Asheville NC Mission trip

Click HERE to follow their journey.

Announcing an Adult Mission Trip to Asheville, NC! We are excited to share that First Lutheran Church will be organizing an Adult Mission Trip to Asheville, North Carolina in September, 2025!

This mission opportunity is a response to a critical need in the Asheville area, where over 40,000 homes are currently uninhabitable and 10,000 bridges are broken or unsafe. It’s a chance for us to be the hands and feet of Christ in a community that is in desperate need of support and restoration.

Let’s come together as a community to make a difference in the lives of those in need. Click HERE to view an information video

Follow our updates here:

Sunday, September 14, 2025 – we flew out of Kearney, NE very EARLY in the morning. 6:25am.  Late afternoon – our group made it to Asheville, NC. After settling in and attending an orientation with Lutheran Disaster Response, they headed out to eat, like locals. Part of the recovery is helping local restaurants get back on their feet. Here they are enjoying North Carolina barbecue, because you can’t go to the south and not eat barbecue!

Monday, September 15th, 2025 Evening: It was a good day for a good day in North Carolina. Half of our group did mudding and sanding at a house that was being repaired. The other half spent the day sorting LOTS of clothing donations. The day ended at Lutheridge, an ELCA camp. This photo is from the porch at camp as they waited for supper. Tonight the group learned that all iced tea is sweet tea in the south, and one must order it unsweetened if that is your preference! 

Tuesday, September 16, 2025 – Our Mission Team is preparing for our second day at three sites! Yesterday we went to two sites and helped to install drywall in one house, and sort through inventory of a local distribution partner similar to the Jubilee Center. We have been amazed at the resiliency and kindness of those who have committed to the recovery and restoration of the community and land. We have been supported by your prayers, and can feel you right here with us!

Tuesday, evening September 16 – . We had a great day of ministry! We installed insulation, put up more drywall, organized clothes, and we have been blessed by the many local heroes spearheading healing in their neighborhood! Despite the miles, we could not miss the volleyball game! A little bit of home has been great for us tonight in North Carolina.

Holy conversations happening in Asheville today. What holy conversations are you having this day?

Wednesday, September 17th – Today was another eventful day for our mission team! We painted several walls (without light for a bit!) organized clothes even after we ran out of racks to hang clothes on, finished installing insulation, and got to learn more about the many hands that have been before us at these projects! We have been blessed through your prayers, and can feel you with us!

 

Thursday, September 18:  We had another successful day for our mission trip! We installed trim at two different houses, helped to create a kitchen feature, organized a thrift store, and put some paint on many rooms! We are ready for our final day by splitting into even more teams! We have many laughs together on and off the worksite. Thank you to all who are praying for us. We have many great memories we can’t wait to share with you!

   

September 18 – Still smiling on day 4!

Friday, September 19  Part of our group in Asheville worked with NECHAMA-Jewish Response to Disaster. They are pictured below. It was an incredible experience partnering with our Jewish neighbors to help people rebuild their lives. If you would like to learn more about the way Jewish people and Christians read the Bible, join our Wednesday morning Bible Study at 10:30am next week!

 

Saturday, September 20 We have arrived in Chicago, one flight closer to home! We finished a wonderful day of ministry yesterday and look forward to returning to our families and communities. It has been a wonderful time, thank you for your prayers and support.