When we arrived at the RV park at Baptist Park Camp we were met with a warm welcome from the other SOWER’s and this sign, “Welcome Dennis & Lorree”. How special this made us feel! The other three couples were already one week into this project since we took a week off for Lorree to heal and recover from her surgery. (See previous posts) . They made us feel a part of the team right from the start, what a warm unexpected blessing!
We were delighted to serve with Terry & Donna Mascho (GL’s), Ken & Brenda Diller, and Larry & Guylaine Lokker (first timers). We had served with Terry & Donna previously at Lake Placid in February, 2020. What a fun hard working group of servants!
Our project was to continue work on this “Pastors Cabin”. We learned from Scott the Camp Director of Operations, that it had already been a long 3 year project, adding to it a little at a time. Our list included: finish the roofing, add siding, square up the interior walls, set the tub, install electrical, and rough in the plumbing. Scott said, “just do what you can”. We said, “Let’s bring this project up a few notches and get it re-launched!” The guys had already accomplished a lot of prep work so when we arrived, the roofing and some of the interior walls were next to do. We were making it happen and having FUN! I learned a lot about roofing and siding on this project that I can add to my skill list, always learning from others!
The gals were also VERY busy! They tackled cleaning and re-staining decks, painting inside bathrooms, cleaning and mending curtains, scraping and re-painting the children’s play equipment. Lorree was able to help do some painting by the third week of the project (our second week). They were a great team and kept checking tasks off their list.
“MOOSE!” This group of SOWERS loved to get together, every morning for devotions and again every evening for a shared meal and games. During one of those morning times, Terry looked out the window and yelled, MOOSE!” All of us wanted to see a moose at some point and God provided! Every one jumped up and started taking pictures as she strolled across the field. Even though it was a young yearling, it was a very large animal. We were so excited! We all got to check that off our bucket list!
Then we were introduced to Fiddleheads and wild moose meat. Fiddleheads are the tightly coiled tips of certain ferns. Scott’s wife, Brenda, steamed cooked these and served them with butter and/or a splash of vinegar. They reminded us of asparagus – they were very tasty! The moose meat steaks were juicy, tender, and didn’t have any gamey taste – also very delicious!
We made real progress on the cabin. The roofing is done, the siding is done, walls were squared away inside, windows re-attached and leveled, interior plumbing and drain lines done, and water lines tested for leaks – none to be found! Scott was overjoyed – and so thankful for our hard work! God was so good to give us the strength, wisdom and brought an amazing team together to make such a great accomplishment!
Our GL’s, Terry & Brenda, introduced us to “campfire donuts”. First, the guys made a Swedish candle. A Swedish Candle, aka Swedish Fire Log or Swedish Fire Torch, is basically a log sliced partially down like a cake. The slots are stuffed with kindling (we used birch bark) and then lit. The fire burned hot in the center as the slots allowed air to rush in. We used a leaf blower to make some REAL flames for this outdoor fire!
OH SO GOOD! We took Pillsbury grands biscuits , cut out the center and deep fried them in oil in a Dutch oven pot over the Swedish Fire. They were shaken in a bag with cinnamon sugar or powdered sugar to be coated. (We used to cook biscuit-donuts like this at home on the stove with our kids and the taste brought back all those memories!) YUM! As you can see, I may have eaten more than one – LOL!
One last thing Scott asked for was if we could make some signs for a few of the buildings on campus. Dennis was able to use his artistic talent and completed these signs. The gals wanted sunflowers on the SOWER sign, so he added them. Just like the sunflowers follow the sun…. SOWERs follow the Son!
We ended our project with a meal together with Scott & Brenda. It was their anniversary, so we had to celebrate! Great memories, great new friends, all serving a Great God together!
Just like these unique sunsets (no, that’s not a fire) this project was so unique. We had another great adventure serving in God’s Kingdom with very special people. We feel so blessed and humbled that God called us to this ministry and gave us the time and resources to live this out. We always wonder, “what’s next?”