Christian Appalachian Project - Volunteer Stories

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Volunteer Testimonials

First-hand accounts are the best way to truly understand the impact felt by CAP’s volunteers. To offer a better idea of what volunteering is all about, here are a few testimonials from former volunteers.

"I learned that service in its truest sense is not about only volunteering - but about devoting your life and all your work to Christ and putting all of your heart into all you do each day. This is a completely priceless experience and there are indescribable things to learn from it."
- Laura LeCompte, Housing

"Life in the mountains of Appalachia is real and diverse to me. I've learned how to (poorly) contra Dance and how to truly appreciate beans and cornbread. I've gotten to see beyond the stereotypes, both judgmental and sympathetic, and to learn about this place and these people for what it and they really are. This is what I want to take home and share."
- Julia da Silva, Adult Education

"If you like mountains, nature's beauty, walking through a mountain path, looking through a window to view a lake with all its beauty, hearing the laughter of happy children, watching them paddle a canoe in the lake, swimming and just sitting down to eat and listen to the different conversations of the children, you would like being a camp nurse. Laughter is like a does of medicine."
- Jack, Summer Camp medical personnel

"The gifts of volunteering are numerous. New challenges, experiencing different cultures, making friends with people of differing backgrounds, warm experiences, and the gift of new growth and maturity."
- Phyllis, WorkFest cook

“When I tell people that I am a volunteer with CAP, they often say, "Oh, that’s great –giving up a year of your life like that.” My first inclination is to sweetly say that I haven’t gone into a yearlong coma for the betterment of mankind. I haven’t given up much of anything by being with CAP. I’m almost ashamed of all the praise I get for volunteering. I’m not saying it’s all been a bed of roses. Community life can be difficult at times. But the good days outnumber the bad ones. I’ve learned so much here about God, about myself and about other people.”
- Lisa, A volunteer at CAP’s Child Development Center

"I knew without a doubt I would be back. It turned out to be like a retreat I needed for a long time. Every day, morning and evening, devotions were prepared by the students from their respective schools. They were all beautiful and inspirational."
- Dick, Assistant crew leader at WorkFest

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