Reflections from Summer 2010 Trip

Katelyn Sussli (2012)

When thinking of the word simplicity, I personally think of taking things away, picking and choosing between items that are absolute necessities and then things that are really wanted and making cuts whether its cost, number or quality. But never did I think of anyone choosing by their own free will to want to have simplicity. In this twenty first century, a century containing people consumed with the latest innovations, fashions and quick fixes to success, the significance of life is lost. People plan their lives; they go to grade school to get to high school, high school to get into college, college to get a successful and beneficial job and job to retire.  But what about all those moments in between, all the little things; the people you encounter, the accomplishments you obtained and failures you learned from, the support from family, friends and neighbors, the experiences that shape your life or the morals the shaped your being. Compare the two lists; money vs. failures learned from, a new car vs. family support, designer hang bags vs. a best friend, material awards and praise vs. extra minutes with a loved one. What has the world become? Why am I living like this? This is the wrong way to live. These are a few statements that came across my mind upon my return from Liberty, Kentucky.

Service trips are completed daily across the world, in different countries, different states and different cities. When packing for my trip to Liberty, I was skeptical about what was in store for me over the next week. Garlic harvesting season, weeding, sleeping on a gym floor, hot HOT weather… that sounds like an ideal week! But hey colleges like service trips, and to be honest that was the only reason I was attending this Liberty trip was for college and to get some service. But although it was only seven days, I can say that I will never attend Liberty because it looks good on an application, it will be because I miss the relationships I have built with different people at the Blessing Home, Lange’s, Reusser’s, NAPA, Galilean Home and Dunlap’s and also for the lessons that they have all taught me. While down there someone told me that no matter where you go to help people or do service and also no matter how much time you spend or work you put in, the people you work with will always give you something more. This statement could not fit a description for Liberty better.

While in Liberty, I worked with the Lange’s, Pete, Reusser’s and NAPA and was so lucky to experience different people, listen to different experiences, and learn from so many wise and happy people. For the Lange’s, Pete and Reusser’s, their life was simple, but the work was hard, but never once did I hear any of them complain about the weather, the crop or their conditions; in fact I honestly believe that they truly understand what life is about and truly appreciate all their blessings. While performing different tasks like weeding, cutting down a bush that we agreed was a tree, or staking acres of peppers the work no matter how laborious or how demanding never seemed bad and at times was quite enjoyable. It was made this way by a few things; the hospitality of the families, multiple sets of hands and water breaks, but mainly by the conversation and the skills we “suburban” girls were reminded of such as listening without anticipating a text message, savoring a moment, seeing things beyond its surface description, working together, smelling the beauty of nature, of life and feeling the love and support that each family had not only for their own family but their neighbors and even us strangers. The simple events of having lunch together, a volleyball game, cards or a cookout seem do dull in my home while in Liberty they are more fun than seeing a midnight movie premiere or throwing a party. It was the simple things that left the memories.

After the drive back home and unpacking all the garlic scented clothes, I couldn’t help but to reminisce on each day, each moment, each stake drilled into ground, each new friend I had met, each story I had listened to, each song I heard played, each dog I had seen at Pete’s, each auto part that was cleaned, each piece of wood assembled into the shed, each laugh, each smile, each hug. The people in Liberty, Kentucky although they seem to be behind in the latest innovations are actually ahead of our materialistic twenty first century society because they choose to live simply. Each person has free will meaning that each person makes the choice to turn on the TV, to constantly have their phone with them, to skip family time to finish work, to yell and scream at loved ones because of stress, to make their life complicated. We choose to not live simply. Through my Liberty experience I have learned that although it seems harder to live a life without television, devoted to God, and have limited distractions, it is the best life and the least complicated of any life we have in Cincinnati. The simple times are what we will remember and when we die one day we won’t remember the car we drove in high school, the extra hours put into a job or the number of digits in a salary. Instead the family, friends, lessons, and stories we heard and learned from will reflect who we truly are.  In the words of Confucius, “Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”

Laura Hendrixson (2012)

My first trip to Liberty, KY was a long, tiring, and hot experience filled with hard work, peppers, and so many weeds. Nevertheless I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of my time in there as I touched, tasted, smelled, listened, and saw a new way of life. The one thing that made every somewhat unpleasant experience listed above worth every second was, in all honesty, the relationship I built with every individual I met throughout my journey in Liberty. I cannot wait to immerse myself back into the way of life that is Liberty, KY. Each day I spent working in the community seemed to open my eyes to a new life lesson. The first and last day I spent there where the most influential to my everyday life. 

