Finished projects

When working RVICS projects at the various camps, churches etc, there are times we do not see the completed product. Last week the men saw the completion of the siding on the café and the roof on the shelter for the pump. After these things were done, one group of men started working on replacing the soffit for the bathhouse in the RV park. Don and a couple of guys started work on an old pontoon boat. The goal was to replace the decking. However, before it got that far, they found that it had holes in the tubes and that it wasn’t actually sea worthy and the idea was scrapped. Now, they are building swing sets to sit around the camp.

Since the weather improved (got warmer) the women could now start painting. Last week, we painted doors and cabins. With 2 groups of cabins completed we have moved on to the last ones. They are proving to a little more difficult and are taking longer. When these are done, there is more painting awaiting us.

On Friday, we experienced a special day. Every year in January they have an RVICS reunion of all the RVICS people in Florida (working different projects in the area and retired RVICS in that are close). This is the first one that we have had the privilege to attend. Lake Aurora Camp was the location this year and since our group is here we acted as hosts. Don gave the devotional for the occasion. It was great seeing people that we have worked with the past 3 years plus putting faces to name’s of people that we have heard about. It will definitely be a highlight of this month here.

It is hard for us to believe but there are only 6 more working days left. We are looking forward to getting back to work tomorrow.

A Week of Contrasts

Week one at Lake Aurora is now history. It was a week of contrasts. On Monday we piled on multiple layers of clothing to keep warm working on our various projects. By the time Saturday rolled around we were in "summer" type attire. We much prefer the more summer type temps.

As you can see by the picture above, the men did finish the fence work that they were working on at the Gold N Bough Cafe (breakfast & lunch only) that the camp runs on their property. A couple of men are still putting on siding on one side of the building.

Three of the men have moved on to other work. We are surrounded by orange groves (and juicing factories). There are numerous citrus trees on the property too that help supplement the income of the camp. When the weather turns extremely cold, water is pumped onto the trees to keep them from freezing. We were told that a single pump can pump up a million gallons of water in a day! The picture above is the diesel pump on this property (huge thing). The shelter that is built over it needs extensive repairs with the rafters etc. This isn't fun work but is necessary. Don will be busy for a few days working on this.

Sharon and the ladies pulled multipe staples from walls, tables etc around the property last week. Before that, we sewed potholders for the kitchen out of towels. This saved the camp many dollars. Do you know how much a single potholder costs ----$9!! Tomorrow, we will once again dig out the paint brushes and begin painting.

What will this week bring? We are excited to find out what the Lord has in store for us.

Beginning 2010 Project

January 6, 2010, found us heading south from the snow & cold in Indiana to the sunny, warm environment of Florida. As it turned out, the cold and nasty weather followed us south (no sun and no warmth). God was gracious to us in giving us safe travel (in some cases) in unsafe conditions. However, it is good to be here as we begin season #4 with RVICS and our 13th project.

It is hard to believe that in our 3 years of retirement that a year of it has been spent in the RV and working. This month finds us in Lake Wales, Florida, at Lake Aurora Christian Camp & Retreat Center. Orange trees are all around with a few lemon and grapefruit trees. What a treat to have picked fruit straight from the tree. It is delicious!!

RVICS sent 6 couples to work here this month but 1 couple is arriving late because of illness. Hopefully, they will be able to join us in a couple of weeks. We are all northerners in the group----Michigan, Pennsylvania, New York and, of course, Indiana with 2 of the couples new to us. What fun to meet, work with and get to know fellow Christians. There is, also, another organization here working, as well as, 3 other independent missionaries. They are, also, doing service work for the camp.

There is fence work to be done. The last couple of days Don and the men have been moving and rebuilding a fence. The holes are a little easier to dig than the ones that he dug in Wisconsin this fall. Sharon and the ladies worked in the chapel removing staples---yes, staples---the first day. Tuesday, we all got our sewing machines out to make potholders out of “orphan” towels left behind by campers. That was fun but we had lots of broken needles!

Today, we begin anew with more on the list to do. We will fill you in later on the rest of the week.