This is the first time that we have stayed at a project for two consecutive months. We had a week off in between, so our big travel day was to switch RV Sites. We moved a little over 100 feet so that our coach would be facing north in a more shaded area. We still had to all the prep, just as if we were moving 300 miles.
We are working with two other SOWER Couples this month. Tony and Sue are the Group Leaders, have served at over 25 SOWER projects, and are full time in their Fifth Wheel. We had worked with them last year. Kent and Debbie are newbies. This is their first SOWER project! They just picked up their brand new Winnebago EKKO and started their full time adventure two weeks before arriving at Riverbend. They have been gleaning information about full time RV Life and SOWERS. It has been fun to share our unlimited knowledge with them. 🙂 🙂 That was a joke, just in case you weren’t laughing.
This has been another great group to work with. It is different than showing up to work with a group and then going home. We live kind of close in the RV sites, although it seams like we are spaced out like back in those “can’t get too close to anyone days”. We do morning devotions together, where we take turns doing the devotions. We have had a lot of meals together, enjoyed game nights and attended church together.
When Ann and I were here last month Texas Baptist Men were here working on another project, the new chapel. This was my first time working at the same camp as TBM. We learned that there are many groups under the Texas Baptist Men umbrella, and it was the Camp Builders working here. In the new chapel they had framed it, ran the wire, hung the drywall, and started installing the T 1 11. We enjoyed learning about their work and getting to know a few of the TBM guys. It is another good volunteer organization.
Our job this month was to continue where they left off. We installed T1-11 Siding around the sanctuary and entry way, installed 1″x4″ trim molding around the top of the siding, trimmed out the doors, and installed some electrical outlets. The goal is to have the Chapel ready for summer. It is a big project and and we were not the only ones working on it. Camp staff and TBM guys were building the stage, AC guys installing the heating and cooling ducts, the drywaller mudding in the drywall, and just as we finished with the siding there were “Spring Break Volunteer Kids” right there to paint the T1-11 we just put up. It was fun to watch the kids working during their spring break on the camp. We are thankful to be a little part of the process in getting this Chapel ready for summer camps. Last year Riverbend Retreat Center had over 8,000 kids attend camp here, with over 400 decisions for Christ.
It is just like home, you never finish with the laundry. Here at Riverbend Retreat Center there are groups of various sizes here during the weekends and even on weekdays. One weekend they had 670 guys for Man Camp! The piles of laundry can be giant mountains. This has been the biggest job for the ladies. As in most camps they have a specific way to do the laundry and then fold the sheets in packets. They got this down really fast. When caught up with the laundry there was some painting and paper shredding to do. Ann even did some sowing repairs. She is truly a sewing SOWER.
It has been a great time working together. We have completed two weeks and have one more to go until we all head to different projects. We do look forward to serving together for a little bit longer. Click here to see more pictures from our time here at Riverbend Retreat Center.