OXFORD —  Three years ago the Seventh-day Adventist Church’s congregation began organizing missions in support of communities in underprivileged countries. They raise money to provide seed livestock for farming, sewing machines to help women earn a living, support education and provide food shelter and clean water.

Alivia Proctor of Harrison helped launch youth mission projects through the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Oxford. The congregation’s youth are holding a bake sale at the church on Nov. 20 to help a neighbor in need. Nicole Carter / Advertiser Democrat

As children in the congregation watched, the adults had no idea how the examples they were setting would rub off on the younger set.

The kids decided to start their own mission projects, in secret, to show the adults what they could do, too. Even COVID-19 shutdowns would not stop them; they just multi-tasked by picking up returnable bottles along the roadways to raise money and clean up Oxford Hills neighborhoods. They held bottle drives, collecting them by the bags. When the church as ready to provide close to $10,000 to Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) to drill a well for an African community, the kids kicked in a jar holding $300 to contribute.

Inspired to keep going, the sabbath school students then raised $400 that went towards buying livestock, food and medical supplies through ADRA. Last year the kids turned their attention to the local community, raising money to support Responsible Pet Care animal shelter in South Paris, donating money to their church to help pay for renovations and provide Christmas presents and holiday feast to clients of the Abused Womens Advocacy Project in Norway.

This year, they are going big, with plans to help a congregation member, Kristene, who needs a new home to replace her old and unsound mobile home. Again, the whole church is involved.

The kids have already started, raising about $3,300 so far by collecting bottles, holding on a bake sale and putting out donation jars at local businesses. Now, they are preparing for a pie sale that will take place on Nov. 20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Their goal is to sell 50 pies for $20 a piece and collect $1,000 for Kristene.

Sue Proctor, whose children Alivia and Nicholas were the first to launch youth missions, is assisting their friend in researching and applying for grants. Proctor is working with Kristene’s assigned case manager, gathering information on financing options and  talking with agencies like Community Concepts about the logistics of replacing the home.

Nicholas Proctor of Harrison helped launch youth mission projects through the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Oxford. The congregation’s youth are holding a bake sale at the church on Nov. 20 to help a neighbor in need.

She said they have secured about $35,000 so far in the form of a grant and while that will help, there is still a long way to go, especially considering the excavation and sitework necessary to prepare the woman’s property for a new structure.

“Kristene took care of her parents, who originally owned the home,” Proctor explained. “She was a caregiver to others and always the person who wanted to help everyone else.”

Health issues affected Kristene to the point she could not longer afford to maintain her old trailer and now she can no longer able to care for herself, living in such a distressed environment.

“In addition to raising money, we also need to solicit donations of materials and services to get this done,” Proctor said. “If someone has equipment and can help pour a pad for a new mobile home. Kristene’s leech system is working as of now, but we don’t know what condition it’s in. It may be that it needs replacing.”

Church members are making arrangements for Kristene to spend the winter in warmer, safer conditions, possibly with the Proctors. Estimates for a new home for Kristene could exceed $100,000, according to lending officials Proctor has spoken with.

“She cannot afford a mortgage,” she said. “But we need to help her. It’s God’s timing and we’re working to bring it all together for her.”

Youth of Oxford’s Seventh-day Adventist Church are helping raise money to provide a church congregant with a new mobile home. From left: Courteney Walker, Sam Cornish, Silas Cuffori, Karrah Walker, Isaiah Hartman, Kadence Walker, Nakomis Cuffori, Alivia Proctor, and Nick Proctor with their good friend Kristene. Supplied photo