Are we ready for the Goodbyes?

It is unbelievable that the end of our RVICS project is just 3 days away. This has been a wonderful team and hosts!! We can't say enough about our time here. Even the weather has been really, really nice.

This past week the men did FINISH the very long ceiling (2 layers). The ladies listened for the celebration but, apparently, there was no time as they hurried onto other things on their "to do" list. That list included laying carpet and trim (whole room), building a platform for the choir director, squaring the interior door walls, installing weather stripping on outside doors, building a temporary wall, mending a fence, building a box for keys, more electrical work, etc----YES, they did it all this past week!!

Painting (the above room), sorting children's materials, stuffing "envelops", sorting clothing at the crisis pregnancy center and volunteering at a local elementary school were on the list of the ladies' accomplishments for the week.

Having worked hard all week, we had to play hard too. One evening we had a campfire and carry in with invited guests. Another evening, we, once again, had a campfire but with ice cream and a guest. Our time socializing as a group is always a special time. However, this time, we have had the privilege of sharing our time with many from the church. For example, one of the church members fixed an entire lunch for us. Another lady, brought each of the ladies a potted plant. These are very special people and ALL of us were very appreciative. AND, it isn't over because the church is fixing lunch for us tomorrow.

Whenever we are ministering at a location, it is good to see the camp, church etc in use. We do that here by attending the Sunday School and worship services. Friday evening, the church hosted something they called "Slime Time". The guests were mostly children of the community and it was packed. Games, food and, of course, candy were the main attractions. It required many hours of preparation. In fact, some of the RVICS group volunteered to help but the church members were enough that we weren't needed. It was a great night for everyone.

Come Tuesday afternoon, the first couple of our team will pull out for their home and then the rest of us will follow the next day for home and other RVICS projects. Goodbyes are the hard part of what we do. But, we have wonderful memories and friendships that will last a lifetime. Come January, we will start the process all over again-----------

Our Prayers Have Been Answered!

Yes, we are now whole. The last couple who has been constantly in our prayers arrived safely Thursday evening. We are so glad they have now joined our team! This is an added blessing for all of us.

What a week of work and, yes, play. Believe it or not, the very looooong ceiling the men have been laboring over is getting closer to the end! All are very thankful that there might be a end time for this job and there just might be some celebrating. Shoulders, arms, backs etc are complaining on all of them! Plus, they worked on it a few 90+ degrees days. A few of them have done some other odd jobs the past few days, such as installing a shelf and doing electrical jobs. The list is still long of our jobs too.

The women aren't bored with their work. Some days, they have been doing multiple tasks. Painting, office work, cleaning containers, cleaning sanctuary chairs, attaching ribbons to tags (for balloons) categorizing and sorting library books, etc were many of the jobs performed this week. It is exciting to help with some of the ministries of the church.

Once again, we were able to visit a home and fellowship with one another and a couple of the pastors. This is the place people can really get to know one another. Doughnuts is another avenue to use. A traditional get together for RVICS is something we call "Pop on the Porch". Yesterday, we had doughnuts to go with the pop. Oh, the tales we have heard at Pop on the Porch.

It just doesn't seem possible that two of our weeks are now in the past tense. There is only about a week and a half left here. However, we are looking forward to that time as well.

Yes, we are having fun!!

As I begin so many of my first blogs, we have begun! This has been a very productive week of worship, work and play.

The week began with worship with the members of our hosts---Dothan Community Church. There is no way a visitor can leave and not feel the genuine love and welcome of these wonderful people. This is our second work trip and we are enjoying our time here as much as the first time.

Work is what brought us to this location and work we did. It was a very hard but rewarding week for the men. It will be mostly (if not all) ceiling work for them. They finished wiring and put in insulation. Now, the 12 foot sections of dry wall are being put in. The above picture is of their survival of another work day. I say survival because we are the "babies" of this group! It is very difficulty work for us retirees! The women spent most of their time at the local crisis pregnancy center stuffing envelops and cleaning baby bottles (used for donations). Also, we did some sorting and cleaning at the church.