Thursday I was sent out to work at the Kreiders. You had already explained to us their current family situation; however that in no way prepared me for what lie behind their closed doors and in some cases hearts. We were given the job of weeding the over grown flower beds which surrounded the house, and it was while doing so when we met Rachel.  She was so excited to help and entertain us, however as our relationship grew over the next days, it became very apparent that she was concerned about what was happening within her family and moving away from the life she knew to live in Pennsylvania. Yet she strongly believed that God would provide for all the needs of her and her family. Our prayers were the most precious gift we could ever give her. 

While cleaning saddles in the Kreider’s basement we were given the opportunity to talk with Daniel and Natasha’s mother. (Note: Danield and Natasha had been living with the Kreiders for a year while their mom got her life straighted out.) After hearing her opinion of cell phones, sleepovers, and her children’s choice of friends the only emotion I could fathom was love, for my own mother. My experience with the Kreiders, especially Daniel and Natasha, expressed to me how lucky I am to not only be healthy, with a wide variety of opportunities for my future, but to have parents that care for and love me, in addition to helping me work through life no matter the circumstance. All the time spent with the residents of the Galilean Home also showed me that I am so immensely blessed. I should be thanking God everyday for what He has given me and put more trust in Him as everyone in Liberty does.

Tuesday was my favorite day of the entire trip, largely impart because I was given the chance spend the day with Pete.  I have been inspired by his story and out look on life. To be able to take what he was given in life and be so completely happy is truly amazing. When he told us that the best possible life he imagined for himself when he was younger was no where near how good his life is now, I was taken back mainly because he lives such a simple life, but through his eyes it is perfect. Then there were his crosses. He has such an amazing love and gratitude towards God that he feels he was called to give every one he meets one of his crosses. This mission alone is wondrous but when he said, "I would be honored if you would take one of my crosses.” I realized that he was a true servant of God. This is because we were the ones humbled and honored to take one of his crosses, yet it was as though we were doing him a favor. 

I will always remember the impact this trip has had on the way I will live my life but also the way I will perceive those in my life. The people I grew close to through that week will forever be in my thoughts, prayers, and heart. Thank you so much for giving your time to allow me to have this experience. I will be forever be grateful of every nightly circle time, every pepper stake we drove, every smile we caused, and every moment spent in Liberty, KY. 

Katie Wiesenberg (2011)  aka "Weezy"

My summer trip to Liberty, Kentucky was a life changing experience for me.  I got to meet with old friends and meet many knew ones!  During this trip I felt a lot closer to God, and the people that were around me. 

My first day in Liberty I got to go to Marie’s house, I was really excited to help her out because I heard how nice she was, and of course how much she fed us!  When we got to Marie’s house I also got the privilege to meet her brother, David.  He is a very funny man, and he may be old on the outside be he is definitely young at heart.  I’m grateful that I was able to go to Marie’s house!  Marie was just so happy that we came, and even though we didn’t even do that much she was still very grateful!  I thought it was funny because we were only in the sun for about ten minutes and she’s was just like “Oh you girls must be so hot! Come inside and lets have something to eat!”  She is just the sweetest lady and I hope I get to see her again!

