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.