The kids, the teens, the folks in the nursing home--all have been blessed by the communities of UDSAPers each summer! Read on!

Intense Community

by Bro. Mark Motz, SM - UDSAP '09 UDSAP is more "togetherness" than most people ever experience. But Community is so much more than just "togetherness". Community is more than shared experience. Community is more than a title we give ourselves that means more than just housemates.

01.05.16

Finding Peace and Love

by Michelle Perusek UDSAP '09 I remember sitting in the Love Room our first week there, staring around at all of the quotes from different generations of UDSAPers, as BT led our group in a reflection about the culture shock we were experiencing. Little did I know then, but that culture shock would take a huge turn nine weeks later, as I returned to mainstream America.

01.13.16

Personal Statement for College Application

by James Crace As a child I learned how to be free and have fun without focusing on my tough home life. As a teen I learned respect, love, and how to open up because they would intently listen.

01.13.16

That Summer

by Charissa Qui UDSAP '11 That summer, I lay beside the shade of a tree, borrowing the blanket of warmth from the sun to dry off the evidence of the creek where I learned to skip my first rock. Next to me lay a little girl way beyond her years, who spoke empathy and acceptance with her eyes, compassion and love with her touch, and who taught me self-love, innocence and resilience with her laughter and her joy.

01.11.16

Cravings

by Morgan (Groh) Gaerke UDSAP '11 I still crave showering in the lake, living with people that became my best friends, going on midnight adventures, having life chats, hugging those kids when they came to us. I crave swinging on the porch swing drinking tea. I crave being frustrated, growing in such immense ways, seeing God shine so brightly. I crave time with those kids, running wild and free with them, picking blackberries, going swimming, doing crafts.

01.11.16

Service in Reverse

by Brian Gaerke UDSAP '12 "What is UDSAP?" is one of the hardest questions I have ever had to answer. Only those who have spent the summer in Salyersville really know, and even then no one answer will be the same.