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.