The spring trip for the Friends of the Edisto is scheduled for the week of April 15-21, 2012. The cost of the trip is $125.00 per person. 

Download the information form and the application form.

 In March, students from Longwood University and Hampden Sydney College traveled with the Wesley Foundation to Ridgeville, South Carolina to work with the Edisto Indians.  They started working on the old community building, tearing out the floors and deteriorating framing.  When they left, a good portion of the floor framing had been replaced, but much more work was needed. 

In May, the Farmville District sent an eight member team back to Ridgeville.  Work was continued on the community building.  New flooring was installed.  Additionally, two load bearing walls were put up to replace walls that had been taken down years ago.  This took out a sag in the roof and greatly stabilized the building.  Plumbing was roughed in for two bathrooms, one with a shower, and a kitchenette.  When we return in October we plan on completing the bathrooms and putting sheet rock on the new walls. 

In requesting we work on the building, Chief Anthony Davidson said they consider it a historic building, and in ten years it will qualify for that designation and grants will be available for its restoration.  However, the current condition of the structure made it unlikely to survive another ten years.  The tribe’s vision for the building is to again use it for educational programs, as well as provide emergency shelter for families that suffer a house fire.  There will be two bedrooms as well as the kitchenette and bathrooms.  When completed it will also provide accommodations for our mission teams.  

Some high points of our trip:  we stayed in the parsonage of the three point UMC charge in Ridgeville.  On Sunday morning we attended all three services.  The women of one of the churches provided an evening meal for us, and the men provided another.  It was great to associate with them, and we may see some of them working alongside of us on future trips.  The Edisto's also received official recognition from the state of South Carolina at their pow-wow which was held the weekend we left.  We were guests of the tribe for the Friday night session of the pow-wow.  

This is an exciting mission outreach opportunity for the Farmville District.  Our next trip will be October 10-16.  You are invited to join us for this rewarding experience.  Please contact Gary Lied at tritongreen(at)hughes.net or 434-223-2672 with any questions.