article? I am sure one lucky kid."
My parents have always told me that, but I just blew it off because I still did not have the newest technology or the coolest shoes. But I do have a lot more than those kids in Appalachia.
In the central part of Clay County is a place called Red Bird Mission. In 1921, the Rev. J. J. DeWall founded this mission, which assists people with education, health, outreach, economic opportunities and housing.
I think the ministry that makes the biggest impact on the community comes free to the people: the volunteers at the Work Camp.
The Work Camp is a place for people to volunteer a week in Appalachia and improve someone's life. Red Bird Mission offers cabins, meals and four days' worth of work under the supervision of a project manager.
Volunteers go out to a project site and work all day, whether it be roofing a house, adding a porch or painting. It all helps reduce poverty.
For my week at Red Bird, all I did was paint - not the most exciting job, but all jobs are important. My group was the second work camp crew of the year, so it was our job to get the camp ready for the work season. We redid a volunteer cabin that had not been attended to in several years; renovated bathrooms to be handicapped-accessible; and painted bathrooms, kitchens and a room where the work crews eat.
These projects indirectly helped people in Clay County. The need in this area is still great. I am thankful for the opportunity I had to serve others and the life perspective it provided. The next time I feel troubled because I do not have the most lavish sneakers, I will stop and think: "Are my wants greater than the needs of others?" It will remind me how great I really have it.
(For more information, see rbmission.org.)[[In-content Ad]]
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