A confirmation trip to Iowa has proven particularly timely for the First United Methodist teens, who will travel to flood-ravaged Cedar Rapids in August to assist with repair efforts.

“We had planned to go quite awhile ago to help with a soup kitchen, a painting project and some other things,” the Rev. Pat Toschak said. “But we’ve changed our plans a bit to be open to what the needs of the community are.”

Cedar Rapids was one of dozens of Iowa cities devastated by mid-June flooding, which led to thousands of evacuations, mud-soaked homes and utility interruptions.

The city — population: 25,000 — is still mending as people continue to retrieve and clean residences and restore public areas, work that may be part of the young group’s mission trip.

“I give everyone a rubber band to remind us all that we need to stay flexible with each other, with God’s plan for us and with the needs we see around us,” Toschak said.

And the students will enter with a bit of experience on hand.

Tyler Stevens, 14, and Jacob Conner, 13, were part of Austin’s flood efforts around the same time, helping sandbag neighboring homes in danger of rising waters.

“This past flood, I went down and help with the neighbors,” Conner said. “It was fun because I got to see a friend that I usually don’t get to see during the summer. And it felt really good to help too.”

The group of 11, plus four adults, will leave on the six-day trip Aug. 10; they’ll stay at a United Methodist Church camp in Monticello, Iowa. Since the flood events, the church has also supplied hundreds of flood buckets containing cleaning supplies to regional offices for distribution.

Toschak said this is the second trip taken that’s coincided with a natural disaster. Several years ago, she took a group to North Dakota after a large flood, and says their work there may mirror upcoming activities in Iowa.

The students chose the destination late last fall because it fell on a time frame that suited all group members. Their options included a reservation in South Dakota, Rockford, Ill., or another Iowa city.

Stevens is happy with their pick.

“I want to do some work with the flood, and I have friends down there,” he said.

Both Stevens and Conner have volunteered for other efforts, including Feed My Starving Children. The organization distributes hand-packed meals for severely malnourished children across 55 countries.

According to Toschak, the mission’s trip fulfills two confirmation requirements, that of service and witness.

Students also work with mentors, attend classes and take sermon notes during services. They graduate in October.