The Central Texas Conference Youth Mission has been helping people since 1994.

Each summer, youth groups from Methodist Churches in Texas travel to help those less fortunate and community groups that need help rebuilding and repairing upgrades on homes and structures. More than 1,800 from the CTCYM are currently working throughout Louisiana and Southern Texas.

Seventy of those, including 50 youth, are working around Abbeville this week at seven sites.

The Methodist youth, from Arlington, Texas; Round Rock, Texas and Temple, Texas, are being hosted by Abbeville United Methodist Church and housed by First Baptist Church at its Living Center.

The youth are enjoying their first trip to Abbeville.

“I really like it,” said Joshua Sloan, 16, who is working on repairs to Our Lady of the Bayou Covenant. “The people here are really nice.”

As for the weather?

“It’s not too hot,” Sloan said. “It’s a little more humid than we’re used to. But it’s not too bad.”

The workers are not complaining. They understand the importance of what they are doing.

“We’re doing God’s work,” said Connor Przybylski, 16, of Temple. “He’s working through us.

“It really puts perspective on my own life.”

Przybylski is among the youth who are helping clean up the gym at Herod Village. They are also helping feed lunch to some of the children taking part in a program next door to the gym. Pryzbylski said he is enjoying his time.

“I really like doing this,” he said. “It’s a good place, and the kids are fun.

“We’re having a blast.

One of the sites is located on Guegnon Street, where members of the group are putting in a wheelchair ramp. The venture is well worth it, according to Lauren Schechter, who celebrated her 18th birthday on Wednesday.

“I’ve spent my last six birthdays doing this,” she said. “My friends are always upset with me, because I am gone on my birthday.

“But it is worth it because this is not an experience you can have all of the time and it’s a good use of my time.”

Jessica Hubble, 14, who is also from Arlington and working on Guegnon Street, agreed.

“It feels really good,” Hubble said. “It’s something I love to do. I did my first one last year and fell in love with it.

“It’s something I plan on doing the rest of my life.”