HCD MEGRO WN HELP By Brooklyn Billner For most students, spring break was a chance Lo get away from Searcy to enjoy a week skiing, swimming or serving with friends. However, for one group of students that was not the case. From February 28 to March 5, 2016, Harding held its first spring break campaign in Searcy. Senior Madie McGuire had the idea during her sophomore year al Harding in 2014. "It came to me when I was starting to get really close with people, and [I wanted] a week were we could all stay in the same place together," :\1cGuire said. "I had discovered that serving people is one of my favorite ways to hang out with others." M cGuire a5kedjw1ior Trey Davis to co-direct the campaign with her in May 2015, and they began planning during the following August. "I immediately liked the idea and thought it was great," Davis said. "Everyone thinks a mission trip means you have to go somewhere, but I really think there arc so many opponunities here in Searcy, and a lot of them we don't even know about as Harding students." According to sophomore Audra Shumaker, the group did not have any set plans until the week of the campaign. "Even days before [the campaign started], we didn't know where we were going to stay," Shumaker said. "But God worked through it all. Everything was basically given t.o us or done for us. He really took control of our worries." The group's biggest project was atjacob's Place, a nonprofit that provides housing to homeless families ,vith children in the White County area.Jacob's Place was a huge blessing for both the organization and the students, according to McGuire. "They were preparing for their remodel, but didn't actually have the man power to get anything done," Davis said. "We had someone there every single day of the trip. It was surprising how much we were able ro help them." The group also served with the Carmichael Center, College Church of Christ's Caring and Sharing and The Rock House Nlinistrics. "Serving with different groups of kids really opened my eyes," Shumaker said. "Some days I left at a loss for words, and some days [I left] full or joy." According to Shumaker, the group's final night was spent at Bee Rock, located at Camp Wyldewoocl in Searcy, reflecting on their week. "Each of us talked about how the week changed our hearts and how we view Searcy in a new way," Shumaker said. "I had zero expectations about changing that week, while staying in Searcy. However, God had stripped us down from what we were eA"j)ecting and gave us something completely different." Students who participated in the Searcy spring break campaign take a break from their work to capture a photo on March 4, 2016. Students helJied with mentoring. remolding, sorting supplies and other tasks to aid Local nonprofits. I Photo courtes)' of Sarah Roe ~ --
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