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.

A New Beginning

Yes, it is February and we have changed locations to Lake Swan Camp near Melrose, Florida. This is our second time here and one of our favorite places to work. This time there are only 3 couples in the group. This is about as small as we get but two couples were unable to make the trip.

We are ready to hit the road running in the morning. Don is going to find himself in the kitchen---not cooking though-----doing some upgrading and remakes. Some of it he hasn't done before. The women are going to start out using their sewing machines. About as soon as we arrived, they found some trees needed trimming in order not to scratch our RVs when they were pulled in.

We know that this will be a good month of work and,even though we are small, we will get much done.

"Finished" Business

Our time has ended at Florida Baptist Children's Home. It was a project that we really enjoyed and much was accomplished. One of the items that I had mentioned several times was building steps and a rail to one. As you can tell by the above picture, it looks great. The women could have worked many more days in the donation center sorting the items there. We did get a few rooms totally done. Above shows us working in the men's room sorting mens blue jeans and slacks. It is a never ending job as donations just keep coming in----that is a good thing!

Toward the end of our time in Lakeland, the weather was terrific which included warm temps. It was good to be able to sit outside for pop on the porch and enjoy some of our final hours fellowshipping.

As we pulled out for the next project, we said our final goodbyes to 2 couples that will be joining other RVICS groups for the month of February. Someday, hopefully, we will see each other again down the road somewhere.

RVICS reunion & Commissioning Service

It seems impossible that the month of January and this project are both nearly done. This has been a great month of work and accomplishments. There are only 2 days of assignments left. As always, there is more work to be done than we have hours to do it.

The concrete steps are now finished. Don, also, sanded and painted some dry wall. All of the men moved heavy, furniture around that they are replacing in the cottages. Some of the men have built the new furniture that has arrived. Since, the shipment wasn't complete, there will be more of that to do. The women continue to sort in the pantry and donation center. One day, a couple of us planted flowers. That is a first for me in January! Thankfully, we were all spared damage etc. when the storms came through on Tuesday night. There was a river of water several inches deep that ran through where our "homes" are parked.

This past Friday will be a day for us to always remember. Annually, all of the RVICS serving in Florida and RVICS retirees, gather for a reunion. Just like every reunion, this is a wonderful time for everyone to gather and see each other again. It is amazing how many friends we have made over the last 4 years that we'd have never known without RVICS.

However, this day was extra special for Don and I. Last summer, we accepted the call to become RVICS leaders. The leaders are responsible for coordinating the work team and the missions organization we are responsible for helping. At the reunion, a commissioning service was held for us. To make the day extra special, our long-time friends from Hartford City, Larry and Gaylene, were able to join us and, also, participate. They first introduced us to RVICS. It was very humbling to hear the scripture read, to have others pray for us, and even, the humor given at the end. We pray that we will be up to the task.

In the mean time, on Wednesday we will head north to another location---Lake Swan near Melrose, Florida. It will be another good adventure-----