The RVICS Headquarters Project 2025 (Really Big Challenges, But a Huge Success)
It's incredible how much we accomplished despite the weather and illnesses.
This RVICS volunteer group was the largest we've ever worked with. It's a good thing we had a lot of helpers because so many of us got sick. Tommy and I hadn't gotten so much as a cold in over six years. We escaped COVID and many flu seasons but finally caught a bug. I'm fighting off a second round of this flu as I write this. The freezing temperatures affected our health and slowed the process.
Projects ordinarily last three weeks, but we started a week early to get the office painted for the incoming administration. It was great that we did because the cold front that hit Texas put a real crimp in work activities. There was a lot of outdoor work to be done. Walking around the Village, I'm thrilled with our accomplishments.
We painted the headquarters, the mail room, the bathroom in the shop, and all the doors and entryways at Shaffer Hall and the office. Many neglected signs were painted.
The amount of tree trimming that took place was mind-blowing. A branch they cut from the large tree on our site was sure to drop on our yet-to-finished screen room add-on. The city picks up a specified amount of clippings and branches every week. It will be quite a while before all the debris is gone. There were also a lot of bushes cleared out on the road next to the property.
The shop's doors were repaired, and an AC and furnace were removed. Numerous hinges and door locks were oiled on the property. The Rec Center received many repairs, including a new roof. The painting didn't get done, but with many of the team members willing to pitch in, I'm sure it will be finished.
Windows were washed, and some of the ladies worked hours at the Born Again Emporium, a non-profit thrift store run entirely by volunteers. The store is open on Fridays and Saturdays from 9:00 to 2:00, and you can hardly find a parking spot. Sorting and pricing items takes a lot of work, and when the store is open, there are usually at least ten people in line.
Volunteers come from seven local churches and RVICS, with all funds returning to the community.
The roof of Shaffer Hall was power washed, and the difference was mind-blowing. It looked as if it had been painted. Tom, our lift worker and tree trimmer extraordinaire, let Marilee and I take a break from door painting to enjoy a bird’s eye view of the hall. It was a blast going for a ride on the lift.
I was surprised by how flexible and organized our fearless leader Stan was. Projects usually follow strict criteria, but with the many challenges, being adaptable was a huge commodity. I say I was surprised because Stan is such a jokester that you never know when to take him seriously. That's how I wound up painting a wall that I wasn't supposed to on the first day of the project. 🙄
Suppose you are retired and looking for a way to give back and stay active. In that case, Roving Volunteers in Christ's Service is a wonderful organization to be a part of. I can't image what our life would be like if Tommy hadn't discovered it. We will stay put in the Village until we head to our Montana assignment in June. In the meantime, Tommy is anxious to return to work on our shed's screen room addition.
I look forward to having a great outdoor space to enjoy when the weather improves. It's 71 degrees today. Yahoo!!
We'll spend three weeks on the Montana project and have the month of August to travel to Idaho for our next assignment in September. When done with that assignment, we'll visit with some good friends in Idaho Falls and pick up our 20-foot box trailer to bring it home. We stored it there in 2021 when we left California in the rearview mirror. It has memorabilia that we couldn't part with and some furniture that will fit nicely into the shed and screen room.
It's impossible to describe how blessed we feel to have found this fantastic community of Christ-followers. We have grown so much in our faith, made many amazing new friends, and have a great place to call home. Thanks for tagging along with me. I am grateful for the many subscribers and followers who join me. Now, I need to recruit some RVICS volunteers.
Jesus' words from Matthew 9:37-38, the Living Bible Translation: He said to his disciples, "The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields."
We need more workers, folks. The misery inflicted on us for the last four years has opened the doors to many searching hearts. What better place to make a difference than in Christian camps that introduce our young people to Christ's love?