Category Archives: SOWER Projects 2023

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

In the News

October 6, 2023 steph Leave a comment

Well, not exactly the new news – but at least it’s something in print!

Several months ago we were contacted by a journalist with the InSite magazine – a publication of the Christian Camp and Conference Association (CCCA) – about the relationship between volunteers and camps. We really enjoyed the interview (via Zoom), and I was very thankful that we were sent the copy before it went to press! There were several inaccuracies in the original draft, but they kindly let me clarify things. The article was published in the most recent edition, and we picked up a copy of the magazine at one of our Texas projects. If you’d like to read the article, you can find it HERE! You might find some familiar faces!

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

One Week In

October 5, 2023 steph 1 Comment

And just like that – our first work week is over! And my, what a good week it has been. CIT is starting one of their equipping courses next week, so we ladies were kept busy freshening up their dorm rooms.
There were kitchens

and bathrooms

and lots and lots of rooms!

Since this building had previously been an orphanage dormitory, the center has worked very hard to get away from the ‘institutional’ feel. And I think they’ve done a really good job!

Although I must confess that housekeeping in not my favorite job, it was (a) fun to do with friends and (b) worthwhile to think that we were a small part of equipping folks to be more effective missionaries!
The guys were working on a lots of different jobs! Primarily they were working on completing one of the apartment in their apartment complex.

There was wiring to fix,

doors to be hung,

ditches to be reconstructed

and of course, the plumbing to be plumbed!

It was a full week for all of us – and I think we are all looking forward to the weekend!
Which thankfully for us – starts tomorrow!

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

A little Union Mills history

October 2, 2023 steph 2 Comments

We learned some history this morning about our SOWER project this month – the Center for Intercultural Training where missionaries who are poised to enter their chose field can “receive strategic missionary training on how to transition to new cultures, overcome the unique challenges of living overseas, and help prepare hearts for the Gospel.” It was very interesting to hear how this ministry developed over the years, and also to hear what a positive impact this program has had on different mission groups. But what sent me to the internet to “learn more” was the fact that previous to the ministry being located here, this campus was an orphanage. Now that I needed to learn more about!
It was in 1925 that a Mr. J.F. Alexander agreed purchasing a failing private school and the surrounding acreage. The name was changed at that time to “Alexander Schools, Incorporated, for Motherless Children” (ASI). Its name contained the word, “Schools” because it was to contain three: (1) a school of industry, including weaving and associated arts, (2) a school of nursing, and (3) a combination of an elementary and a high school. The “for Motherless Children” was later dropped from the name.

It continued in operation until 1975, when it closed for good. After that, the property went through several different owners, sat empty for several years and a couple of buildings were deeded to the community. Today CIT owns 28 of those original acres and about 11 of the original buildings.

If you’d like to learn a bit more about this little slice of North Carolina history, you can check out these websites (from whence I got my information!)
Carolina Crossroads
Alexander Schools Inc – a History
We’ll be working in those buildings for the next three weeks – and it will be fun to imagine all of those children who grew up here!

Pictures of the Adventure, RV Life, Sewing/Quilting Projects, SOWER Projects, SOWER Projects 2023, The Adventure

A Different Plan

August 16, 2023 steph 3 Comments

We were disappointed when we got the call in June that we had been canceled out of our August SOWER project at Shoshanah Ministry in upstate NY. Apparently the ministry realized they did not have enough work for five SOWER couples, so the last two that signed up were canceled. We fell into that category. This was the second time we had tried to serve there, the first being the summer of 2020. (And we all knowÂ New York wasn’t letting anyone into the state that summer!) We had been looking forward to serving there, getting to know several SOWERs we hadn’t yet met, enjoying many of the classes the institute offers, and exploring a new area. But (once again) it wasn’t to be.
We regrouped quickly, though, and signed up for High Braes Refuge – also a new-to-us project in a new-to-us area of NY. But we were going to be the only SOWERs there.
Turns out it was a practically perfect combination!