My second day in Liberty I went to the Lange’s house.  Jerome put us in separate groups and as we were working out in the fields our group looked up at the sky and noticed that it was about to rain.  We all stopped what we were doing and just listened (which of course was the theme for the day “hearing”) so as we closed our eyes and listened, we could actually hear the rain coming.  It was so cool because I’ve never actually heard rain approach!  After the rain storm we all went back outside to work and I was assigned to go pull weeds out of a carrot patch.  At first I was totally fine with it thinking I always pull weeds how different could it be from home….boy was I wrong.  There were ten times as many weeds as there were carrots.  But I don’t regret it because we made a lot of out it because it was very muddy so we just kind of played in the mud.  And I remember one time Katie Markgraf accidently pulled out a carrot and started eating it!  What this day taught me was that even though rain can ruin a days work, you can still have fun with it playing in the mud like little kids again, without a care in the world of what people think!

On my third day in Liberty, it was a Sunday, which is a day of rest.  We all got up early to go to a Catholic mass, and after that we joined all our friends that we work in the fields with at their Anglican church, which they are still building.  I thought it was so cool how we got to visit two churches; they are a lot alike but different at the same time.  After mass we all went back to the Galilean home and hung out there till we all decided to either go swimming or fishing.  I decided that I wanted to go swimming in the pond because I heard that it had an awesome rope swing.  When we arrived, we all didn’t expect to see two Mennonites boys swimming in their underwear!  And believe me they were surprised to see us too!  After that we all went down to the pond next to the rope swing, which right next to it was a huge ladder that you climb up if you want to go further in the water.  I was supper nervous, it took me a good ten minutes to get the nerve to jump off the swing, but once I did I was so happy! It was so exhilarating!  After that I kept doing it, even though every time I got on the ladder it took me a while to jump off again!  What this day taught me is to face my fears; I kept telling myself that God wouldn’t let anything bad happen to me, and I was right.

On my fourth day in Liberty, I went and visited the Reussers.  We went out to their pepper fields, which they had three acres of!  We had to put up wooden posts and string around the posts so that the peppers would stay up right.  I was left to do the stringing, which I found easy but difficult at the same time.  At first it was easy but then you realize how long the row is and it feels like you will never finish it!  But it is so rewarding when you do!  Unfortunately, in the middle of the afternoon when the sun is at its highest I got really over heated.  And by the time I finished my row of stringing I found out that Mr. Forman (aka T4) took his truck which had all the ice in it to go get ice cream, which I was totally for getting ice cream, but since I was over heated and drank all my water all I could do was sit helplessly in the shade with a massive headache! After about 20 minutes or so Mr. Forman finally came back with ice cream which made me feel a whole lot better!  But after that I learned to never have an empty water bottle before you go back to work!

On our last day of work I went to the Dunlaps!  After annoying Mr. Forman of how much I wanted to go to the Dunlaps he finally told me I was one of the selected few!  I was really happy!  Thank you Mr. Forman!  Amanda Becker, Emma Stiver and I all went to the Dunlaps which was a lot of fun because we go to make a barn for the new baby calf that would be born at any time.  What I really enjoyed what Nathan Dunlap, Nathan is one of the nicest men I have ever met!  When you ask him a question, he stops everything he is doing, gives you his full attention and answers your question.  No one has ever done that to me before, it made me feel good about myself. Something that I learned from Nathan is patience, because when Amanda and I were working on the barn and Nathan had to leave to get stuff, we messed up a lot and broke the drill by accident.  When we told Nathan we thought he would get angry, but we were totally wrong, he just smiled at us and said that everyone makes mistakes and that it’s only a barn so it doesn’t have to be perfect and to not worry about the drill cause he used to brake it all the time and that he has extras.  I am so glad I got the spend the day at the Dunlap’s, I got to know them a lot better and I now have a better understand for why they do the things they do to live simply.

My experience of this trip means a lot to me!  I made so many new friends and I learned to appreciate what I have.  If I learned anything from this trip it’s that I should be giving thanks to God.  Everyday I would listen to the people that live in Liberty and how they associate everything they do to God.  For example; when it rained that Saturday at the Lange’s Jerome just told me that it was God’s plan that even though we got really behind on the days work, God had a plan for it.  Jerome didn’t think of the rain as a negative he thought of it as a great thing from God, and I took a lot from that.  I’m so glad I was able to go on this trip and I’m hoping that I will be able to go in the fall! 

