November RVICS Project - Completed

Our tools have once again been put back in their storage place. Yesterday after devotions, we pulled out of Shocco Springs. As with every project that we have done we take many memories with us. The individuals that represent RVICS become very good friends that will last a lifetime. We are from different states, backgrounds and abilities. However, God always puts together the people that have the right talents for each project. Sometimes, we will meet these individuals again on another project but we will never be the same group again.

It is good to get to know and work with the different individuals that are associated with the organization that we are helping. This project was no exception and Pam stands out in our minds. Daily she works in the laundry. One day, she stopped us in our folding of towels etc. and told us she wanted to tell us something. She stated that she loved having us around and loved to listen as we talked about our travels and lives “back home”. She was traveling with us through our conversation. We are so fortunate to be able to do what we do. We will never forget Pam either. It gave us a whole new prospective of what goes on to make us all comfortable.

Our RV is now in storage in Georgia awaiting our next RVICS project in February. We are already looking forward to that time when we get back in the truck and head out again! However, first things first and it is Christmastime again!!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is now past. Is that possible? A listing of all that we have to be thankful for would be too long to include here. God is so good to us. However, we were very thankful to have been able to travel to Georgia over the long weekend and visit with Kim, Luke and Hannah. We feasted on turkey etc and were able to join the crowds shopping on Friday. What fun we had!!

On Tuesday we were invited to the staff celebration of Thanksgiving with a carry in for lunch. It is good to meet the dedicated people that make this conference center work. We talked and shared in our common ground in Christ. As a part of our work day on Wednesday, the gals traveled to The Red Barn (a local relief kitchen) and served lunch. Wednesday evening found all of us around a campfire roasting hot dogs and fixing s’mores. We definitely weren’t in Indiana that far into November!

Today begins week no. 3 on our project here in Shocco Springs. Last week the men were continuing their work on the 6 guest rooms of one of the lodges. Today, they began the process of laying the carpet in the rooms. The ladies were found in the dining hall cleaning. At some point, we are going to help with the decorating for the Christmas season.

Every week that we spend with RVICS we are building memories (as you can see from above) as well as friendships. Thank you for remembering us in your prayers as we continue with this work.

Fall in Alabama

Have we finished a week of work here at Shocco Springs? It seems impossible but the calendar tells us otherwise. The time has flown.

There are multiple “motels” here for the guests that come here for conferences and the different camps that they have available. The men have spent their time this week renovating a few of the rooms in the building called the Bagley Center. Removing fixtures from the rooms, spackling the holes and painting the walls, were some of the things accomplished this week. When they finish the painting next week they will be ready to hang lights and other items in the rooms. We have seen some of the completed rooms and they are extremely nice.

The ladies were well experienced in their duties for the week. This place goes through an unbelievable amount of bedding and towels etc---and this is the off season. Deborah and Pam are responsible for the whole job. It was great fun helping them with this never ending task. Folding the laundry which is just one of their job assignments and we made it into a great time of talking and laughter.

Autumn is in full “bloom” around here. The afternoons found a couple of ladies outside enjoying the beauty before the leaves begin to fall. The picture above is the entrance. The view from our window is of a lake with mirror reflection of all the trees surrounding it.

The volunteers keep a 4 day work schedule. Fridays are called Tour Day. Today was a totally different “tour”. We were invited to a church just over the Alabama/Georgia border by friends of the Holloways. Southern hospitality was very evident!! We made a presentation of what RVICS is all about to the group in the church known as Keen Agers. They then served a Thanksgiving dinner. It was great!!

Thanksgiving is coming and this will be a shortened work week here. The staff have the time off to be with their families. Since we are close (relative to the distance from Hartford City to Warner-Robins, Georgia) we are going to spend a few days with Kim, Luke & Hannah. Hopefully, Chris will be able to have some turkey wherever he is stationed on his deployment.

Thank you for your thoughts and prayers that continue to follow us!!

"For the Beauty of the Earth"

I wish that you could all join me right now. However, those who are late risers would frown at that statement if they looked at the time this was posted. Those late risers would miss sitting out in a lawn chair, under the pine trees and watching the sun come up over a lake with a background of crystal blue sky and vibrant colored leaves. BEAUTIFUL!! This is probably the peak of the beauty for their fall colors.

No we are not still in Indiana (remember it is November and I am outside). We arrived at Shocco Springs Conference Center (near Talladega, Alabama) less than 24 hours ago and already love it hear. This is a beautiful area. This is the conference center for all of of Alabama for the Southern Baptist church. We are just getting acquainted with the grounds but it is very large and can accommodate large groups of people.