Through all the week, we balanced our time with play. The Lovelands (church members) hosted a meal one evening at their lovely home. Another evening, gathered to talk and play games. To finish the week, we went to a botanical garden (yes, from a Hoosier there is such a thing in the middle of October). The flowers were still beautiful and the butterflies were plentiful. On Saturday, Don and I finished our week by going to the showing of Courageous! A must for everyone to see no matter if you are grandparents at this stage in life.

This coming week we will doing much the same type work but the pictures should look a little different---progress!! Also, we are continuing to pray for our missing couple that they might finally be able to leave their Pennsylvania home and head south to join their group.

Another Stop for RVICS

Whew----The wheels have now stopped turning again and we have landed in Dothan, Alabama, at Dothan Community Church for the month of October. After we left Michindoh in Michigan and a couple of days at home (getting caught up with life), we hit the road for a couple of days and are now ready to begin work the first thing tomorrow morning at this location.

This has become one of our favorite stops. RVICS was in on the very beginning of a children's addition onto the church a few years ago. Work is only done when the funds are available. Much of the work has been done by volunteers of all ages. When we come through, it is so good to see the progress that is being made on the building. Last spring, we stopped and found that parts have been completed and children are enjoying. It is beautiful! Today, our group, also, enjoyed one of the new rooms. When we leave, the church will be closer to utilizing this facility than when we came.

So far, we have 5 team members from Pennsylvania, Michigan and Indiana. One couple remains to join us in a week. Our prayer is that they will arrive next week. Then, we will be complete.

With a long list of items to complete, we pray that this will be a very productive month.

Back in Hartford City

Yes, the September 2011 project is now over. That just doesn't seem possible. We left feeling sad in many ways. It is always hard to say good-bye to new friends. Once again, we had not worked with any of our co-workers previously. Also, it was sad because we had not completed any of the jobs we were assigned to do. The building the ladies was painting still has painting to be done (too many morning rains). The house, which shows major work done, still has some work to be done before the staff person is able to move back in. The dry wall project in the cabin wasn't totally finished either (too damp for the mudd to dry). Michindoh has many, many volunteers but it is becoming fall/winter in Michigan and they are becoming fewer. We know that the work will be completed in God's time.

Yesterday, we arrived back home. After some quick chores etc., we will once again hook up the truck to the 5th wheel and head out on Monday morning. We have many favorite places to work and we are headed to one on them for the month of October. We will be leading in the month of October at Dothan Community Church, Dothan, Alabama. It is exciting to see what God will have in store for our team of six couples.

Please continue to pray for our group as we all travel and work at this new location.

Still Working and Having Fun

Our time at Michindoh is quickly coming to a close. We are definitely seeing progress as we finished our third week of work but there is much more Rains have definitely slowed some of our outside work. However, there was always “Plan B” when that happens.

The men about have the outside of the house completed. This past week the inside was finished and is now ready for painting (inside work!) and just basic putting things back together. The ladies are still working on the outside of the Calet that they are painting. This week, there was only 1 day that we were able to paint outside. Will we get it done? We did do all of the painting on the siding the men put on the outside of their house and that is done.

It definitely wasn’t all work and no play for us. For our social on Tuesday evening, we joined another RVICS group at a central location for food (ice cream!), fun and catching up. There were 28 of us there and it was great seeing many that we have worked with previously and meeting a couple of other couples that we had only known by name. Also, 5 other RVICS friends stopped by the conference center for a visit. The friendships that we are developing by working and living side by side will last a life time!

Fall is closing in and many of the other volunteers have left for warmer climates. There is just a hint of color but in a couple of weeks it will be blazing with color (after we leave). Deer, turkey and birds are just some of the animals that we run across when we bike or walk.

Before it is time to pack up and leave, we look forward to 4 more days of work and, hopefully, completion of some of the work we have begun.

The beginning of fall---------

Yes, the calendar and, yes, the temps and weather are beginning to look and feel like fall is just around the corner. However, here at Michindoh, summer is not wanting to take a back seat just yet. Don & I walked this evening and found the water slide being heavily used by the guests. We, also, saw 6th graders in the lake water this week with the temps in the mid-50's!! When asked, about it being cold, they said the water was fine, but they didn't look too warm when they came out of the water. Am I getting old since I am thinking like this???

