Calvin College Service-Learning Center
Spring Break 2013:
Kermit, WV
How this impacted my vocational journey
The Service-Learning Center (SLC) staff
tries to convey to each student that
they meet that the focus of their office
is not to provide desperately needed
manual or volunteer labor for their
service partners but rather an eye
opening experience to the world of
service to students. Their spring break
trips are one way in which they provide
this vital experience. For me this began
last year when I went on a spring break
trip to Kermit WV to learn about the
coal mining practice of mountain top
removal. While we were there we
stayed with two nuns who had been
living and serving that community since
the 70’s. I was blown away by the way
in which these two lived out their
Christian commitment to social and
environmental justice. The powerful
community connections they had forged
over the years are truly a testament to
their work.
This first glimpse left me wanting more
so I went back for three weeks this past
summer as well as a student leader over
spring break this year. I wanted to continue to be encouraged and taught by
listening to the sister’s stories. Every
time I return from Kermit I’m reminded
of why I’m a student. At Calvin we are
blessed that many classes here go beyond the technique to the reason for
applying it. Yet being able to see the
ways in which God’s people are serving
his kingdom in real time has convicted
me to look ahead to my post-college
with a more critical eye. This trip has
reinforced the fact that I’m not here at
Calvin for the security of my future. My
goal is not the pursuit of the American
dream but instead the pursuit of God’s
dream for the World. These reflections
are driven home to me each time I drive
up the holla to marrowbone ridge to
learn at the feet of Sister Kathy and Sister
Gretchen. As the Author of Ecclesiastes
reminds us “remember your Creator in
the days of your youth, before the days of
trouble come and the years approach
when you will say, "I find no pleasure in
them" (Ecclesiastes 12:1, NIV). The SLC
through their spring break trips have
helped me to realize that it is now that I
am required to give my life to service not
later after I have secured my earthly fortunes.
-Ian Noyes
What we learned
As with any group trip, this service
learning trip meant a lot to me. It was a
time to grow and learn with a new group
of friends. It was overwhelming at times,
but together we got through the bits
that were hardest to hear, and through
them we developed a deeper, more
complex understanding of mountaintop
removal and the people involved. We
were able to meet local children, adults
and miners. We talked through the complex relationships between coal mining,
the workers, the people who live on the
mountains and in the valleys, and the
people who use the energy created. We
were reminded over and over again, and
humbled by the fact that we are just as
much a cause of the coal mining issues as
the heads of the energy corporations.
I am so thankful for the opportunity I
had to go to Kermit, West Virginia for
spring break. Not only did I learn a lot
about environmental issues and sustainability, I had a lot fun. Our group stayed in
an old, large cabin in the mountains that
has been turned into a learning center. It
was great to be in the mountains for a
while and to be surrounded by God’s
beauty. Yet it was difficult to realize that
the beautiful Appalachian Mountains are
being impacted by mountaintop removal.
Our mentors were two amazing nuns
who have lived in the area for roughly
thirty years (we called them “The Sisters”). They made us feel very welcome
and ensured that we had a good time.
During the break we did many activities
as a means for hands-on learning.
Throughout the week we went to a
mountaintop removal mine, visited a
school and hung out with the kids, split
wood for the learning center, hauled
brush, listened to local stories and went
exploring in the woods.
All of these experiences taught me some
valuable lessons. As mountaintop removal was the focus of our trip, we spent a
lot of time discussing its effects. By the
end I learned that mountaintop removal
is a complex issue with many dimensions
including: environmental impacts, employment, health and socioeconomic
factors. All of these dimensions need to
be considered when looking at mountaintop removal. I learned that there is
no easy answer to the issue. For example, if large-scale coal industries were to
shut down, many people would lose
their jobs and the general public would
have to cut back on their consumption
of coal. When looking at big issues like
mountaintop removal, it is important to
evaluate our own lives to see if our daily
lifestyles are reaping environmental degradation. We must think about how our
electricity use might encourage mountaintop removal.
Commons Annex 121
1765 Knollcrest Circle SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Phone: 616-526-6455
Fax: 616-526-6644
Email: slc@calvin.edu
On this trip, we learned so much more
about the history and culture than simply that related to coal. Sister Kathy and
Sister Gretchen told us stories and history about their own experiences, and
the experiences of other Christians
throughout history. Hearing the stories
remind you that this world is complex.
Humans are so tightly connected to one
another, and to the earth. Everything we
do has an impact on the environment—
positive and negative--, and everything
we do has an impact on people.
Having fallen in love the Sisters and
their efforts, I plan on going back to
Appalachia for a few months after
graduation. I want to do my share to
benefit society wherever I can when
God gives me the opportunity. I was
given a teaching opportunity, and I
hope to take it.
Sincerely,
A Ninny Mouse
(Karis Roper)
portant for people on two different
sides of an issue to converse. Instead
of being hostile toward each other,
people should be open to hearing the
other perspective. The Sisters demonstrated this by getting to know the
miners and listening to their stories.
Though they strongly disagreed about
mountaintop removal, the Sisters
treated the miners with respect. They
even joked around together. I thought
this was beautiful and it inspires me to
be open minded, even when I have a
strong opinion about something.
All in all I came back from spring
break feeling refreshed and ready to
take on the rest of the semester. I
learned a lot, made new friends and
was inspired to live more sustainably. I
would highly recommend this trip to
anyone!
-Adelaide Eichorn
Another thing I learned is that it is im-
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