If this is Tuesday, it must be Red Bird Mission

Well, Dang. I despise creative writing and social media, but apparently this is mandatory. While at Red Bird, I and my fellow basketball/hacky-sackers have lived in fear of a roaming bulldog. This bulldog turns 2 on 2 into 3 on 2, with the defender always profiting. And when the dog gets the ball, he guards it, effectively halting the game. I have been playing hacky-sack, and improving, along with various games of cards. Unfortunately no one plays poker, but what can you do?  As for good works, I have been painting a house and helping clear out floorboards. Clearing the floorboards was rather entertaining, as I was finally entrusted with free rein and a crowbar. Bedlam ensued. To my parents: I love you, and yes, father, I enjoy the cessation of your smart*** remarks. Sleep well, and may all prosper by the incredible wisdom provided above. Also, the pastor tried to kill me with an ingenious trap involving a swinging door and a cup of hot chocolate.

Alex

                                   

Hello this is Rachel.  One of the rookies this year on the trip.  I’m so happy to be here and helping.  Kentucky is beautiful and the smoky mountains are wonderful to look at every morning.  I wanted to tell you about my “rookie day”!   I moved teams today and joined Gordan, Jenna, Kristin, Molly and Alex in some serious painting on a cabin here at sight.  We did priming and started painting balcony ceilings with the “Red Bird” Red we did a fine job!  Got done before lunch, we went back after lunch to put a second coat on and the foreman came by to check on us and I found out that we were suppose to paint the ceiling white!!!!  So guess what, we put primer on and Thursday we’re ready to start the white paint!!

Day 2 of working is done, after dinner we bought ice cream from the volunteer fire dept and then did some wonder shopping at the local craft store (yes, sweet husband I used the credit card tonight)  J  Then Nancy and Molly gave the devotion tonight.  I was so proud of her and Nancy.  It made Barb and I cry!  It’s a good day when you make this proud momma cry!!!

Blessings and thanks to everyone for supporting and praying for us.

                                   

Day two of work camp for “Mr. Blinky” (aka Jack Diemer) and his team (Barb, Nancy, Francis, Kate, Jake) began with a 25-mile drive back to Manchester to Willis and Kim’s home to install a tin roof.  We were again serenaded by their nine hunting beagles, with Chief barking the lead.

Barb got to make a trip back to Red Bird, slightly over an hour round trip, to get extra screws so we would have enough to get the roof almost done.  Apparently, she sang both parts of “I Can Do Anything You Can Do Better” because I wasn’t there to sing the Annie Oakley portion (my role in high school).  She does love the Sirius radio and Broadway Showtunes station.

While Barb was driving through Appalachia, the rest of us became first-time roofers.  We started pre-drilling 1,000 holes into 50 4’ x 8’ tin sheets… and enjoyed working together to make a difference in the life of this couple.  Jack was a pro in his “tool apron” perched atop the roof.  His fearless assistants were Jake and Frances.  I joined Kate as the ground crew responsible for marking and drilling the holes and handing the tin sheets up to our roofers to screw into the roof.  Highlights included our delicious lunch made even better with the tomato and bacon we were bequeathed by one of the staff members after breakfast which made my BLT sandwich, Francis’ HLTC (ham, lettuce, turkey, cheese), and Kate’s TBL (turkey, bacon, lettuce) sandwich. Barb gave me and Kate some “Drilling Basics 101” lessons AFTER we had already drilled about 800 holes and broke two drill bits… but now we know the proper way to drill through metal! J  We had a long, yet very productive work day in the hot Kentucky sun.  We enjoyed one quick bit of rain early in the day, which made the afternoon even steamier with the humidity.

Nancy

                                   

A brief report on the rest of the troop:

Susan lays a mean parquet floor – especially because they had to mix and match parts that don’t always fit.  They used the floor parts that Annie deemed unusable in her portion of the flooring.  She and Janet celebrated each success.  Howard and Annie continued laying floor in other parts of the apartment.  Linda now has bruises on her legs from clipping labels and sealing envelopes. We’re sure there is a good story there and will work on getting it out of her.