All of this is to say, these conference grounds are being used and enjoyed by the "campers" here. Michindoh is used every day of the week, weekends and in all seasons. For example, this week we had "senior citizens" and 6th grade students here all week at the same time. Sixth graders are here every week for the week for outdoor school. Other members of our team are very familiar with this but not us Hoosiers. Some way or another, the public schools send them here for the week and they receive school credit. It is fun to see their enthusiasm for everything new etc.

No job was finished this week but will continue into the coming week. We are now a team strong with 4 couples. Added hands help the work to go faster and easier. The men have made good progress on the house. The dry wall is now ready for painting. The outside is prepared and ready for siding. Don was one of the men who installed all new windows and is now working on the outside trim. It looks much better than when we arrived. The ladies paint outside (weather permitting) and inside when it is raining (which is about half the time). Our inside painting is on the siding that will eventually be installed on the house by the men. We are hoping to see the house finished.

It hasn't been all work and no play this week. The ladies managed a trip to Shipshewana---great day!! Of course, we found some things we couldn't live without. For tour, we had the opportunity to have a complete tour of a steel mill, covered bridge and ended up at the beautiful country home of one of our team members. Another great day.

This coming week will be no different---work and play.

Good Week!

Wow, can week one here at Michindoh Conference Center be gone? Since we celebrated Labor Day on Monday (no volunteer work), the week got a late start but we still had a full week. The 3 couples that are here have gotten much done.

The men have a good start on rehabing the "cabin". There had been foam sprayed in all the outside walls and ceiling. One of the most difficult parts was cutting off the foam to be level with the studs etc. around it. Don spent much time reinforcing the electric boxes. But as you can see from the pictures, most of the dry wall is now on the walls. The ceiling was so low that Don didn't require a ladder---always good to not have to climb up and down. Come tomorrow, they will begin doing the dry wall finishing.

Rain interfered some with the ladies painting. However, we did spend a couple of mornings painting the outside of the building we are to totally paint. One rainy morning, we cleaned dining room chairs. Believe me, when they are used, they get dirty!! Another rainy morning, we started (barely with many to be done with multiple coats) staining/painting the siding that will be attached to the outside of the building the men are working on.


We enjoy the social part of our volunteer work. It has been fun getting to know many of the other volunteers working here for the month (non-RVICS). Also, since we haven't worked with any of the other RVICS volunteers, we are having fun with them too.

The walking/biking path and roads have been put to good use by our feet and bicycles. Most of our work places have a limited places to do this type of exercise. We might get in better shape than we were before arriving!

Yet this afternoon, we are anticipating the arrival of the last couple to add to our team. They are brand new to RVICS and we are thrilled to have them join us. Tomorrow, we are looking forward to another good day and week of work!

With temps still in the 90+ range, it was time to head out for our "fall" project. Yes, it was good to head out for a new location, new place to call home for a month and new, fellow Christians to meet. This is always an exciting time but especially this year.

Michindoh Conference Center in Hillsdale, Michigan, is our home for this month of September. It is ministry of Spring Arbor College. This is a gorgeous place with manicured RV sites, beautiful flowers, a lake, cattails and more. We have used the roads for biking and walking.

Our RVICS team is small with just 4 couples representing Michigan, Ohio, Indiana and Ohio. One couple has yet to arrive due to unforeseen circumstances but soon will be here. We have never worked with any of them before. There are, also, SOUERS here doing the same type of work we do. Camps, conference centers and such can't exist without outside help.

Today was our first work day of actual work. The men are working on a house trailer type home for a staff person. It has been gutted and our team will be putting it back together. The women our painting the outside of a log building. As we make progress,this blog will update our achievements.

Work Completed---Time for Summer Break

Yes, our time here at Blue Springs will be over in just a couple of days. Once again, where did the time go? This has been an enjoyable month with absolutely the best weather we've ever had in March---or for that, the whole winter--since we've been in RVICS. To make it even more special, the grass is green and the flowers are in abundance. We got to see all the dogwoods and azaleas this year!

