Former Student Returns to Volunteer in the School She Had Left as a Teen

In September Anyna Bedell overcame her nerves and joined the Maranatha Volunteers International group that worked at Project Patch, a nonprofit Christian boarding school for at-risk youth in Garden Valley, Idaho, United States. She was one of 44 volunteers who gathered from across the United States to help reinforce staff housing decks for the school. Bedell accomplished what she intended on the project—giving through service. But she also experienced profound healing that far exceeded her expectations.

Anyna Bedell, during her time at Project Patch, a nonprofit Christian boarding school for at-risk youth in Garden Valley, Idaho, United States. [Photo: courtesy of Maranatha Volunteers International]

Bedell’s apprehension stemmed from the fact that she attended Project Patch as a teen and left the school early, under less-than-ideal circumstances. “Anyna was disappointed, confused, and angry, and didn’t leave with the best memories of her experience,” explained Chuck Hagele, Project Patch chief executive officer. But 29 years after her departure, Bedell has come to appreciate the school’s impact. “I have noticed recently that I have been using at least one of the skills that they [taught us],” she said. “It’s called an ‘I feel’ statement, and I notice that when I get upset or frustrated, I use it more and more in my life than I thought I would.”

Anyna Bedell returned to the school after 29 years. [Photo: courtesy of Maranatha Volunteers International]

Joining the Maranatha team at Project Patch was Bedell’s expression of gratitude. She explained, “I wanted to give back to a place that kind of helped me out.” But in addition to showing her care through service, Bedell was caught off guard by the kindness she received from fellow volunteers. “I was nervous. I thought I would be judged for my story,” she explained. “But instead of being judged, I was embraced. And being embraced and having people willing to hear my story and see that I was willing to give back to a place that I did, at first, have negative feelings toward was quite healing and humbling.”

In September 44 volunteers who gathered from across the United States to help reinforce staff housing decks for the school. [Photo: courtesy of Maranatha Volunteers International]

The volunteer team’s loving atmosphere melted Bedell’s apprehension away. “I feel healed and, in a sense, that I can look at my story now and not feel the negativity about it. [I can] see how far I’ve come,” she remarked. “Our stories are never finished. God has a plan for all of us. . . . I’m still questioning what my purpose is, but it has definitely shown that He has a plan for me.”

Twenty-seven Maranatha volunteer groups have served at Project Patch since 1993, leaving a prominent footprint on the school’s infrastructure. “We couldn’t do our work without Maranatha,” Hagele said. “There’s no way we could provide [this] level of care with the facilities we’d have.”

“A lot of it was the same–yet it wasn’t,” recalled Bedell about her return to the campus. “It was eye-opening and humbling to see how much has changed and how they are trying to make things different and help the kids better.”

Every year, Maranatha Volunteers International works with organizations in the United States and Canada to provide volunteer labor for various construction or renovation projects. [Photo: courtesy of Maranatha Volunteers International]

“What I see when Maranatha comes in and does their volunteerism is that the principle of casting out fear happens,” Hagele said. “I think [Anyna’s] story is a great example of Maranatha building people.”

Every year, Maranatha works with organizations in the United States and Canada to provide volunteer labor for various construction or renovation projects at summer camps and retreat centers, schools, and churches. Work ranges from renovations of existing buildings to new construction and saves thousands of dollars in labor costs.

The original version of this story was posted by Maranatha Volunteers International. Maranatha Volunteers International is a supporting ministry not affiliated with the corporate Seventh-day Adventist Church.