UPPER TOWNSHIP — When students at Sugar Creek Christian Academy return to school this fall, they will find a renovated school building, complete with updated restrooms, a new gymnasium floor, and, while they are not likely to actually see it, a new roof over their heads, too.

The refurbishments come compliments of the group Macedonia Missionary Service, an organization that provides help to missionaries around the globe and sometimes right here at home.

Over the next two weeks, volunteer from the Baptist association will make improvements to the school. Some will go on to other projects in this country and abroad to aid those who are spreading the gospel.

“We come from Florida, Kentucky, California, Texas,” MMS member Paul Lamb said. “We do several projects a year and we’re pleased to help in any way we can.”

That help, Sugar Creek Christian Academy Principal and Sugar Creek Baptist Church pastor, the Rev. Mike Long said, is priceless.

“This is saving us thousands upon thousands of dollars,” Long said. “We could not have done this without them.”

Long pointed out that many of the volunteers are professionals — the electrician spearheading a new heating, ventilation and air conditioning system in the gym, for instance, is a master electrician.

Instead of making money for himself, this MMS member is donating his time to help the school. Members of Sugar Creek will join with MMS members over the next two weeks to complete the list of projects.

And the work Saturday was performed at a glaring disadvantage: The storm that blew through Lawrence County Friday left the school without electricity. But the volunteers soldiered on with gas powered generators.