A group of 27 youth and 11 adults from Cypress United MethodistChurch in Cypress, Texas, rolled into Brookhaven on June 12 toprepare for four days of painting, cleaning, building, andremodeling of homes and churches.

“It helps me grow in my faith and grow closer to God,” saidKevin Faught, member of Cypress United Methodist youth group.”Helping others helps you be less selfish,” he said.

The youth and adults worked at three different sites inconjunction with Kynett, Crump and Macedonia United MethodistChurches.

“Rev. Don Peters had used this group before on the Gulf Coastwhen he was there. He asked them to come here and they have beencoming for the past three summers,” said Josie Hightower, member ofKynett United Methodist church.

Along with working on a fellowship hall at Macedonia UnitedMethodist and doing various other construction jobs at the threechurches members’ homes, the youth tackled a much largerproject.

The one bedroom home of Thomas Humphrey was in much need of anexpansion. His son Thomas Manning Humphrey was sleeping on thecouch or in his father’s room because he did not have a room of hisown.

“I’ve been here two years and I’ve been saying when I get themoney I’m going to do this, but God sent them,” Humphrey said.

The 8th and 9th grade youth, adult supervisors and a carpenterworked to turn the existing porch into a bedroom for Humphrey’s sonand built a new porch on the front of the house.

“Rev. and Mrs. Don Peters purchased a bed for the young boy andwe are so grateful,” Hightower said.

The youth experienced many new trades that for some of them wasthe first time doing.

“It’s so neat to see the kids grow and learn skills theywouldn’t learn setting at home in front of the TV,” said SandyMcLaughlin, a member of Cypress United Methodist Church.

The group completed their work in Brookhaven Friday.