Perry, FL (SYP) – June 21-27, 2026

This week marked the start of the summer youth program in Perry, Florida. On Sunday evening, 15 youth and adults from Lindale Mennonite Church arrived from Virginia. After a long van ride, they were eager to serve those in need as the hands and feet of Jesus.

Monday morning, work began on two homes damaged by back-to-back hurricanes in 2023 and 2024.

One group served at the home of Grace here in Perry. We were blessed to have a professional drywaller on our team who filled more than 20 holes, patched and skim- coated all the walls in the bathroom to restore the home to its original condition. The team also cleaned, painted, and worked on a laundry room door, and helped with other small tasks. Since the homeowner had limited mobility due to an injury, the team also helped her move furniture back into place. She was deeply grateful and said, “You have made my house a home

The second group served at a home in Steinhatchee that was on pylons nine feet in the air where they installed insulation under the house and protected it by adding corrugated tin over it. While other teams painted beams, built interior stairways, and added bracing to the roof trusses. Still, another team created an exterior stairs and landings for the people to enter and exit their home.

One evening, the group enjoyed a barbeque before heading off to the beach where they encountered hermit crabs and had time to explore the area.

On Thursday afternoon, the kitchen crew surprised each work crew with ice cream at their worksite. It was a welcome surprise on a 90 degree day!

On Thursday evening, the youth group watched the World Cup game, cheering on the USA (despite the loss).

By midweek, Lowell Peachey who will be serving as PD and his wife Rita, who will be serving as OM arrived. They will be leading the teams over the course of the month of July.

The present long-term volunteer team of: Ed Lombardi, PD; Laverne Delp, CL; Dale Horst, CL; Bill Beachey, CL; Jim Lehman, Head Cook; Rita Lehman, Assistant Cook; Bev Delp, OM are thankful for the opportunity to serve here in Perry, FL.