Don't let the title fool you, I think we will enjoy this project and get to learn a lot about the surrounding communities. We arrived in Rexford, KS at noon on Sat. Sept. 5. RVICS tries to plan projects that are in the same area of the country and are near enough to each other that the RVICSers can move in an orderly fashion between them. We chose projects in Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas with one project a month.
To say this area is somewhat isolated is an understatement. Most of the land is farming land but lack of moisture and hail has greatly diminished the crop that farmers had hoped to harvest. Then the cool temps throughout the summer means the frost will have to stay far away for a long time yet. That is also true in Sioux Center area even though the crops look lush and bountiful right now. The heat units just are not fast in coming so the harvest will be later then usual and the grain will need drying. That is the way it looks right now anyway. Back to Rexford, 
Kansas. The project we are working at is The Shepherd's Staff. It is a Retreat Center for local pastors, school groups, Bible Camp groups, etc. About 1300 to 1500 people come through here in a year's time. No groups are here this weekend so it is really quite around here. The Shepherd's Staff makes up most of the town's building because most of the businesses are closed. The grain elevator and some farm related businesses are open. I will show more town pictures next time. The picture to the left is our "campground".and taken against the sun so is too dark I know but I haven't been very active with the camera hear yet. It does furnish us with a free spot to park, water, electricity and sewer so we are set up good. Because of illness 2 of the couples cannot join us so right now we are just 6 people. Our work is to begin restoring a big old house that was moved into the town. With just the 6 of us we will not make a dent in the restoration but we will do what we can considering the limitations of seniors who make up the project staff. Numerous other old buildings have been restored and become conference Centers, dorms, cafeterias, etc. Interesting that all the rooms are restored to a particular theme and those themes are taken from past history of this community. The furnishings come from community people and include some good looking antiques but most of the rooms look like they belong in a museum. There is a church here within walking distance so we attended S.S. and church here this morning. I think we will continue going to this church. We do increase the attendance of the service by quite a high percentage. Before we left home on Friday morning we had a great time at Butler's with Maddie, Becky and Alec. What a fun time we had. So glad they all took time out from work and school schedules to do that with us. And we weren't in a hurry as we had only 300 miles to make that day and as some of you know that is ou
r unwritten rule anyway, 300 miles! And our schedule is to hang loose, no tight structure. It's working for us.
The next picture shows what determination and perseverance is all about. As some of you know Cindy's health does not allow her to work very long at a time if at all, still, early this summer she decided to start improving the basement in her house. A monumental task for most of us. She did get willing help from the girls. Slowly she primed, painted and decorated the two play rooms in the basement. You can see the basic decor except that one wall is all light green. The floor is painted black but some carpet will cover part of the floor in time. The love of Paris - hence the Eiffel tower. All the walls have some Paris accents and this wall actually does make it look like you are looking out of a window at the tower. She certainly has added value to our house and made it very attractive for her girls and the numerous neighbor girls that play with her girls. 
Kansas. The project we are working at is The Shepherd's Staff. It is a Retreat Center for local pastors, school groups, Bible Camp groups, etc. About 1300 to 1500 people come through here in a year's time. No groups are here this weekend so it is really quite around here. The Shepherd's Staff makes up most of the town's building because most of the businesses are closed. The grain elevator and some farm related businesses are open. I will show more town pictures next time. The picture to the left is our "campground".and taken against the sun so is too dark I know but I haven't been very active with the camera hear yet. It does furnish us with a free spot to park, water, electricity and sewer so we are set up good. Because of illness 2 of the couples cannot join us so right now we are just 6 people. Our work is to begin restoring a big old house that was moved into the town. With just the 6 of us we will not make a dent in the restoration but we will do what we can considering the limitations of seniors who make up the project staff. Numerous other old buildings have been restored and become conference Centers, dorms, cafeterias, etc. Interesting that all the rooms are restored to a particular theme and those themes are taken from past history of this community. The furnishings come from community people and include some good looking antiques but most of the rooms look like they belong in a museum. There is a church here within walking distance so we attended S.S. and church here this morning. I think we will continue going to this church. We do increase the attendance of the service by quite a high percentage. Before we left home on Friday morning we had a great time at Butler's with Maddie, Becky and Alec. What a fun time we had. So glad they all took time out from work and school schedules to do that with us. And we weren't in a hurry as we had only 300 miles to make that day and as some of you know that is ou
r unwritten rule anyway, 300 miles! And our schedule is to hang loose, no tight structure. It's working for us.We are anxious to see exactly what we will do and how we will adjust to this culture. It certainly is exact opposite of Miami, FL or Hawaiian Gardens, CA. However, there is a Super WallMart just 20 miles down the road in Colby. Other then that town most of the towns boast of about 150 people as Rexford does.
Love and best wishes to you all. God Bless You as you celebrate the Labor Day and as you get back into the Fall schedule after that.
Mom and Dad
Glad to read that you are all settled in. I hope the down-size of your RVICS crew doesn't mean you have to do double the work. Sounds like a town in the middle of nowhere - just like Ridgecrest! But if you've got a Super Walmart only 20 miles away you're not too far from civilization.
ReplyDeleteLove you,
Kim