Day 4 | Michelle Shaver

We started the floor and it lacks two rows to be complete. We end the day to be back by 430 so whatever is not complete stays that way until tomorrow. There was a breeze today outside making it a little better than several of the other days. We took a quick trip to the Bay and I got my feet wet and watched the kids play in the water. It was a good evening to be out.

Day 3 | Michelle Shaver

We were at the same house today. It was nice to get some color on the wall. It made the room look like it was coming together. I think we are laying the floor tomorrow. It was nice to hear about the home owner and learn a little bit about the person who’s house we are working on. I can feel some of the muscles I don’t use a lot but it is worth it to know the home owner will appreciate the outcome.

Day 2 | Michelle Shaver

We went to a different house today. It was a 45 minute drive from where we are staying. Today’s task was painting. We primed the entire room and painted the ceiling twice. While we waited for the paint to dry we sanded molding. The weather is humid and hot. I was thankful they had fans in the room today for the breeze.

Day 1 | Michelle Shaver

I have a love/hate relationship with the early departure time. I hate getting up early but it offers the experience of seeing how beautiful the sky looks and changes color. One really cool thing I saw on the way down was an alligator lounging in the river. The place we are staying at resembles a gym with two rooms built into it and of course a bathroom. The girls room has 10 bunk beds. I was glad someone said kids on top. I guess that is one of the perks of getting old. Today’s job was painting trim. I mostly stayed on a ladder and did the top part. The house we painted was on stilts and you could feel it move as we worked. The one part that scared me a little was when I had to trim over the shower. The shower was on the second floor and I asked how he wanted me to paint it because I could not reach. He told me to stick the ladder in the shower or get a stool. I ended up sticking the ladder in the shower. If you looked down, there wasn’t any pipes in the bottom so I could see the ground. I felt if there was too much weight placed in the shower I would end up on the ground. I learned today that I was not trimming. I was cutting the room. He told us we were going to cut the room. I had no clue what he was taking about. Now I do.

Day 8 | Michelle Shaver

Yesterday was our day off. It was fun but long. We went to Yellowstone National Park. I would have to say my favorite thing about the whole trip was looking at the mountains. I know we have mountains at home but the view is definitely not the same. Today was my first day at VBS. Andrew and I were in charge of games today. They really like duck, duck, goose so we played that one and simon says. We also were able to teach them a new game which they enjoyed too. After that one of the ladies from the church who sells breakfast and lunch at the church lot made lunch for all of us and tonight there is a relative of Kenny’s coming to made dinner. On the way back from VBS we stopped by Kenny’s house and nailed down the floor to his new house he is building. Kenny’s relative is here now and has brought her family, so many of the kids are playing with her children. And some of the ladies are in the kitchen helping make dinner with her. Tomorrow is our last full day here. Not sure what we will be doing tomorrow the two jobs we have been working on are complete. I have enjoyed my time here and the people that I have meet. Can’t wait to see what we get into tomorrow.

Day 6 | Michelle Shaver

Today we were back at the church throwing rocks. It was so much better than yesterday in the fact that it was not as hot. There was shade there and thankfully a breeze most of the day. My legs got a major workout yesterday and are a little sore. I found that sitting in the dirt pile instead of squatting helped. It also helped in getting me a bit dirtier. I thought my arms would be sore because some of those rocks were so heavy. It was unbelievable to watch the young people work. I realize I don’t have as much energy as they do anymore. Emily is like the energizer bunny. She just keeps going. It is a blessing to see everyone work and with smiles. You can’t help but to smile. There is just a positive energy at our site. Today we finished our project and that was a good feeling. I think everyone was excited about that. I video chatted my family. It was so great to get to look at them. I miss them but I enjoy my work here and the people I have gotten to know.

Day 5 | Michelle Shaver

Today was long and hot. We started the day cleaning up the park that they were going to have VBS. Our next job was to clean out a section in the back of the church that had rocks and weeds in it. We were taking the rocks out, putting down a black tarp, then putting the rocks back. We had an assembly line for different parts of the job. Every time I threw one Eladio had another one to give me. It was comical if I thought too much about it. The morning passed by quickly. After lunch is when it got really hot. I think the temperature was 95 degrees today. It was a long afternoon in the heat. When the shade came on the back side of the church where we were working it made it more manageable. Also when we cleared out enough rock Micky could use the Bobcat to put rocks on the tarp which made the work go faster. I thought we accomplished a lot today and hope my arms can hold out for tomorrow.

Day 4 | Michelle Shaver

Day 3 and 4. Yesterday was a long day of traveling. We stopped at Wall Drug for about 2 hours and shopped. Then got back in the car for 5 or 6 hours. It was nice to get to the camp and unpack everything. They had just turned on the hot water and there were several of us who braved the cold shower. I thought it would be like a pool cold. I was wrong, it was colder! Nevertheless, we had a good day. Today we went to church and met some of the locals. They were very welcoming. We have several projects lined up for tomorrow and I am excited to start! We went to Yellowtail Dam and watched some of the kids’ swim. Tomorrow starts are first workday. Keep us in your prayers- we need strength for the day and the mind to push through the heat.

Day 1 | Michelle Shaver

This is my first mission trip and I am excited to be going and sharing this experience with my son. I saw the sunrise this morning. The sky was so pink and mixed with the clouds made for a beautiful start to the day. As the drive continued there was a cool fountain spraying water in the river near Dayton and we saw many wind turbines and lots and lots of corn! The van ride was quiet for the first half of the day. I wasn’t sure what to expect with seven people in the same vehicle but it turned out well and I it was great to get to talk and play games with several of the youth and Vern.