The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

Three Wahkiakum youths are on a mission this summer. A church mission, that is. They've had a coin drive, served coffee and cookies at a rest area, and held a raffle to raise money for their trip to Cincinnati, Ohio, at the end of July.

Last Sunday, the trio from Heritage Bible Church on Puget Island were writing letters to friends and family to ask for support. They also wanted someone to witness the drawing for the raffle for a cord of fire wood.

Peggy Fuller won the drawing. Of the 200 raffle tickets purchased, 27 were in her name, thanks to her friends. The young men will cut the wood according to her specifications and deliver it to her soon.

"The odds were definitely in her favor," Pastor Dave Martin said.

Kaleo Silva, Daniel Martin, and Michael Martin are the three young men heading to the Ohio River Valley this summer, along with the pastor and church member Bill Castle.

"We're going to be working with a bunch of different ministries doing whatever they need us to do," Silva said. This will include serving the homeless and working at the gospel mission.

"We'll try to help out however we can," Daniel Martin said.

They will be staying at Trinity United Methodist Church in Covington, Ky., which is just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati.

Silva and Daniel Martin will be freshmen at WHS next fall. Michael will be a junior. This is the first mission trip for the two future ninth graders, but Michael has served as a camp counselor and has a bit of experience.

The group also plans to visit the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter while they are there.