For this RVICS project there are a total of 4 couples. One of the couples is from Hartford City and very much responsible for us joining this organization, Larry & Gaylene Holloway. We are getting to know the other 2 couples and know that we are going to enjoy getting to know them as well. We know that the men will be renovating some of the "motel" rooms and the ladies will be doing a variety of miscellany jobs.

Thank you for joining us in prayer for safety as we work. A couple of the men are already battling nagging problems that they hope will not hinder their work. We look forward to keeping you updated the next few weeks that we will be here.

A Ride Down Memory Lane

The date was July 27, 1970 and the temperature that day in South Central Georgia was in the upper 90s with equivalent humidity. Sharon and I were just married the previous Saturday and we were on our honeymoon on the way to Florida. The little Opal we drove had no air conditioning, so we were tired and ready for a night's rest. We pulled off I-75 just south of Atlanta to a motel in Jackson, Georgia. (The only one in town) The name of the motel was "The Heart of Jackson". It had a large heart over the roof with an arrow through it. This is the place - - I knew we should stop!

I untangled myself from the Opal and went in to get a room. As I went to the desk to check in I noticed some well dressed folks sitting in the lobby. As I was filling out the register, these folks made a semi-circle behind me. Now as some of our close friends know , I have strong resevations about "small southern scary towns". So now what? One of the gentlemen introduced himself as the local banker and he was spesking on behalf of the local Professional Business Women (who were present) and they would like for us to be their guest for the evening. They were having a "Stay and See Georgia" contest. Of course, I responded, "we would be honored to be your guests."

That evening those good folks treated us to some good southern food at a Bar-B-Q picnic. Then one of the ladies ( a retired school teacher) took us to her home which was a large pre-civil war house. It was such a treat to tour her home.

The next day she and a freind took us to a garment factory, a luggage factory and tried to visit the new prison that had just opened. "I'm sorry, but you can't visit here," was the guard's reply. We silently were thankful, whew! They then took us to a roadside fruit market and treated us to some very large and sweet peaches. We were then on our way to Florida. For a few years we recieved Christmas Greetings from the dear lady. We reasoned she passed into glory when they stopped.

Well, that trip was 37 years ago. While visiting our daughter this fall in Macon, Georgia, we saw the sign on I-75 "Jackson" next exit. We couldn't resist to take a short trip to see what it would be like. It had indeed changed.

From what we could tell, a housing development was in the place of "The Heart Of Jackson" Motel. There were weeds and overgrowth where the garment factory stood. The building had turned to rust and the fence was in disrepair. I suppose garments are made in China or some other part of the world now. The benches were still around the courthouse, but no one was sitting on them as they were 37 years ago. There was a "Burger King", McDonalds, etc., along the highway. - - No motels. I saw a couple homes were flying the Confederate Flag. And there was a billboard advertising for recruits to join the "Sons of Confederate Veterans". We didn't see any fruit stands.

While some changes are good - - I found none here. The sleepy freindly little town had digressed into a couple gas stations, burger joints, and a few junk cars.

While our lives too have changed, our attempt has been to stay progressive and positive. We are thankful for a God who may deal with His creation differently at different times, but never changes His ultimate purpose for us. He is the same today and forever.

In a couple weeks we will be heading for our second RVICS project this season. We are going to a Christian Conference Ground near Talladega, AL. We again covet your prayers for safety while we travel and work.

I'll be looking for those fruit stands.

Farewell to Youth Haven Ranch

On September 7 we entered Youth Haven Ranch, Rives Junction, Michigan, with excitement and, as always, all too soon it is time to say goodbye. This month flew by quickly. We will never forget the beauty of this place and the ministry that is being done. It was so good every weekend to see the children come (free of charge) and be free of their burdens that they carry at home. This is an excellent ministry and very much needed in the world that we live in today. Hopefully, in some small way we have made this a better place for this ministry to children.

Also, we will never forget the people that we worked side by side with for the past month. It was a sad time as both the people that we worked with at the camp and those we worked with from RVICS said our last goodbyes and the last hugs were given and the last wave goodbye given. However, we will never forget the friendships that we have made and the common bond of Christian faith that holds us together. Without those "back home" we couldn't do this. Thank you all for the prayers, e-mails etc that you have given for us.

During the month of October we will be visiting with family and friends. Then, there are always the list of things to do at home that never seems to end. However, when the first week of November comes rolling around we will once again hook the truck to the 5th wheel and with excitement head for our next project.

Can We Be This Close to Going Home?