It was another good except for the lack of wifi connection.  We will continue to post as possible.  Pictures will be the last to be posted.  As always we firmly believe that GOD IS GOOD!

Barbara

Our first work day is over and I think we have some very tired people. 

We started our day with devotions at 7:15am.  One of the volunteers from Georgia who had been here before shared a bit about what to expect during the week.  After breakfast we headed off to our work sites.

Crew 1, lead by the fantastic Jack aka Mr. Blinkie, headed about 35 miles down the road to work on a roof.  Today's work involved removing the roofing and getting it all cleaned up.  Jack and Jake started on the roof but were joined by Kate and Frances.  The rest of the crew started cleaning up around the home and picking up the old shingles.  We stopped for lunch and Willis and Kim, the homeowners, picked a cucumber from their garden to slice and serve us.  It was delicious.  After lunch, it was back on the roof for Jack, Jake, Frances, Kate, and Susan to lay the felt.  Rachel, Nancy, and Barbara continued picking up the old tar shingles.  Nancy made friends with Marsha the Mouse.  After a final patrol of the area, we headed back to Red Bird.  Without Bobby, our camp team leader, to lead us, we were probably lucky to make it back.  We weren't as done as we thought.  It took us about 1/2 an hour to empty the bed of the truck. While unloading, we discovered that Marsha the Mouse came with us.  We left her at the dumpster.  It was a warm day of hard work, so the showers felt great.

Crew 2, lead by the equally fantastic Howard stayed on campus to work on a flooring project at an apartment for a teacher or long term volunteer.  In preparation they removed nails using a hammer and crowbar from subfloor and cut out boards needing to be replaced.  The room got noisy quickly with all the hammering.  Annie and Howard started laying new hardwoods in a small bedroom.  Unfortunately, the room was very small so that not all of the group could help.  Jenna, Kristin and Molly finished their jobs and went in search of more work.  They were sent to the craft store and laundromat to clean the bathrooms and showers and which hadn't been cleaned in a very very long time.  It was the first time some had ever cleaned a urinal.  Alex and Gordon kept busy replacing some larger areas and cutting the liner to go under the hardwoods.  

Crew 3 - lead, followed and tasks completed by the one and only Linda.  She clipped coupons and box tops, helped make lunch, worked in the craft store and had a great time visiting with a few people.  It's too bad she's not social.  

Linda and Alex lead wonderful devotion on forgiveness.  Followed by a team builder requiring us to move a ball from one side of a bed sheet to other without using our hands.  Well, their hands were holding the edges of the sheet.  It was surprising how well they worked as a team and completed the task quickly.  And continued to play with the two for quite some time.  

Thank you for your prayers and support.

Janet and Barbara

PS - Connection issues so this is late.  Pictures will follow.

Adult Blogging Time

Our first work day is over and I think we have some very tired people.

We started our day with devotions at 7:15am.  One of the volunteers from Georgia who had been here before shared a bit about what to expect during the week.  After breakfast we headed off to our work sites.

Crew 1, lead by the fantastic Jack aka Blinkie, headed about 35 miles down the road to work on a roof.  Today's work involved removing the roofing and getting it all cleaned up.  We stopped for lunch and Willis and Kim, the homeowners, picked a cucumber from their garden to slice and serve us.  It was delicious.  After lunch, it was back on the roof for Jack, Jake, Frances, Kate, and Susan to lay the felt.  Rachel, Nancy, and Barbara removed trash and then picked up the shingles.  After a final patrol of the area, we headed back to Red Bird.  Without Bobby, our camp team leader, to lead us, we were probably lucky to make it back.  We weren't as done as we thought.  It took us about 1/2 an hour to empty the bed of the truck.  Showers felt great.

Crew 2, lead by the equally fantastic Howard stayed on campus to work on a flooring project at an apartment for a teacher or long term volunteer.  In preparation they removed nails using a hammer and crowbar from subfloor and cut out boards needing to be replaced.  The room got noisy quickly with all the hammering.  Annie and Howard started laying new hardwoods in a small bedroom.  Unfortunately, the room was very small so that not all of the group could help.  Jenna, Kristin and Molly finished their jobs and went in search of more work.  They were sent to the craft store and laundromat to clean the bathrooms and showers and which hadn't been cleaned in a very very long time.  It was the first time some had ever cleaned a urinal.  Alex and Gordon kept busy replacing some larger areas and cutting the liner to go under the hardwoods.

