On the road again!

April 5, 2009 This past week we left Florida after 4 months of volunteering there with a month off over Christmas at Sioux Center. The winter has been so good for us. We enjoyed the work we did even though each time we got on a site we had no idea if we would be working with students, putting up dry wall, washing windows, painting, cleaning showers, exchanging old light bulbs for more energy efficient ones, or whatever. Some were more fun than others but we believe all the jobs we did made it easier for people employed at the project sites. Our RV spot and hookups were always free and very adequate and sometimes food were even provided for us RVICSers. But another highlight of each project was the people we interacted with on the project, in the churches we attended and fellow RVICSers who worked side by side with us. We give God the glory for allowing us to be a part of this unique ministry.
Monday we had a big day making close to 400 miles. I know our limit is really 300 but a good campground does not always suddenly appear when we have made our mile limit. We did find a good one and only $10.00 at that with all hookups. Tuesday we drove until we got to Moss Point, Mississippi and to Carl's home. The picture is the oldest and youngest of the Rensink boys/men. We had a fantastic visit with Carl. We got to see some of the furniture and other items that Carl makes. He uses the very best wood and also the very best craftsmanship. The furniture will last through any storm that may come that way it is built so sturdy. The little jewelry or trinket boxes were a project he started for his 3 granddaughters. They are not a little easy project, they have 3 drawers and each one is in the shape of a heart. A lot of work but so neat. He also makes bird houses for a church project. He makes them and then sells them with the money going to the church. He also still does a lot of work restoring homes damaged by one of the hurricanes. And I must mention the supper he served us. It is what is called a shrimp boil. Shrimp, potatoes, sausage, ear corn, onions and the right amount of spices made for an interesting and tasty meal. He even topped it off with strawberry pie. Such a great stop, we hadn't been to his place for many more years than I care to count. So glad we could catch up with his "doings" again.
We are now in Branson Missouri and have done some of our traditional things when we are here: Branson Landing, Farmhouse Cafe for blackberry cobbler with ice cream, and, of course, Silver Dollar City. We like Silver Dollar City at this time of year because they have the World Fest. Various countries send some of their best talent to preform for 6 weeks at Branson. We actually saw the 8 shows listed below Saturday, it was busy but glad we saw them all because today was not the kind of weather we wanted to be running around in outside. The shows we saw were;
A banjo queen from New Zealand
Aussie Wayne Horsburgh from Australia - country melodies
The steel drummers from Trinidad - always a special show for us
Three piece group from Argentina - traditional folk dance and comedy
Dermot Murphy, a soloist from Ireland
Group from Peru doing traditional dance and music
Feet of Fire, a group of step dancers combining Irish music and symbolic fire dancing
The absolute best - The Zhejiang Acrobats from China. Unbelievable feats of high flying silk aerialists, amazing contortionists, plate spinning artists, bamboo fighters and the all impressive balancing monks! Wow, were they great.
I am sorry there are no more pictures. I decided my sanity was more important than pictures tonight. Sometimes the Internet can be so horribly disgusting, tonight was one of those nights. More pictures to come in the next few days.
Hope you are all doing well. I know "home" had a few more inches of snow yesterday and last night, just doesn't want to be spring yet. We are looking forward to being home for awhile. Pray you all will experience the Holiness of this weekend when we commemorate Easter. God Bless each one of you.
Dad and Mom/Marilyn and Wilmer