As March came to a close, our normal activities at Faith expanded to include preparations for Lent observances and Easter Sunday celebrations.   There were more comings and goings among the Nomad volunteers and we found ourselves once again surrounded by some energetic youngsters helping out on their Spring Break.
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Fixing Up
 
A few different projects that had been lingering for several weeks came to a conclusion over the past 2 weeks.  Cathy and Karen completed a review (with a little help from Jahaziel) of the irrigation zones and ensured all the heads were functioning and pointing in the right direction.  Dave and Ken managed to work out a solution to a persistent drain blockage in the new Pre-school room.  It was more involved than we had hoped for, since they had to cut a slice through the sidewalk only to find a 6” diameter root that ran straight down the channel they had just cut out.  Despite the setbacks, the drain was installed and this problem eliminated for now.    But the most exciting accomplishment was one we didn’t actually do.  Dave had worked to arrange the donation of a new vinyl floor for the school’s lunchroom.  With this change, they would be able to serve hot lunches.  When we got the call that the installer would arrive early on Easter Saturday morning, the room was quickly transformed.  Several of us had worked hard to remove the old carpet and it was a thrill to see the new floor go down and finish the job.

​Dave found himself exercising his computer skills more than usual as he was asked to assist the church with its website.  That led him to build a new one using Weebly and to train several church members to maintain different aspects of it.  He met with Jim, the current webmaster to understand the existing website and to help make the transition.  When not working on the website or doing another part buying search, he was spending time with Pastor Rigo to help him move forward his application for local pastor credentials.  

​Late in the week before Palm Sunday, we were visited for 2 consecutive days by some enthusiastic local volunteers on their Spring Break.  While planning for their activities, we included Pastor Rigo’s younger son, Jahaziel who was equally enthusiastic about planning and leading the group.  He hauled equipment to the house being rented by World Relief and made lists of tasks and supplies we needed.  It was a good thing too, since it took 3 or 4 of us to keep up with all they were doing.  Several truckloads of scrap metal were recycled, and we took several loads of trash to the dumpster.  A huge pile of logs were split and stacked, several heavy landscape timbers moved and a pretty flower bed was planted in front of the house.  The field next to the house was mowed a second time as well.   After they left, we found ourselves back at the house to make some more repairs – a door had delaminated and needed replacing, and the exterior sewer drain pipe broke and had to be replaced quickly.

​There was continuing work on painting, powerwashing and repairs.  Some of the more noticeable work was the powerwashing of the stone pillars that front the property.    The difference was pretty dramatic.  When not working outside, some of us found plenty to do in the kitchen.  During the spring break week, Kim’s Open Door program held an art camp, with 40 kids to be fed each day.  As a thank you, we were invited to their closing program on Saturday, which was full of energy and very uplifting.  (And there was food too.)  Kitchen duties continued the next Wednesday when we stepped in to pinch hit for the cook handling the Wednesday Seder meal.  This formal meal has a larger crowd of about 70 people, and when the cook called in sick, we chopped, diced, and cooked all day to get the meal on the table.  It went pretty smoothly considering the last minute change in chefs.
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We had 2 Nomads leave us during the last 2 weeks as Cheryl and Karen headed for home.  Also, Don spent an unexpected few days in the hospital as he worked to clear an excess of fluid from his lungs.  We were all glad to see him return for Palm Sunday services, looking much like his old self.  And just before Easter, we had a surprise visit from Pat Manley who flew down for the weekend to escape the cold weather and enjoy time with Fred and the rest of us.  It was a joy to see her and spend time together.

Off Hours
 
Cathy used much of her time off to complete 3 more panels for the boat’s enclosure.  However, she did break away long enough to see a “Living Last Supper” presentation at Fort Caroline UMC that was excellent.  Dave joined the rest of the Nomads and some church members for a trip to the Florida UM Children’s Home in Enterprise FL.  This location hosts Nomads projects as well, so it gave him a chance to see the beautiful facility, learn about the programs they offer and see what the campground looks like for the Nomads.  (And there was food there of course too.)

We also joined the Spanish congregation one Saturday to celebrate a young man’s 10th birthday.  This was a significant celebration, since it was his first birthday party.  He had a wonderful time, as did the rest of us.

​With a bumper crop of Nomads still here at Faith this March, the list of completed tasks is growing longer each day.  Some days it’s hard to keep track of all that’s being accomplished.  Our numbers also swelled for a day with an energetic group of UT students on their Spring Break trip.  

Project Work
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With a dozen volunteers staying here at Faith, we have our hands full keeping them organized onto tasks and supplied with needed materials.  There is a group of 3 or 4 whose primary focus has been powerwashing and painting / staining.  This group has transformed the courtyard deck and picnic tables, refreshed the peeling paint on the front of Asbury Hall and Peeler, and various smaller touchups around the campus.  

Another 2 or 3 focus on electrical tasks, which range from small tasks like replacing a GFI outlet to major ones like installing the new service for the planned storage areas in the Peeler building.  As the containers arrived that are to become Peeler’s new annex, Ron, Karen and Pat worked steadily for several days through the weekend to install lights and the main circuit panel before Ron and Pat had to leave for their home in Iowa.

The rest of the team moves around as needed, including both of us.  There is a lot of ground to cover – literally and figuratively.  Karen and Cathy have been working their way through the irrigation zones (there are 8), and replacing or adjusting the sprinkler heads so that they will water the grass, not the sidewalks or parking lots.  Three have been done so far.  Dave and Ken have spent several days attempting to clear a blockage that has developed in the drain for the new day care sinks.  So far with no good success, but certainly not for lack of trying.  We have sorted and organized tools, replaced glass in broken windows, installed shelves, replaced thermostats, and even assisted with the return of residents displaced by the fire last December back to their apartments, including washing a dozen loads of musty clothes and linens.  When one of the church members built a new 6ft cross to install on the church grounds, you can guess who was there to dig the hole to install it and to run the power for the lights.  That’s right.

While our list of finished tasks grows steadily despite the occasional aches and pains, it was still impressive to see what a dozen motivated college students could accomplish in just a morning.  Sponsored by World Relief, the group of University of Tennessee students on an Alternative Spring Break trip arrived on a cold (for Florida) rainy Monday and were undeterred by the inclement weather.  Divided into 4 teams, they attacked their respective tasks with enthusiasm and good humor.  We dismantled an old shed that used to cover the well, mowed the grass in the field next to the Burmese garden, picked up half a dozen large bags of trash ( including a Walmart cart from the creek behind the campground), and dug out the valve boxes for the irrigation system that had vanished in the year since they were installed.  It was hard to keep ahead of them.  And they were a wonderful group to work with.  

Boat Stuff:
 
We continue to squeeze in boat projects.  Cathy finished the new windshield for the boat and began working on a couple of side panels.  In the meantime, Dave inspected the navigation and anchor lights on the boat and cleaned connections as necessary to ensure they were working reliably.    
 

​I know.  Another cat picture. 
 
We received an unsettling reminder that these creatures we think are so loveable have a dark side.  When several birds flew into the windows and didn’t survive, the cats – even Hemingway – couldn’t resist “playing” with them.