RED BIRD MISSION WORK CAMP

Beverly, KY Oct 31-Nov 6, 2004

The VIM Team's mission task was to choose, pay for and complete several projects that involved working on community housing, Campus projects, Buildings and Grounds or maintenance.  To accomplish these tasks the Team was split into three work groups.  The first group (Rich Dendler, Dick Edler, Larry Hartman and Sara Senft) were given the task of replacing 2 doors and 2 windows at the Russell Mitchell residence.  Additionally, they did finish painting on a room addition at the home of Alice Hubbard.

The second group (Bob Emrick, Don Kenne, Lanita Pride and Marty Wennermark) worked all week to install aluminum fascia and vinyl soffit on a staff residence at the Queendale Campus.  A major part of the job entailed removal and reinstallation of the guttering.

The third group (Frankie Dendler, Paul Wennermark and Steve Williams) were put on a task of finishing another community residence project at the home of Mark and Abbey Grubb in the Otter Creek “holler” area.  A couple leaks into the house from the roof shingles installation were fixed with roofing cement.  The gutter and downspout installation done by a previous team, on the front of the house, had to be redone due to leaks.  Other new work completed were replacement of two windows in the kitchen and installation of 4 gutter and downspout sections on the rear of the house.

Good Christian fellowship might best describe the main purpose of this Volunteers In Mission Trip.  The many elements of this fellowship included: daily morning chapel time, mealtime with other staff and team members, interaction with community members being helped, nighttime activities of orientation to the Red Bird Mission, and a final Friday night of Communion and bonfire goodbyes.

Project costs budgeted from FFG-UMC funds and VIM team member contributions were $4,700.  This figure included $2,200 toward project materials and supplies with the balance going toward team expenses for food, lodging and transportation.

Persons responsible for project planning and leadership included: David Bruns, Red Bird Mission Work Camp Coordinator and Paul Wennermark, VIM Team Leader.  Consensus of VIM Team members was so positive on the ministry of Red Bird Mission and on the mission experience, that discussions started before the end of the week about a return to Red Bird Mission in 2005.