Category Archives: SOWER Projects 2023

On the Road, SOWER Projects, SOWER Projects 2023, The Adventure

Happy faces and tight spaces

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I can’t say that we crammed our spare time this month with lots of sightseeing and touristy things. But we still had some lovely highlights.
First the Happy Faces!
We were able to connect with Gary’s older brother (who we found out about less than a year ago!) early in the month which was very special!
Gary and Lou
We were able to tour a nearby SOWER project and have a lovely visit with dear SOWER friends, Ron & Reenie!
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We started out our SOWER project with a pizza night –
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and the gang of us checked out a local ice cream spot for my birthday! Yumm!
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And then just yesterday (wait. was it only yesterday???), we ladies had a delicious lunch out at an eclectic cafe in Lumberton
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and did a little thrift shop shopping. Always a favorite activity!!
And just in the nick of time we got together for our Group Picture.
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It was great working with a couple we’d worked with early in our SOWER days, and just as great working with a couple who are  starting out on their SOWER journey! It was such a good month!

But about those Tight Spaces –
While the guys were working on that big drywall job, Gary got stuck in some pretty small spaces.
There was this teeny-tiny alcove that needed to be finished off.
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Pretty squishy! But he got ‘er done!
And then there was this little bit of plumbing that needed to be done. Behind the ice machine!
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I just never know where I’m going to find my guy!

And for a real-time update – we’re safely parked at the Georgia Welcome Center on I95 just outside of Savannah. We’re on our way for a week of camping before we go into our next project! We don’t often do this, so I’ll keep you posted on how it all works out!

Till next time – thanks for stopping by!
Steph

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Another one

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It’s hard to believe, but another SOWER project wraps up tomorrow!! It might be that I’m just getting older, but these three weeks go by so fast these days! We were the Group Leaders (project facilitators) this month, so here’s a little summary of what we accomplished!
The guys worked steady and hard on finishing off a storage area that was built around a couple of walk-in boxes.
It started out like this –
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and moved to this…
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(attic stairs installed)
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getting started on the insulation –

then the drywall…
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and the ceiling drywall…
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and the mudding…
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and the sanding…
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Let me tell you what, these guys worked hard!! Gary slipped away a couple of times to look as some electrical or plumbing issues, and he also worked on getting their “Rolling Chapel” ready for some new paint. But finishing up that room was highest on the priority list!
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By the end of the day tomorrow (Thursday, our last day), those walls should be ready to paint! But that will be for the next batch of volunteers!
We ladies had a little more diversity – mostly due to the weather! The painting chores they had lined up for us were all outdoors,
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and some mornings it was just too cold to paint!
So we enjoyed a little kitchen work
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and some general housekeeping (no pictures of that – mopping, sweeping, dusting….you know the drill)
One morning we got to help out with their “Release Program”, where they are able to go into the public schools and (with permission from the school and the parents, of course) take the children off campus (in this case across the street)
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for a time of Bible teaching!
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We were basically crowd control, but what a joy it was to see this wonderful facet of the Children’s Bible Ministry in action.

Of course, it wasn’t all work and no play – but I think I’ll save that for another day! I’m pretty sure I should be getting this girl packed up to move tomorrow after we finish our SOWER day! Time to tidy up and put away all the extraneous Stuff that accumulates during the month!
(But really, I’m just heading to bed! Tomorrow is another (busy!) day!)
Sweet dreams, friends,
Steph

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On the Road, Pictures of the Adventure, RV Life, SOWER Projects, SOWER Projects 2023, The Adventure

Moving Day

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We got an early start,
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driving separately since our first stop was to have the truck tires rotated at a Costco outside of Charlotte. Once the tire chore was done we hooked up the truck and set out for our final leg!
Did some big roads
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and some not so big roads.
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The drive was not without a bit of stress – we each chose the wrong way to go (once per leg of the trip), but they were correctable without too much trouble. We arrived safely in late afternoon, and are now settled in our lovely new neighborhood! The other two couples are arriving tomorrow and then we’ll all be good to go!
So thankful that once again for traveling mercies – something we never, never, no never, take for granted!
Steph

 

PS – for a little more info on where we are, hop over to the Where Are We Now page!

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One by One

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The sun came up today and one
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by one
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by one
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the neighborhood emptied out until only we were left.
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While they were heading off to their next destination, we spent the day doing our pre-trip laundry, cleaning, and packing. And then we finished off the day with a community dinner with the missionaries and their families.
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So lovely to end our time here with more missional inspiration! And some delicious “breakfast for dinner” treats!

Tomorrow will be an early start for us as we make our way south and east to our November SOWER project at Camp Grace in Fairmont, NC. It’s just a little over 200 miles, and even with a stop to get the truck tires rotated at a Costco outside of Charlotte, we should be at our destination by the afternoon. New location for us, some new SOWERs to work with (and some we’ve worked with several times before) – let the adventure continue!

Thanks for stopping by!
Steph
 

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Extra Blessings

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Every project blesses us in different ways. This month’s project, CIT (Center for Intercultural Training), has blessed us in many ways, but perhaps the most memorable way was during our morning devotions. For the first week different CIT staff members came and shared their stories of how God brought them to CIT (most have served on the foreign mission field) and what God is doing in their lives now. And then these last two weeks participants in the current training course came to share their hearts and God stories. Each of these folks – young, mid-life, single, married with littles – are headed overseas – Japan, Asia, England, Europe, South America – and are part of many different mission agencies. But each of them had such a heart for the lost and the unreached. We were so inspired by their journeys so far – and the vision they cast for years to come. And then two days each week we were able to also join them for a meal, where we were able to see them in a less structured setting for more conversation. And maybe snuggle a baby or two! Sometimes in our happy little bubble of serving at Christian ministries we forget about the larger picture of the millions of people who have never heard the Good News of the Gospel. This month was a beautiful reminder of the fields ready for harvest – and the workers that are setting out to fulfill that Great Commission. And that even if we can’t physically go, we can fervently pray for those who can!

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:18-20

These are the prayer cards from several of the folks that we’ve met these last few weeks. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayers for these servants!
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