1. Sharing With Appalachian People
SWAP
August 2013
Great Valley Presbyterian Church
Karen Erickson, Sharon Smoker, Cindy Betkus,
Wendy Leland, Christy Leland & Lauren MacDonald

2. Most SWAP participants come
from outside Appalachia, so
participating in SWAP usually
means stepping out of your
comfort zone.
You may have beliefs and
assumptions about sharing,
culture, poverty and other
people’s challenges.
SWAP is a home repair program
that serves low-income families
in southeastern Kentucky.
SWAP means spending a week in
the mountains of Appalachia,
working for and with local
people, relating to them and
reflecting on the week’s
experiences.

3. Why Did We Go?
Karen, Cindy &
Sharon figure it
out
Lauren &
Christy
learning a
skill
Sharon & Cindy
Sisters!
And what does the
Lord require of you?
To act justly and to
love mercy and to
walk humbly with
your God. Micah 6:8
Christy &
Will
Karen & Steve
bonding
Wendy &
Christy
bonding
Lauren,
Cindy &
Sharon put
in a bath
Wendy &
the floor

4. The first task in approaching another people,
another culture, another religion is to take off our
shoes, for the place we are approaching is Holy.
Else we will find ourselves treading on people’s
dreams. Worse, we may forget that God was there
before our arrival.
-Bishop Kenneth Cragg

5. Our Daily Schedule
6:00 Rise & shine / make sack lunch
7:00 Breakfast
7:45 Morning devotions
8:00 Travel to work site
12:00 Lunch break at site
4:00 Leave work for lodging center
4:30 Shower / free time
6:00 Dinner
7:15 Evening sessions:
- History & culture of Kentucky
- SWAP’s role in community
- Understanding poverty
- Christ-like responses to needs
10:30 Lights out (6:00 am comes early!)
Will & Steve
Nicol
e
Leah

6. Our Challenge
Evening sessions challenged us
to examine our values, our
resources, and our faith in
light of what we did during
the day and what we saw
during our SWAP experience.
We were challenged to
explore a Christian response
to poverty as well as the
importance of ongoing,
lifelong Christian service.

7. The Way
Outreach missions are everywhere there is a need.
We learned that America is not the land of plenty for
all.
That right down the road, people are suffering.
Forward
That we CAN make a difference.
That faith is strong.
That we can help.
All in His Glory!

8. I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills
From whence cometh my help.
Psalms 121