NATCHEZ — As evening set in Friday, a group of teens from Jefferson Street Methodist Church unloaded lawn mowers and weed trimmers from trucks parked at the Watkins Street Cemetery.

As part of a week-long project full of manual labor, the group — whose ages range from 13 to 18 — volunteered to help with the cemetery’s upkeep.

Another set of teens from the church’s youth group set out for the Sunshine Children’s Center — a place for abused or neglected children — where they would interact with the children there, as well as do chores like folding clothes.

“People know (we’re Christians) by the amount of work we do,” said Russell Goodman, 18. “Nobody is saying it’s too hard, and it makes (the people we’re helping) happy. They can see God in our eyes.”

Youth group intern Joanna David, 21, led the group’s activities throughout the week, which included contests for things like collecting canned items and gathering supplies for senior citizens in the community.

“One of my favorite quotes is, ‘Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words,’” David said.

But the week wasn’t just about helping others; the majority of the group described the experience as “eye-opening.”

“Helping others shows you how much you take for granted,” Goodman said. “It’s good for the heart and soul, and helping others who can’t do (things for themselves) feels good.”

In the midst of volunteering, the group also practices performing random acts of kindness in every day activities.

“You let someone skip in front of you in line, or order before you,” said Stuart Benoit, 17.

Earlier in the week, the volunteers worked at an elderly lady’s house.

“We’ve learned so much,” David said. “We sat in her floor and she told us how faithful she was in God.

“She called us angels and said we were sent to help her.”

Dorothy Sanders, 67, is a member of the Worthy Women of Watkins Street, a non-profit organization formed in 2005 that aims to keep the cemetery groomed. Sanders said the youth group’s volunteer efforts have helped her a great deal.

“(Them helping) means there’s less that I’m doing right now,” she said Friday, standing in the cemetery.

After working to groom the cemetery Mondays through Fridays — or sometimes Mondays through Saturdays — having outside help is very much appreciated, Sanders said.

“It means a lot that they’re doing community service,” she said.

Youth Director Judge John Hudson said the teenagers giving to others also means giving of themselves.

“They’re full of joy, even when they’re sweaty and dirty,” he said. “It’s an opportunity to be God’s hands and feet in the world, and that’s a pretty big privilege.”