Lake Swan Camp

Goodbye snow, cold, wind and Indiana. Hello north central Florida. Soon after we left Indiana one week ago, it wasn’t too far down the road that we found the warmer temps and abundant sunshine that retirees are always wanting to find. After spending a few days with Kim, Chris and grandkids, we gave hugs. After getting the RV out of storage, we finished our journey to Lake Swan Camp near Melrose, Florida.

Lake Swan Camp is a place that we have heard of for many years but have never visited. Clyde has been bringing the senior high youth here for spring break for a long time. Even though this is in Florida it has impacted many lives even back home in Indiana. This camp has suffered through many years from attacks from the neighbors around the lake on which it sets. Everyone is trying to preserve their little piece of heaven no matter who it affects. This has resulted in many law suits over the years---even to the extent that vending machine lights must be off. As a result of all the lawsuits that left very little to no money for the physical facilities. In fact, they have had to cancel RVICS projects in the past for lack of funds. Now that the suits seem to all settled they are trying to upgrade some.

They have a place for RVs to park on the grounds. The electrical hook ups barely work. The men will be replacing the electrical lines to bring the up to date for one of their jobs. We haven’t heard what the women will be doing.

Even though we are just meeting the other couples in our group, we anticipate a really good and fun month. There are 6 couples in all---North Carolina (2 couples), West Virginia, Minnesota/Illinois and, our good friends the Holloways from Hartford City. We are anxious and excited to get going.

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.