But, before we pull out and head north to Hartford City, the women have a little more trimming to do to complete the large bathroom we've been working on for a couple of weeks. A couple of us will start painting on a few of the motel room doors. The men are just about done with the new ceiling lights. Don thinks (are they even sure) that most of the leaking plumbining is no longer leaking. Tomorrow, Don will complete the patching being done on their beautiful large pool. No, it hasn't been swum in yet. It still needs a good cleaning. All said and done, it was a very productive month of work for this RVICS group.

To end the month, the RVICS hosted cook out on Wednesday evening for the others doing volunteer work here this past month. Some had already left but the Campers on a Mission that were left and the RVICS had a wonderful time of sharing and fellowshiping together.

Right now, we are looking forward to visiting our families (very soon!) and friends. After the summer, we will be anxious to once again, pack up, hook up the truck and head out to another location.

Worn out Paint Brushes

Ditto----week two was very much like week one here at Blue Springs. However, if you visited the same places you would definitely see progress. The kitchen floor is totally covered with a fresh coat of paint. One bathroom has newly painted walls. The rec bathrooms now have some paint on them. More of the ceilings in the motel rooms, now have new light fixtures. The only new project was working on toilets/urinals and showers that were leaking in the bath house for the pool. This next week will find us doing much of the same work but, also, much more will be completed by the end of that time.

One of the things we like about working in the camps etc. is to see them in use. This weekend Blue Springs has come alive with 2 groups using the facilities. There was a "Mom and Me" retreat using the main buildings and a church youth group using the youth camp. We are here to make it better for those who use it.

Once again we had fantastic weather for the week. The beauty is all around us with spring plants coming back to life. Since it is warm, our group has spent alot of time outside just visiting. It has been good to ride bikes (alot), walking enjoying all that is made for us to enjoy.

Busy, busy week!

Week one was very productive. After the week was finished, all of us felt muscles we didn't know we had. However, the women have all the AC filters cleaned in the window AC units. With the exception of a tiny spot (where a cabinet needs to be moved), the kitchen floor in the youth camp now sports a new coat of paint. The women have started painted a couple of bathrooms that will take some time to do. The men have a good start of installing new ceiling lights in the motel rooms. Plus, Don and Tracey are repairing (major) 2 tiny bathrooms in the rec field. From this, you can see where we are now beginning on Monday!

The Florida weather took a U-turn the past few days. Fortunately, we missed a major storm that came through but we ended up with very heavy rain but no damage. What was left were very cool temps. That will change soon and be back to comfortable, dry weather again.

The RV parking is full! There are 4 RVICS couples working for our team. Also, there were 6 couples representing Campers on a Mission here the first of the week. Two of those couples left and 3 other couples came in. We do no work with them but it is nice talking with them and getting to know them as well. Also, at a local Lowe's parking lot yesterday morning, we met another RVICS couple that we didn't know from Indiana! They had been delayed going to another project in Florida due to a death in their family. It is a small world!

As you can see from the above picture, this is another beautiful place. Don and I have been living on our bicycles since Blue Springs covers many acres with 2 different areas of buildings. It is good to go outside and enjoy nature in a lawn chair too. Two and a half weeks more to enjoy our time here. More to come-----------

Blue Springs Baptist Conference Center

This is our third new beginning of 2011---is that possible? We are now in Marianna, Florida, right next to the Alabama/Georgia state lines. The weather is still very near perfect here too!! This is great and far different than what we experienced last year! The spring trees are in full bloom and the grass is greeen. We really didn't think spring would have advanced this far north yet.

There is another new beginning for us this month. In January, we were commissioned to take the leadership role of a team. As leaders, we had to arrive early and get set up for the others in all areas. We have been very busy getting arrangements made.

Another couple will be added to our 3 couples this month. They are arriving this morning and we haven't met them yet but are excited to do so. Along with the RVICS, Campers on a Mission have 5 couples working here also.

Stay tuned to see our progress here.

