Concordia University Wisconsin students and staff spent their spring break serving in Newland, North Carolina, as part of disaster relief efforts following Hurricane Helene’s flooding and destruction.
This year’s annual spring break team partnered with the Lutheran Early Response Teams to help pick up trash and clear local sites in the community of Newland.
It has been 18 months since Hurricane Helene, so students had anticipated rebuilding or repairing in the local area, but instead spent their time picking up trash left in the wake of the flooding.
“The entirety of the week was essentially still cleanup. There were still a lot of places that had not been touched…there was still so much trash and litter in so many different places,” Residence Director, Mason Brown said.
As one of the trip leaders, Brown was amazed by the character of the college students to spend their break doing service.
“It definitely is encouraging to see that students are still wanting to go serve and willing to sacrifice their time, money, and their energy,” Brown said. “I think it is a testament to their character and a testament to the students we have here at Concordia.”
This was student Emma Wagner’s second trip with CUW, and she believes service brings people together.
“It’s truly like a kingdom on earth, and it’s such a beautiful thing. Everybody just wanted to serve and do the Lord’s work, and that is what made the community so close-knit,” Wagner said.
Amongst Brown’s several trips in the past, the community of Newland expressed the most gratitude he has seen in the mission field.
“This was the most gratitude I’ve ever seen out of a community while I was there. Like all we were doing was picking up trash, but they were still so grateful…it’s not about picking up trash or building a house, it’s the fact that you came and gave up your time to serve,” Brown said.
Brown and Wagner encourage all considering it to attend and serve the Lord in the mission field.
“To people who might be considering it, just do it. It is the best week of my year. You get to meet so many new people and just really experience the goodness of God’s grace,” Wagner said.
The annual spring break mission trip will take place again next year, with the location to be announced in the future.
— Melena Weber serves as Student Editor for The Beacon. She is a junior studying Mass Communications and Hospitality & Event Business. She is the Membership Coordinator for Campus Activities Board and the Student Engagement Intern for Concordia Crew.