When we rolled into Aldersgate Camps and Retreats is was like a small homecoming. We had attended a Sower Roundup and then volunteered at Aldersgate in late 2020. Then in June of this year we stayed overnight here on our way the the FMCA Rally in Albany, Oregon. (some of the SOWER projects allow SOWERS to overnight at their site) This overnight stay is what planted the seed to come back and volunteer here again. This is only the second time that we have worked at a SOWER Project more then once.
We are volunteering with Mark & Ginny, a SOWER couple that we had not met. They are from the same area that Rich & Jeanie Hansen live (Ann’s Cousin). It ends up that they had lived down the street from each other and attended the same church for a long time. It is a small world. We have enjoyed working with and getting to know Mark and Ginny. It has been a real blessing as we have made SOWER friends along our way.
Speaking of making Friends along the way. Back in that crazy time of late 2020, we came to volunteer at Aldersgate. SOWERs, Dennis and Susan were here and showed us the ropes and taught us to do the cleaning, washing, disinfecting and re setting up of the rooms. At the time they were buying a house in Millersburg, about 20 minutes south of here. We introduced them that our Group Leaders, Larry & Renee, (from our very first SOWER project) who were also from Millersburg. They have become friends and it has been a joy to get together with all of them while we are in the area. We are thankful for the Blessings that GOD gives us along our way.
We were also Blessed when our long time friends, John & Diane drove over from Depot Bay and spent Friday with us. We became good friends when we attended church together back in Reedley. John was the one who was responsible for helping me get my School Bus Certificate, which allowed me to start my career at Clay School. I look back at those friendships and opportunities GOD placed along our path and I am very Thankful.
Two side stories:
I am working with Dan and Mark. My brothers are Dan and Mark.
When we stayed overnight here are Aldersgate in June, we met Tom and Lorna, a SOWER couple volunteering here. As we talked we figured out that they lived about 10 minutes from my daughter and her family. As we continued to talk we figured out that their good friends lived just down the street from our daughter. Tom and Lorna had us over for lunch when we were at our daughters, on the way here. We are looking forward to getting together again on our way back home, this time hopefully we will add our daughters neighbors to our get together.
I will share more about what we are doing here at the camp in my next post. Bye for now.