ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, August 8, 1996 TAG: 9608080035
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C-1 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: FINCASTLE
SOURCE: JAMES TOLLIVER JR. STAFF WRITER
A GROUP OF CHILDREN from an inner-city Philadelphia church found a home away from home among members of Mill Creek Baptist Church this week.
A frenzy of voices came to a halt when Tommy Moore stood on a wooden picnic table and roared, "Everybody sit down with their leader!"
All the children and group leaders listened to the instructions of the towering figure.
Moore usually works as Circuit Court clerk in Botetourt County, but this week he's a daytime activities coordinator for Mill Creek Baptist Church's Vacation Bible School.
"Does anybody know where we're going today?" Moore said. "We're going to the Peaks of Otter."
That was a strange name to some of the children.
"What's a otter's peak?" one boy asked his new friend.
"A big trail in the mountains," the friend responded.
Moore warned the young people what they might see while hiking the rugged Sharp Top Trail.
"There are snakes there," Moore said.
"Snakes?" a petite voice interrupted from the crowd.
"Yes, snakes," Moore replied. "In case of a snake bite, find Dr. Bob. Now let's get on the bus by groups. But first, a prayer."
When the prayer ended, the voices that once were silent exploded with excitement as more than 60 children ran to the bus.
Monday's ride to the Peaks was nothing unusual for half the children, who live in Botetourt County. But not all of the children were from Botetourt. They're not even from Virginia.
"For the past three or four years, our church has gone to [Trinity Baptist Church in] Philadelphia to help with their program," said Bob Allen, also known as Dr. Bob and the co-chairman of Mill Creek's "Philadelphia Project." "It's usually hot in Philly, and members of the church wanted to buy some portable air conditioners to take there. So we thought instead of doing all that, why don't we just bring them here?"
The project committee got to work. Members planned to provide a bus, housing, and a weeklong vacation Bible school that included a variety of daily activities at no cost to the young people from Philadelphia.
Members of Mill Creek raised more than $4,000. Part of the money would help rent the bus that would bring down 27 children and four adult chaperones from Trinity. And 22 families from Mill Creek agreed to house the visitors.
But still more was needed. The congregation began to solicit businesses and other churches for donations.
"Whatever we needed, people were more than willing to give," said Judy Deel, who also is a daytime activities coordinator.
The Roanoke Valley Baptist Church Association donated $1,000. Some lunch items were provided by Winn-Dixie and Kroger. Both the Bank of Fincastle and the Bank of Botetourt donated hats and bags.
A van was donated by Lawrence Transfer. And most of the vacation Bible school participants will ride on a bus donated for the week by Pleasant Hill Baptist Church in Troutville. Still other items were donated by other local businesses and churches.
"I told the church if we do the work of the Lord, money is the least of our worries," said James George Jr., pastor of Mill Creek.
Once the logistical items had been taken care of, it was time to have fun.
The Peaks of Otter was the first field trip of the week. The visitors from Trinity were amazed by the mountains.
"I've never seen so many bugs," Deshauntae Wagner said. "But I'm having a good time."
About half of the group completed the 1 1/2-mile hike up Sharp Top Trail. Although some hikers twisted ankles and one even threw up, fatigue was the main reason many stopped hiking.
Tuesday proved an even bigger adventure when the group went to Marshall Brothers Dairy Farm in Fincastle.
"I think I'm going to be sick," one boy yelled as he got off the bus, the stench of cow manure heavy in the air.
"My stomach is turning!" Wagner agreed.
As time passed, though, the children no longer complained about the smell. Their curiosity led them into a barn full of calves, where the odor was the strongest.
They rubbed and petted the calves, but they wanted to see the "big cows" give milk.
"I think the kids are really enjoying themselves," Moore said.
Everyone received an ice cream sandwich after the tour.
The group loaded the bus and gave a unified "thank you" to the farmers who took time from their work to give them the tour.
Off to the pool at Limestone Park.
A group of 13 eager swimmers got in before they'd gotten the OK. Tracey Kohl, director of weekday ministries at Trinity, told them to get out.
They had to sit on the edge of the pool until the entire group was ready and the rules of the pool were read.
"Repeat after me: Obey the lifeguard, stay off the ropes, no running, pushing, dunking," Kohl shouted as the children responded. "And only those who pass the swim test can dive off the board."
Before five minutes passed, a rule was broken.
"Megan, you're running," Kohl said. "Sit down."
Discipline and responsibility are some of the primary skills taught to the youth at Trinity. But the church's programs are not geared only to adolescents.
"We distribute about 300 bags of food a month," said Tom Cairns, pastor at Trinity. "We also have classes through our program called Fresh Start."
Fresh Start teaches practical skills; anyone who is on public assistance and has children is eligible.
"Some examples of things we do are, we help people manage checkbooks and teach shopping skills," Cairns said. "But the most valuable thing they are getting is hope."
Cairns said the church works with children in the hope that they will acquire those life skills before they become adults. The church also wants to show the young people - many of whom have never been out of the city - that there's life outside Philadelphia.
"This is so good for the kids," Kohl said. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience for them."
Cairns still can't believe what members at Mill Creek have done.
"What they have done is nothing short than amazing. They have spent a lot of money and love on us," Cairns said. "They're some of the most generous people I've ever met."
Members of Mill Creek want to make this an annual event.
"Qashime [one of the participants from Trinity] was telling my husband stories about life in Philly," said Sue Sweet, co-chair of the project committee. "He said that he had to be in before dark because that's when the shooting starts."
Isaac Mack is from Botetourt County, Evan Wiles from Philadelphia. Before Sunday, they didn't know each other.
But on the bus ride to the Peaks of Otter, they sat with each other. To make room for two other people, Evan sat on Isaac's lap.
They traded hats to see how the other's fit. They even spoke up in vacation Bible school when the question was asked, "Who has made new friends?"
The boys never took into account their racial or socioeconomic differences. They seemed so compatible that some thought Evan was staying at Isaac's house for the week.
"No, he's just my friend," Isaac replied.
LENGTH: Long : 142 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: PHILIP HOLMAN Staff. 1. Carl Copeland, 7, tries to get aby CNBbetter look at a cow in a milking shed at the Marshall Brothers
Dairy north of Troutville. Ashley Moore (pointing), a member of Mill
Creek Baptist Church, helps host Carl's group, from a Philadelphia
church. color. 2. Members of Trinity Baptist Church Bible school
gather on the dairy farm's grounds for an ice cream snack before
heading off for a swim. color. 3. A 3-week-old calf gets lots of
love from the day-campers (left). 4. Evan Wiles (left in photo
above) from Philadelphia and new-found friend Isaac Mack listen to a
camp chaperone run through the pool rules.