Venice, FL – SYP – July 27 – Aug. 2, 2025

Pennsylvania came to Venice, Florida, and worked hard to complete all our houses that needed to be finished.  The group of 10 youths were led by Ryan and Kristen Horst and Mitchell and Alyssa Horst.  They worked and learned new skills in building as they greatly contributed to finishing all the projects left in Venice.  Working long and hard, with a little overtime by our Project Director Eric, and our year-long volunteers Maik, Mary Joyce, Lucinda and Adam, we completed the outstanding projects left on our schedule.  Plus, we did a few extra things to make the homeowners happy.  God blessed our work and helped us learn from our errors, as each home in its own way is unique.

We were joined at the beginning of the week with 2 additional year-long volunteers, Adam and Lucinda.  They came to help with the completion of the projects as well as the tearing down and packing up the base site for everything to be shipped back to either Lititz or Mississippi.

Monday morning, we started the day with a visit from John and Hilda from United Way Long Term Recovery.  Then a good breakfast from our cooks Ina and Roger.  We always had a devotion given by one of the young people every morning, which put our hearts and minds in the temperament we needed to work together to accomplish big tasks.  Then off to work.  We had 3 work crews all week long to finish the open projects, which we did till the end of work on Friday.  They enjoyed the beach one evening after a long hot day of work, which was well deserved.

Friday, David Kanagey and his wife came to visit and help tear down the base site at the Lakeside Lutheran Church.  They worked in the morning along with some of the youth and then David spent the rest of the day helping Eric with final touch ups at one of the sites.

And as I write this almost everything is packed up and in trailers.  I still need to finish with the computer and printer and then I will pack it up too.  I think of the many people in just 2 ½ weeks that I have met and cared for.  I see Pam and Cecil and how grateful they are for the work we did and the friendships they made with the crew members that worked at their home.  I see Thomas Shultz as he can now take care of his wife better because of the improvements we have done, as well as for Ana in her newly remodeled home.  None of us know what life has in store for us, but one thing we are sure of that Jesus is always there to lead and guide and protect us.  We just need to trust in Jesus.

Thanks to MDS who made this all possible and especially to Eric who was a wonderful Project Director.  He persevered through many obstacles big and small and completed the task set before him.  You were a great Project Director.  Job well done and to everyone our thanks!

Sincerely,

Judy Bird

Office Manager