by Rev. Doug Douma
Sola Appalachian Christian Retreat, Unionville, NY
the Missions Banner, September 2026

Though New York is a state with a large population and a great history, these days there are many challenges here and few Christians, even in rural areas like our own. Thus, it was a great blessing to have the ten volunteers of Team Timothy come visit us and assist in our mission efforts for a week. It was a blessing simply to have such dedicated Christians here with us; and an additional blessing in significant work they accomplished.

There was excellent preparation ahead of time by Pastor Casey Southerland who led the trip. This made it so that each volunteer had clear tasks to undertake that well-matched their skills. Some of the physically strongest volunteers helped us recover large sections of a walnut tree taken down last fall. What would have taken me a week or more with cables and winches to pull up a hillside, they were able to complete in a couple half-days of work as a team. Similarly, invites for the church’s ice cream social would have taken me a full week to hand out door to door. Team Timothy got the work done and got people to the church. They also helped on a deck-building project at our house where we host hikers, cooked many meals, and proclaimed the Gospel in person with hikers. But the greatest blessing to us was their presence and Christian willingness to help. Their attitudes and their hard work were an encouragement to us. And our small children quickly grew fond of the volunteers as well. 

Team Timothy even took Priscilla out for a day and watched the children in the meanwhile; a great blessing to her who is always on duty both with family and guests. Priscilla says of this: “I was so blessed by the opportunity to go out for a portion of one of the days with the women of Team Timothy! Some highlights were getting nails done, Greek cuisine for lunch and the fellowship with fellow sisters in the Lord. I especially enjoyed being reminded of the challenges and joys of those in different seasons of life than my own.”

All of this leads me to say, “Viva Team Timothy” and “come back soon!”