Thursday, July 2, 2009
Last full day in South Carolina
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Greetings all! We had a very long day of work yesterday. One of the project sites was completed and Rural Mission assigned another for us to work on. When the group got there they were told they needed to relanoleum the kitchen floor. Well, it felt spongy to walk on, so when they pulled up the old floor they found all the supports were broken from previous termite infestation. Thus, a reasonable job grew to a much bigger project. The woman who lives there loves to cook and has several of her vertebrate fused in her neck. If she fell through the floor, it could be devastating for her.
Greetings all! We had a very long day of work yesterday. One of the project sites was completed and Rural Mission assigned another for us to work on. When the group got there they were told they needed to relanoleum the kitchen floor. Well, it felt spongy to walk on, so when they pulled up the old floor they found all the supports were broken from previous termite infestation. Thus, a reasonable job grew to a much bigger project. The woman who lives there loves to cook and has several of her vertebrate fused in her neck. If she fell through the floor, it could be devastating for her.
So today there are three groups working. One finishing the painting of the replaced ceiling and walls at the project 2 site. One is finishing the handicap ramp at that site. And one is at the new site replacing the end eaves of the house as well as working on reinforcing the kitchen floor and replacing the flooring.
Last night we hung around the church because we had a late supper by the time all the groups got back. I have to say that your kids are working very hard. You should be proud. At about 9pm, we loaded up the cars and headed to “Marble Slab Ice Cream” for a reward for a hard days work. This morning came to quickly and several of us tried to sneak a few more minutes before we had to get up.
One mishap today was that Zack hit his shin with a hammer. It’s fine, but he’ll have a war wound to tell stories about. We’ve bandaged and iced it. Another interesting event for each day is shower time. This occurs in the evening. It is when the girls hit the showers and scream because they see bugs while they are showering outside. For Samantha it’s grasshoppers. For Kelly, it’s frogs. And the rest aren’t fond of the spiders. Last night we had a guest visit from a lizard (gecko) and that added a new volume of screams. Too funny!
Well, I’m waiting for the crew to head back for lunch. Since we are heading out tomorrow afternoon, it is leftover day. We need to clean up the items we still have from previous meals. Tonight it is homemade pizza and brownie sundaes later. Hope all is well with you!
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
First of all, I need to apologize for not have anything up on the blog. You see, the area that we are in is very low economically and there isn’t any wi-fi around. I know when I was hope checking the blog a couple times a day and finding no update, was disappointing. I’m sorry.
Well, we are all doing well. There are two project sites and the kids are divided by how many are needed to complete the job at each site. Some of the things they are doing include, building a shelter around an outdoor electric box so the residents aren’t in danger of losing power as easily in a storm. They are reinforcing a roof on a porch that has rotted. Some are painting the ceiling and walls of a room that just had a new ceiling put up by a previous mission group. Others have weeded a garden (watch out for those fire ants!) and are building a handicap ramp so the wife has wheelchair access. Oh yeah, on top of that they are painting the outside of a house and replacing windows in the back part.
There are a lot of tired faces when they arrive for lunch and dinner. But after a shower and some food they gain some energy back. They have been to the beach at Edisto Beach every night. The water is quite warm for the ocean. Body surfing and wave jumping have been some favorite activities.
The first day of work was over 100 degrees. It was so hot! The kids would use the cooler ice to wipe themselves down. The past two days have been slightly cooler, but it is still the hot and humid south! The people of the area are predominantly black and very friendly. They always say hello when I’m in the grocery store and wave when we pass in the car. We’ve observed that the neighbors know each other closely and help out with equipment as best they can. One site needed an extra ladder and soon a neighbor lady offered them hers. They have little to offer but they are generous with what they do have.
Except for a few stomach ailments (Kelly, Zack, & Mikey), we are only taking care of bug bites and sunburn. Mornings are tough for some to roll out of bed, but once they are all up and ready they are good workers. You have great children and should be proud of the way they are stepping out of their comfort zones and working for God. Also, I can personally say that they are good eaters. We’ve had taco night, ham & scalloped potatoes, mac & cheese, salad, sandwiches, and continental breakfasts. Tonight is baked ziti and tomorrow is homemade pizza. The kids have blended together quite well. There has been plenty of laughter and joking around.
Well, that is the scoop for now. I will try to get some pictures uploaded. I have some great ones! Hopefully, when we get to Tennessee I will have better internet options. Continue to pray for our health, safety, strength, and patience. Thank you for sharing your children with us. Now I’m off to make lunch….
Michele
Well, we are all doing well. There are two project sites and the kids are divided by how many are needed to complete the job at each site. Some of the things they are doing include, building a shelter around an outdoor electric box so the residents aren’t in danger of losing power as easily in a storm. They are reinforcing a roof on a porch that has rotted. Some are painting the ceiling and walls of a room that just had a new ceiling put up by a previous mission group. Others have weeded a garden (watch out for those fire ants!) and are building a handicap ramp so the wife has wheelchair access. Oh yeah, on top of that they are painting the outside of a house and replacing windows in the back part.
There are a lot of tired faces when they arrive for lunch and dinner. But after a shower and some food they gain some energy back. They have been to the beach at Edisto Beach every night. The water is quite warm for the ocean. Body surfing and wave jumping have been some favorite activities.
The first day of work was over 100 degrees. It was so hot! The kids would use the cooler ice to wipe themselves down. The past two days have been slightly cooler, but it is still the hot and humid south! The people of the area are predominantly black and very friendly. They always say hello when I’m in the grocery store and wave when we pass in the car. We’ve observed that the neighbors know each other closely and help out with equipment as best they can. One site needed an extra ladder and soon a neighbor lady offered them hers. They have little to offer but they are generous with what they do have.
Except for a few stomach ailments (Kelly, Zack, & Mikey), we are only taking care of bug bites and sunburn. Mornings are tough for some to roll out of bed, but once they are all up and ready they are good workers. You have great children and should be proud of the way they are stepping out of their comfort zones and working for God. Also, I can personally say that they are good eaters. We’ve had taco night, ham & scalloped potatoes, mac & cheese, salad, sandwiches, and continental breakfasts. Tonight is baked ziti and tomorrow is homemade pizza. The kids have blended together quite well. There has been plenty of laughter and joking around.
Well, that is the scoop for now. I will try to get some pictures uploaded. I have some great ones! Hopefully, when we get to Tennessee I will have better internet options. Continue to pray for our health, safety, strength, and patience. Thank you for sharing your children with us. Now I’m off to make lunch….
Michele
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