Seeds of Hope

Seeds of Hope Planted at Killbuck Elementary

By Pastor Chip Woodall

You never know what God might have you do to serve and plant seeds of the gospel in other people’s lives. I am literally sitting at a lunchroom table of an elementary school in Killbuck, Ohio. No kids are eating or talking to their friends because they are out for the summer break. However, the school is very busy in other ways as our mission team is helping prepare for their return, along with the team of teachers and administrators.

We are here in Killbuck Village, Ohio all week doing mission work and a camp. In the morning hours, we are at the school volunteering. In the afternoon hours, we are at the Duncan Theater doing summer camp.

I am amazed as we work along with the head custodian and her support team of one. The dynamic female duo of Killbuck Elementary takes care of both the inside and outside cleaning and grounds. Wow! What a huge responsibility and important part of the total team effort that goes on year round at any given school across America.

The Elementary School was originally the High School for this area, and while carrying desks, I noticed a memorial that dates back to 1911, where the students were drafted to serve in our armed forces. Their service for our freedom has left a legacy dating back over a century. It is neat to see this school still honors those students who served as soldiers. The plaque is hanging on the wall as you go into the gym, which once was the main entrance into the school.

On another wall back in the lunchroom, I see Class Pictures dating back to 1930. As I look at the hundreds of graduates and athletes, I can’t help but wonder who is still living and who has gone on. Did anyone ever plant a few seeds of the gospel inside of them? Did the seeds cultivate a harvest of salvations? Where are they now…if only these walls could talk!

Mean while, we have team members here on their hands and knees, painting red and blue on the facing of the steps that go up 5 flights. I see a lot of patriotic colors, flags and things that stand for America all over this school. It feels good to be one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all…well, at least for this week.

We are safe here, right? This is America, the land of the free and the home of the brave. Yet, just a few weeks ago, another elementary school very much like this one went through a tragedy that has created memories no one ever wants to remember.

A school is a special place in any community. It deserves respect, care, improvements and growth. The students, teachers, staff and administration are a special part of its make-up. A gunman has no rights on its property. If only that young man who did the shooting could have invested instead of taking away, maybe the seeds would have cultivated something that was positive in the future.

Currently, Our team members are doing that as they carry desks, copy paper, floor fans, blowers and anything that you could imagine to put school rooms back together. A class room with beautiful floors, clean desks and rows of shelving, all awaiting the return of special kids.

A lot of care and attention goes into the yearly transition of students being promoted toward that magical moment of graduation. I am not sure as parents, grand parents or even local tax payers, we fully appreciate and realize the gravity and depth of what takes place inside the school walls.

Do we plant seeds, do we reflect on the memories, do we offer to volunteer and help, do we even show we care and appreciate our education system where we live? This Christwalk Mission Team has worked hard to assist, plant gospel seeds and appreciate the rich history of an old school that has progressed in various ways over the last 100 plus years.