Work, Play and Encourage!

Feb. 23, 2009 These two pictures show that there may be something to the idea that men know how to work "smarter" or at least how to use less energy than the other gender when doing a similar task. Well, we only painted one morning so I am not complaining but my body did complain a little the "morning after". The men not only painted strips where needed but also the fence bordering the ball diamond. They did electrical work and laid pipe in the ground. Of course, it doesn't have to be below the frost line because it doesn't freeze down here. They knocked out a well in the office, put in a new one and had to finish it with mudding, sanding and painting. They built cabinets, changed most of the florescent light bulbs with energy efficient ones, stripped paint off mop boards, (that gives old muscles a test) built bleachers for the ball diamond, improved the barbecue pit, constructed new benches for the dug out, and anything else the supervisor in charge had been instructed to get done. They usually worked in pairs and that seemed to work out well. The women continue to tutor in the classrooms. Our students become great friends to us and it will be hard to leave them even as it was at the last project.

Yes, we played too. The church had an all church picnic at a park nearby and since the Missionaries that spoke at the Missionary Conference were going to be attending we decided it would be a good way to talk more to them as well as play games. We aren't necessary known for our athletic prowess but we tried. Actually I think dad looks in good form throwing horseshoes. He remembers when he and Darrel threw the "real thing" around on the farm when they were young. My athletic form is lousy to say the least but I tried. Someone had brought a game that included stands that were placed quite a ways apart and had two bars across. The players were to throw a rope that had a ball at both ends of it and try to wind it around the bars on the stands. I can hear some of you laughing at my description as you may have played the game for years and are good at it. Beginners luck had me wrapping the rope around the bar with the first throw. Needless to say, that was the last time I even touched the stand or the bars.

This picture had nothing to do with my hot air I am sure because we blew them up with a air pump but it was easier to feel confident with this activity then the ball toss. The balloons, hundreds of them, were given to the kids that attended the Mission Conference. Needless to say you can tell the Mission Conference was a big deal but when I wrote about it before I used real names and that was not good because of the danger it could put some Missionaries in. You will notice I deleted the details soon after I had posted it.

Because this is our last week here, in fact we leave Wednesday for Keystone Heights near Orlando for the March project, the Pastors of the church hosted us at a lunch today. They ordered in barbecue chicken, ribs and pork. Had many side dishes and a variety of cheesecakes for dessert. They are so appreciative of our volunteering our time but we feel we have been blessed just to be a part of the great preaching and teaching at the church as well as having an active part in making the teachers and staff people's job just a little bit easier. What a privilege to be a part of a school and church like this. I have never seen such complete unity and acceptance of so many different ethnic backgrounds. It's like a drama that unfolds before us each day we are here.

We usually tour on Friday and last Friday a nice tour was planned. But we never know when our best laid plans can suddenly become of no account with just one phone call. Thursday afternoon Ron and Rose Byle from Michigan got a phone call that their 42 year old son died in a snow mobile accident. We often say we "circle up" for prayer. There was a lot of circling up that night as we tried to encourage and just be there for them. Ron and Rose had joined our team for the Feb. project and were planning to remain with us through March. They flew home on Friday morning and the RVICS guys brought their motorhome to Rose's sister near Orlando. It sounds like they will come back to Florida in a couple of weeks but they have the option of coming or opting out all together. It was a time of playing back the tapes of when we received such phone calls the last few years. We have a God who is faithful and loving at all times but at such times we need to rely on our mind to assure us of that truth. Feelings and emotions become somewhat overwhelming and even wavering at times.

I am not "highlighting" any particular one of our kids in this picture but thought you might like to try to see how many cousins you recognize.

You all are in our thoughts and prayers much throughout the days and nights. We look forward to seeing all of you kids in the next few months but can't give dates yet because we don't know them. We have this wander lust in our blood now so who knows where we will go. The Lord has lead us to RVICS now and we believe it is good for us. Interesting to think about what lies ahead.

Love and best wishes,

Dad and Mom/Wilmer and Marilyn