Moab, Utah, is an ideal spot for a family vacation. Rafting, canoeing, biking, camping and sightseeing are just a few of the many activities that make for a perfect summer getaway.

But for 13 families on Maranatha Volunteer International’s 2004 Summer Family Project, their trip to Utah ended up not at Moab’s tourist sites, but at a boarding school 20 miles to the east. And their activities didn’t include water sports or geological wonders, but construction, painting, picking crops and cleaning up debris at DayStar Adventist Academy.

From June 17 through 27, 36 participants, ranging in age from six to 60, donated their time and energy to help build a new cafeteria for the school.

This project, set near the dramatic rock formations of Castle Valley, helped provide a much-needed new cafeteria for the campus. Many of DayStar’s students offset their tuition by working in the school’s gardens, greenhouses and farm. The new cafeteria will be used to process much of the produce from these crops before it is sold. The structure will not only provide the school with necessary food service facilities, but it will also hold conferences and retreats, making it possible for the academy to expand existing programs.

The cafeteria project was a joint collaboration between Adventist-Laymen’s Services and Industries, which provided much of the needed funding, and Maranatha Volunteers International, which provided volunteer labor.

“[This project] provided not only help for the site project, but it also gave families an opportunity to serve without having to go overseas and small children a chance to make a difference,” says Steve Case, president of Piece of the Pie Ministries and the coordinator for this project.

Maranatha developed the Family Project to make it possible for individuals of every age to participate in mission projects. Along with the more complicated tasks, coordinators include jobs that children can handle. This year, Amy Saxton, who served as the children’s ministry leader, helped the smaller children prepare crafts and handmade cards to hand out at a convalescent hospital. Older children worked half days, helping with drywall, painting, kitchen duties, cleaning or picking apricots. They even washed Castle Valley's red dirt off cars.

Projects are scheduled in both North America and overseas. Last Christmas, a Family Project was held in the Dominican Republic. More than 80 people joined in constructing a school. However, for families who prefer to stay close to home, Family Projects based in North America are a convenient alternative.

John and Geneva Spence drove 1,800 miles roundtrip from Tennessee with their daughter, Gianna. When Geneva first broached the idea of going on a mission project, John wasn’t too keen on the idea.

“I actually wasn’t interested at all,” says John. But he reluctantly agreed to go. “Of course, when I got there, I enjoyed it a whole lot. We got an opportunity to meet up with Christian families and have worship and work together. That was a neat experience. I feel that it’s a real blessing that Maranatha can do what they do.”

This winter, Maranatha is holding the 2004 Christmas Family Project in Peru. Everyone is invited to participate—including individuals. For more information, visit Maranatha’s website at www.maranatha.org.