Week #3 of this project has been completed. Time is moving by very quickly. This past week was very much like the 2 weeks that came before. Don and the men painted the observatory and Sharon worked cleaning etc. with the ladies. This coming weekend the donors that keep this ranch going are gathering for their annual banquet. Everything has to be “ship shape”. We have been invited to attend but all of the RVICS volunteers will be back to their hometowns by that time.

We have continued to have visitors while we are here. One day another RVICS couple stopped by that, also, lives in Michigan. We will be meeting them again in November on a project in Alabama. Today, friends of our leaders came by for a visit. This is a good way to see how we, as RVICS couples, live and the type of jobs that we do. Maybe they will be joining us on a project themselves?

Volunteers are always needed as RVICS has to turn down many applications that they receive every year do due lack of volunteers that are willing to go. We find the rewards are well worth the aching muscles etc. that we might have. You can’t buy the satisfaction that we find in helping others make their ministries better.

On Thursday after we finish the project around noon, we will once again hook the truck to the 5th wheel and head south to Hartford City. Thank you for supporting us with prayer during this past month.

RVICS-ers

These are the members of our group that we have been enjoying Christian fellowship and work jobs. Ron & Rose and Willy & Sharon are all natives of Michigan. Thank you for praying for all of us.

We are only on our third project for the RVICS group. However, we are continually meeting people we have already worked with and new people. Last weekend, as you will recall, we joined another group of RVICS that were working about an hour away. This weekend we received a phone call from the couple that were assigned as our leaders for us this month but had to pull out for health reasons. We had worked with them in Texas last spring. How much fun to spend the day with them! Another RVICS couple that actually live about 10 miles away joined us, as well as, a couple that retired from RVICS about 7 years ago. RVICS is big on ice cream and we ended our time together at a local ice cream parlor---you can’t beat that!!

The camp requires many volunteers that give many hours. This weekend a men’s group from a church in Lansing have been here since Friday. It has been a bee hive of activity as we see maybe a half dozen projects being done. Yesterday afternoon, a group of girls with their counselor paid us a visit to express thanks for the work that we were doing. These children are why the volunteers come and give of their time and money.

Tomorrow morning we will begin the last half of our month assignment here. That doesn’t seem possible. Once again we will hit it hard or the kids.

Yes, we are still around

It is fall. In the last blog I was wanting earmuffs. We no longer need them. The beauty that God has provided for this season is busting forth. The crystal clear blue skies contrasting with the green grass with heavy dew is so beautiful. Added to all of this are the leaves that are changing color (it seems) before our very eyes. No picture can compare to the real things. This camp has an abundance of deer that make an appearance every morning and evening. One early morning Sharon met a skunk on the trail but apparently it was a friendly one. We have heard that there is a family of 20 turkeys but we have yet to see them.

There are few domesticated animals on the grounds also. The most fun are the goats and a donkey named Hershey. About a year ago Hershey arrived and the 3 resident goats gave him no peace and continually chased him. The goats didn’t realize that the donkey would grow. Now the goats have no peace with the donkey chasing them to the top of stairs on the side of the barn. A guy in our group says that Hershey is lonely.

On many RVICS projects every week is different. This project is holding to that. The men have been doing some painting. They are re-doing a shed for a new chicken coop. The ladies have done some additional cleaning and weeding of the landscaping around the buildings. The ladies are, also, involved in re-packing backpacks with school goodies for children 1-2 grades. They are re-packed so that each child finds similar items. Everything is donated and must be new---nothing second hand. When each child leaves the camp, they take a new pack with them. We have not seen them but they say the children are so excited. They will now “fit” is and have nice things too.

On projects we truly become a community. Each of the 3 couples are from different backgrounds but have the common bond in Jesus. Part of want we do is have devotions every morning with each member of the group leading this on their assigned day. One night of the week, we have group Bible study lead by someone from the ministry that we are volunteering for. One night we have a game/social night. It was great to have the other couples over to our “home” for a meal last night sharing family pictures, as well as, pictures from the other projects that each of us have participated.

Since we have 4 day work weeks tomorrow is a day off. It will be good to relax and visit the surrounding area. However, we will be excited to have Monday morning come around again to begin it all over again!

Where's my earmuffs?

Yes, it was definitely fall in Michigan this morning. When I went for my early morning walk today, earmuffs would have been nice. I did pack the warmer jacket and gloves. It was beautiful with the clear, blue skies and the sun shining on the frost that was on the ground. There is beginning to be a hint of red on some of the maples.

