The U.M. Army is marching on Rayville.
The group is a youth mission organization affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1979. The week-long camp will consists of more than 60 high school youth and adults from churches in Louisiana, Texas and Oklahoma.
They arrive July 10 and will spend the week at First United Methodist Church in Rayville.
The church will be their home while they serve the surrounding community.
During the week, their mission is to provide free home repairs for home owners who are physically and financially unable to make needed repairs to their homes in Rayville and nearby communities.
There will be 12 work teams of four to six youths with one adult. Each team provides all materials and labor for their work site. Typical repairs include wheelchair ramps, porches, steps and handrails, exterior wood siding repairs, painting, window repairs, screens, doors and screen doors, interior sheetrock repairs, floor repairs and interior painting. There is never a charge for any work they do.
U.M. Army participants pay $250 each and every camp is self-sufficient, providing its own food, bedding, recreation and building supplies. In addition to serving people in need there is a focus on growing in Christian faith through work, worship, fellowship and fun.
The group working in the Rayville area anticipates completing repair projects on at least 20 individual homes. They are presently taking referrals for projects they will be working on in July.
If you or someone you know could benefit from the work these young people provide please call the U.M. Army Rayville Sites Line at (903) 520-5927 and ask for Stephen.