This is a relatively small ministry, with essentially one main building.

And we were a small group. Just the two of us! They had one big project they were hoping we could accomplish – renovating a bathroom and repainting the guest room where it was located.
As sometimes happen, when Gary didn’t need me, there wasn’t a lot of other SOWER work for me to do. Sometimes that can be frustrating. I mean, after all, we came to help. But this month having a ‘modified’ work schedule seemed just about perfect. Some mornings I would go to work with Gary to see if I could help with anything, and some mornings I would just hang back at home and he would call me if I was needed. Once they got to the paint stage, my work hours ramped up.

But still – it’s a small empty room so it went pretty quickly.

Once the painting was done, then came the floors

and then the trim

and I think by the end of today, even the toilet was installed. But again – no photographic evidence of that! There’s always tomorrow, right? Lots of cleaning up was done today – along with gathering and organizing all the tools.Â Due to some groups coming in over the next couple of days, we won’t be able to get the guest room painted, but overall I know our hosts were pleased with the work that got done.

But while the guys (Gary and Jeff (the host)) were busy in the manor house, I was taking full advantage of my mornings at home.
I got the SOWER newsletter put together TWO DAYS EARLY. I don’t think that has ever happened!
I got caught up with lots of computer/bookkeeping and housekeeping/clothes sorting chores and even put together a couple of bags of clothes to go to the local thrift store. That felt pretty good!
But my biggest joy was being about to pull out the sewing machine and work on a quilt for one of my granddaughters! She and I had shopped for the fabric when we were together in July, and those beautiful fabrics had been calling to me ever since!

The top is complete, and I’m really pleased with how it turned out! It still needs to be quilted, but I’m excited that I was able to get it this far!

So our August was different than what we had originally planned. But of course, our LORD knew just what we needed!

The heart of man plans his was, but the LORD establishes his steps.
Proverbs 16:9

Amen!

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

Halfway

August 8, 2023 steph Leave a comment

It’s hard to believe, but we’re already halfway through this project. And the bathroom renovation is coming right along. Here’s a photo-a-day (or 2) of the job –

Job assignment – move the door and the sink so a new shower can be installed. It sounded pretty simple to me, but Gary knew it was going to be a big job!
Day One –

It started with a ‘delicate demo’ since we were trying to save as much of the trim as possible. But by the end of the day the fixtures had been removed and Gary was beginning to remove the many layers of flooring that had to come up to be able to move the plumbing for the sink.

Day two – finally got all of the plumbing exposed.

Still fighting the flooring though!

Day 3 – beginning to move the plumbing and adding boards to the joists to adjust the floor height.

(The hole in the floor is where Gary fell through. I was back at the rig and got this text – “Bring the first aid kit.” Oh, my! A pretty big abrasion down his shin and a good size gash on his arm, but we patched him up and he went back to work. He’s healing up just fine!)
Day 4 – the new plumbing was moving right along…

and the new door opening was cut.

Also – the floor was beginning to be laid! Yea!!!

Day 4.5
He put in a couple of extra hours on Friday and got some framing done for the new door and the new wall.

Day 5 – Let’s hear it for a solid floor!!

Day 5 addendum – This was also the first time in our 19 years that we evacuated the RV due to a tornado warning. We hunkered down in the neatest basement I have ever seen on a SOWER project. We weren’t there for long – and were thankful that although the rain persisted through the night, the tornado watch/warnings were no longer an issue.

Day 6 – By lunchtime today the electric was roughed in and the plumbing was ready for fixtures.

Just waiting for the drywall and flooring!
Rumor has it some drywall was installed this afternoon, but I didn’t get back to document that, so I’ll just have to take Gary’s word for it. But he’s a trustworthy guy, so I’m sure it happened.
So that brings us up to date! I’ve been on light duty this week, mostly staying home but always ready to come when he needs an extra set of hands (or the first aid kit!). But once the finish work kicks in (i.e. painting), I’ll know I’ll be doing double duty so all will even out!