This camp is ideal for bringing the disadvantaged kids from the inner city with many family problems. It definitely shows the children a more peaceful, relaxed lifestyle. There is a permanent staff here year around and, in the summer, they double that number that work directly with the kids. Each child is assigned a staff member that remains with them the whole time that they are here. This helps them to get to know one another and gives them some stability while here. We heard the story of one child who was dropped off and no one came to pick him up.

We have met Norm. He is an impressive guy in his early 30’s who heads all maintenance at the camp. The other day we heard his story. The age limit is 7 years old to attend this camp. He wanted to come so badly that he convinced his mother to lie about his age to let him attend. He was only 6 at the time. What a success story!

We continue working on the projects as the director assigns them. We have a good crew to work with and things are getting done. It gives us great satisfaction to see these things to completion.

Thanks once again for praying.

Feeling at Home in Michigan

Week #1 is now history on this project at Youth Haven Ranch. As we do more and more projects for RVICS, we find that all of them are different and unique as are the ministries. This has been a “lighter” work load (to this point) than we are accustomed.

The ladies have done deep cleaning for most of the week. The hardest project for the men has been repairing a garage door—which they have now finished. Next week will bring out the paint brushes. Also, there are many donated back packs here that need to be filled with toys. These will need to be done while we are here.

We basically had a one day disruption to our work on Wednesday. A new, half hour TV program for Christian TV called Significant Living is being produced at this time. Significant Living will highlight retirees who are making a difference after retirement from their full time occupations. RVICS was selected for one of the programs and, more specially, they came and spent Wednesday with our group interviewing and videoing our work. It was very interesting but, from the groups’ stand point, a very long day. TV programming is not glamorous! The program for RVICS will not air until January.

RVICS men work 21 hours per week and the women work 12 hour per week. Fridays are “tour day”. Today was special. There is another project for RVICS nearby. We spent the day with this group of 5 couples. One of the couples we had done a previous project in Texas. As we meet more and more people doing projects, it is great to see friends again. Our tour today was to the Jiffy Mix factory and Thetford factory. We left the Jiffy Mix factory with samples of food. Thetford makes most of the products used in the waste tanks of the RVs. Samples from them were very welcome also.

Thanks again for your prayers.

Now, We are being useful

As we begin our 3rd project with RVICS, we are once again learning new skills, or, rather, using ones that we already have acquired. In Sharon's case, all of those household chores that she has perfected over the years came in handy in the cleaning and preparation of dorm rooms. In Don's case, he was on his hands and knees scraping drywall mud and glue from new concert floor that will be sealed by the same men tomorrow. He now has a wire brush with no bristles (like the top of his head)!

As we work and meet with the staff, we are learning more daily about the great ministry of this camp. The kids that come here find this to be an oasis from the everyday lives that we can't even imagine.

Thank you for your continuing prayers. The mother of our project leader is near death. Please pray for Wilson & Sharon.

We are here!!

We have arrived in Michigan safely. The rains followed us from Indiana but didn't cause problems with traveling. This is a beautiful area and the view from our front and back window is of meadows with pine and hardwood trees. In fact, the leaves on one of the trees is beginning to show signs of red.

Our leaders Willy and Sharon are here and we are waiting for the last couple of our group to pull in today. We have met some of the people in the camp. It will be fun working with this group during the month of September. Kids arrived for the weekend last night. The children's chapel is directly behind us and we could hear them singing etc. It was great. This is not a resident camp and, therefore, the kids will be here only on the weekends. The ones attending are from disadvantaged families.

Come Monday morning we are looking forward to getting to work. As yet, we don't know the scope of what we will be doing. None the less, we are looking forward to doing whatever/wherever we can.

Thanks for your prayers during this time.

It is time for us to begin work on another *RVICS (Roving Volunteers In Christ’s Service) project. We are leaving Friday, September 7 for a project at Youth Haven Ranch near Jackson, MI. We would covet your prayers regarding safety while we travel, safety on the project, relationships with the other members and camp directors. Also, pray that we would open our lives for whatever area of work and ministry that the Lord has for us. Please keep us in mind as we travel throughout this fall and winter.

Our itinerary for this season:
September: Youth Haven Ranch, Jackson MI
November: Christian Conference Camp, Shocco Springs, Talladega, AL
February: Lake Swan Camp, Melrose, FL
March: Camp Tracey, Glen St. Mary, FL

Thank You,
Don & Sharon

*RVICS are retired Christian couples living in Recreational Vehicles who are serving the Lord through an organized work ministry. We are basically a maintenance and service organization, but also do small construction projects. For additional information on RVICS go to www.rvics.com or contact Don & Sharon Snow.