Leaving Lake Swan

Before I move on to the next project, I wanted to show some completed work at Lake Swan. At the beginning of the month, they men were working on replacing a kitchen sink. They have been using it and it works great. When we arrive at a project our host has a list of things to do. On their wish list was a picture (only) from the internet with an idea to make cubicles for holding beach things while the owner is swimming etc. It worked!! However, one of the staff is now having nightmares of kids climbing all over it! After that was done, they still had time for some work on the new septic system being installed at the camp. There are always new things to add to their "resume". The women did some much appreciated window cleaning as they ended their work.

On a beautiful, warm Wednesday morning, we had to wave goodbye and hit the road again. It was a very good month.

February is Nearing a Close--

Our time at Lake Swan is down to 2 more work days! Impossible!! This has been a great month of work. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time here helping this ministry that benefits so many. Spring has started to arrive, also. We are seeing pink blooms, red buds blooming and wild cherry blooms. A bonus, for out time here, is the wonderful weather we have experienced this time around.

The men saw the completition of their work in the kitchen. They, also, took a couple of days to repair a fence that a car rolled into the first of last week. The women finished their painting. How many windows are in the camp?---we don't know but the women are working washing and cleaning them all. We do know that with 3 ladies doing the work there will be more to do after we leave! There are more items on the men's to do list also.

Come Wednesday morning, Don & I will be pulling out and moving on to another project in another Florida location. This place will be hard to say good bye too but we know there are more ministries that need help and more people to meet.

R & R

Can we be half way done with our RVICS projects before it is time to head back to Hartford City? It doesn't seem possible but the calendar says that we are at that point. This was another week of doing very much of the same type of work we have done since we arrived. These jobs are more of the long term variety rather than many smaller ones. Since there are only 3 couples, it is taking longer to complete the jobs also. The men continued moving the sink and re-doing the plumbing associated with the move. Don and another guy are busy at work replacing all the suspended ceilings in the kitchen and dining room. (Don is finding muscles he didn't know he had by working over his head) The ladies finished re-making the curtains in the cabins so they fit the windows better. On Thursday, we began the painting of 3 rooms that is continuing into this week. It is amazing what difference little changes make in a room.

On Thursday, we headed south to the Tampa area for some great fellowship with friends from Hartford City and New Jersey. What perfect chamber of commerce weather to go with it! We had time at the beach, shuffleboard, biking, golfing (men but they gave us no score?), walking, and shopping (ladies) etc. To complete our weekend, we were joined by 2 other couples from HC. It is so good to relax and laugh---and we did alot of both!! Thanks to all that made this possible!!

We were tired but refreshed when we started work again today. This week will fly by too------

Merrily We Roll Along

One week of work has been completed here at Lake Swan. That just doesn't seem possible!! On some projects, our "to-do" list is very long and it seems we have barely scratched the surface of all they need before we leave. This month seems to be a little easier in regard to what they are needing. Also, since there are only 3 couples working this month, we are getting to work as a group instead of being divided into groups for different assignments. As you see, it has great variety.

The men completed lining and finishing the inside of the walk in cooler for the kitchen. Plus, they have moved a large sink from the middle of the room. Since a new sink will be put back on a wall, that required finding piping, cutting a cement floor etc. to put in the new water/drain lines. Also, one day, they tried putting together a scaffolding. After much trial and error, it was finally determined they had parts for 2 different scaffolds and other missing pieces. That makes for much fun and laughter! The women have enjoyed their time around sewing machines shortening curtains etc. for the cabins. The office workers have come to check out all the laughter.

Lake Swan is a special place for us to work. Our senior high youth group from UCC have traveled here for spring break for many years. It is a pretty place with a couple of lakes, spanish moss and live oak trees. Today, the sun is shining brightly and the lakes are reflecting the bright blue skies.

We feel so blessed meeting so many new couples in doing this ministry. Many of them become old friends whether we officially work with them again with RVICS or not. Since we have been at this location, we have reconnected (in person) with a couple of them. In both cases, it had been about 3 years since we last physically visited with each other, but when we got together it was if no time had passed at all!

Since the weather hasn't been the greatest these past days, we are all anticipating the sunny, warm conditions forecast for the coming week. After all, we are in Florida. Tomorrow, will find us back at it again, ready and happy to start another week of work.