And believe it or not but I think I found my calling when I went to the summer Liberty trip.  And I found that calling at the Galilean Children’s Home.  It was our last day there and we were about to leave, and Mr. Forman sent me over to give some things to Jerry Tucker that we borrowed.  When I was on my way back I saw Amy, (a girl that lives in the blessing home and she’s not verbal, but she always uses sign language saying “Jesus loves you”) I came up next to her and crouched in front of her so that she could see me and said in sign language to her “Jesus loves you” and after I did that she just had the biggest smile on her face!  This made me so happy; I can’t even describe how happy it made me feel that I made her smile so big!  As I was walking back to the Gym I decided that that’s what I wanted to do with my future, help the special needs, because the feeling of making them feel special means the world to me!

Emma Stiver (2011)

This trip to Liberty was a bit different for me this time. It was cool to have so many new people on the trip and definitely brought a new aspect to my trip experience. I learned a lot about leadership and what it means to be a leader. I also learned a lot about appreciation for others. People like Jerome, Mr. Forman, the Kreiders, and so many others in Liberty that do so much for their community.

But, what struck me the most though is something Jean said on the night he sang for us and also how Jean interacted with all his siblings from the home. It truly amazes me how much love there is in the Galilean Home, and also how expecting they are. That is something I have tried to incorporate into my every day life. I love continuing to build friendships with everyone I have met and of course mess around with Ethan and Aaron.

Liberty is like another home.

Lisa Stiver (parent)

This poem was inspired by one of our morning walks in Jerome’s garden. When we arrived at the Lange’s farm each morning, Jerome said, “Let’s take a walk in the garden.” During our walk, Jerome commented that his walks in the garden were a time when he took notice of all that was happening in the garden. He looks for disease and notices whether or not the crops need water or need to be weeded. He observes the weather. As we walked, Beau followed Jerome closely. He appeared to hang on every word Jerome said. As Jerome turned so did Beau. When Jerome stopped to take in the landscape so did Beau. Walking in the garden on a sunny morning was delightful. The dew sat on the grass, the flowers and all of the vegetation. It was a time of day filled with calm and the heat of the day had not yet begun. I enjoyed the two mornings I spent at the farm taking a walk with Jerome, not only a farmer, but a scientist at work.

A Farmer and His Dog

Each morning,

the farmer and his dog

 walk in the garden.

As the farmer walks,

he observes

the plants growing in his garden.

He looks carefully.

Determining whether the plants

are ready to harvest or

 if they need more water or to be weeded.

As the farmer walks,

his dog follows closely.

As the dog walks,

He observes the farmer.

He looks carefully.

Determining whether the farmer

will go left or right,

pausing as the farmer pauses.

The farmer and his dog

walk in the garden…

pausing,

observing,

monitoring,

preparing for the day ahead.

Maeve O'Connor (2011)

My overall reaction from going to Liberty Kentucky was truly amazing. I learned so much from not only everyone we helped, like the Langes, the Reussers, and the Dunlaps but also from all of the girls that went as well. I learned how blessed I am and how hard work can get you far in life. I met a lot of new friends, encountered new experiences, and took away a lot from this trip. I would love to go on another trip to Liberty to see all of the people we helped and more, and to meet a whole new group of friends. Thank you so much for allowing me to go on the Liberty Kentucky trip and I hope to embark on another trip in the near future.

Theresa Guye (2013)

At  first when I found out I was going to liberty I wasn't all that excited. Not because I didn't want to go but because I didn't know what to expect. This was my first time going on a Mission trip and I was excited but worried. Would the other girls like me? would the work be too hard? would I know anyone going? All my worries were put to ease when I got To the gym after the car ride. Everyone helped unpack then we played volleyball. And I had loads of fun at the Lange's house the first few days of the trip. Somehow everybody got this crazy thought that I liked Aaron! I don't know how that would have come up!! I’m so glad to have gone on Liberty  and DEFINITELY am going to future trips!!!