For about fifteen years, the Camp Hill (PA) Presbyterian Church and the First Presbyterian Church of Ramsey (NJ) have combined into a joint work team for a week serving with the MATE Housing Ministry. We really missed this week of service, faith and fun in 2020 and are hopeful to be back in 2021.

"MATE builds lives" is one of the themes of Mission at the Eastward. This applies to the youth we serve with MATE Youth Connections and the homeowners we serve with MATE Housing Ministry, but also to all of the volunteers who participate in making these programs happen. Here are some thoughts that were noted by members of the Camp Hill/Ramsey group from their last work camp in 2019:

At the start of the trip we were asked why we came to MATE. As the trip has passed along, I am reminded that I come to experience a daily life centered in service and love, removed from judgment and distraction. To rise each day, greeted by a pink dawn, and offer my day to God is an experience I plan to replicate at home. – Abby T.

This was my first year at MATE and through the week I believe I’ve gotten closer to God. My amazing and welcoming crew made this week pass too quickly. I’ve learned how to use new power tools and do tough projects. I want to thank my Gramma for inviting me and everyone on the trip for being really kind. Thank you. – Eva K.

I got to help on a crew that was putting a metal roof on a mobile home. Valerie, the homeowner, was such a special person. I loved getting to hear her story. Often the most rewarding part of this job is listening to the homeowners. – Karen R.

This was my first year with MATE. From beginning to end, I was blessed. Our work, while at times exhausting, was fun. Our team worked wonderfully together. To work a week without disagreements was amazing. My highlight was having both of the families we worked with come to the guest night dinner. Our older couple were the last to leave; they were greatly enjoying the fellowship. The mother and son from our second job participated with our work. The mother, suffering a progressive disease, was so happy to see her son work daily with us. She said he usually gets awake at noon but was up by 7:30 AM eager to work with us. Praise God! – Jeff F.

Blessed are they that “show up” in spite of fatigue, uncertainty, and even fear, for they shall get support, help, encouragement, and companionship by a multigenerational team. – Paul J.

We are looking forward to “showing up” in 2021, if the way be clear, to make new memories and to share God’s love in our service through Mission at the Eastward.

Nancy Flint, MATE Board of Directors

Love is…Church work teams, who so love the work they do at Mission at the Eastward, they come back year after year, 10, 20, 30, 40 times over.

Love is…donors and grantors who love mission work and consider it an extension of their faith, who give generous gifts of treasure and in-kind donations to make sure people know about the wonderful life-changing impact MATE has on its clients, and they want to be a part of it all.

Love is…the enlargement of a person’s heart and faith, and the transformation that happens inside one’s being, when a volunteer or donor realizes that they truly have made a difference in the life of a person or family they helped at MATE. They helped to build a life!

If you are interested in talking about or sharing resources or ideas about children and youth and mission and volunteering, or you want to know more about what it takes to bring a team of youth up to MATE to work with MATE’s Housing Ministry please email me at [email protected]. I would love to get a group together for an online chat via ZOOM to do just that!