Crew 3 - lead, followed and tasks completed by the one and only Linda.  She clipped coupons and box tops, helped make lunch, worked in the craft store and had a great time visiting with a few people.  It's too bad she's not social.

Linda and Alex lead wonderful devotion on forgiveness.  Followed by a team builder requiring us to move a ball from one side of a bed sheet to other without using our hands.  Well, their hands were holding the edges of the sheet.  It was surprising how well they worked as a team and completed the task quickly.  And continued to play with the two for quite some time.

Communication Update

FYI - Cell phones do not work at Red Bird.  If you would like to speak to a family member, please leave a comment here and we will get your family member a way to call you.  Or just leave your message here for all to share.

Riding into Red Bird

After a wonderful night spent at Trinity UMC we got to attend a delightful prayer service, where we got to listen to scripture and sat in silence of the Lord in prayer. We then started our rainy, two hour drive to Henderson Settlement, where Pastor Howard met up with some old friends (he had worked and lived there previously for two years). We were privileged to receive a tour of the property and see some beautiful scenery.

A Banner in the Prayer Hall of Trinity UMC

Our Rainy Drive

Our Tour of Henderson Settlement

Waiting patiently for the rain to subside, we played card games and visited. When the rain slowed, we were able to pack up and get on the road for an hour and a half trip to Red Bird. Once we arrived at Red Bird, we got situated (boys in a cabin at the bottom of a hill and girls at the top), and had a delicious dinner of pizza and sloppy joes provided by the Red Bird staff. 

Our Welcome to Red Bird

Beautiful View of Clouds over the Mountains

We rested a bit after dinner, before heading down to orientation. While there, we received a descriptive layout of the grounds and the work we will be doing this week. We then sang songs of grace and praise and closed with a prayer. Finally, we had our own devotion and team building games. Then off to shower (which was much needed) and get rest for a big day tomorrow.

Molly, Kate, and Frances

PS the best way to contact us is commenting through the blog

and YAY USA!!!

Enjoying the Local Cuisine!

Old Piano in Schoolhouse at Henderson

Original Schoolhouse

Alex Gazing Majestically out into the Valley

Group Photos!!

Love One Another

Cruisin' into Kentucky

Five states and twelve hours later, Leawood UMC arrives safely at Trinity UMC, exhausted but ready to serve in the week ahead. 

We headed off from the church around 7:45, packed into vans with burritos, cinnamon rolls and a prayer circle to fill us up. The journey ahead loomed long in front of us, but the sugar from the cinnamon rolls definitely perked us up. 

Each van had a different experience. Some listened to Broadway show tunes, some played cards and made friendship bracelets, while others took numerous naps. And of course there was some snacking too. 

When we finally arrived at Trinity UMC, we were greeted with a wonderful pastor (complete with a southern accent) and a beautiful purple and pink sky.

The beautiful Kentucky sky

For dinner, we had wondrous pulled pork and brisket left over from the Legacy Barbecue and finished it off with oven baked s'mores, courtesy of Nancy.  

Barb, Jack and Gordon lovingly prepare dinner

We wrapped up the night with a short devotion, reminding us who we are in Christ. 

We got to see a few scattered fireworks, but unfortunately we missed the big show from last night. It was definitely a fantastic way to wrap up our first day of travels. 

Jenna and Kristin 

All the girls pose in front of the church entrance

Group bonding over hacky sack

Linda, Janet, Barb and Rachel demonstrate proper eating etiquette

Alex and Jake relax while playing cards

We are in Kentucky!

We have safely arrived at Trinity United Methodist Church.  Dinner preparations are underway.  Nancy and Rachel are working on dessert.  Expect a fuller report later this evening.

Thank you for your prayers.  Please keep them heading our way.

Barbara