Elk, WA – Nov. 9-14, 2025

An energetic group of teens from Eastern Mennonite High School in Harrisonburg, VA, along with three sponsors, joined us for the week. One team worked on house wrap, sheathing, foam, set interior walls, finished the deck, and leveled the ground for scaffolding at site #2.

At site #1, another team put in blocking and straps, installed the front gable, began window installation and exterior insulation, and worked on house wrap and foam board.

This week we also welcomed seven weekly volunteers from Montana, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and California who joined our three crew leaders to continue framing houses #1 and #2. By the end of the week, trusses were set on house #1 and outside walls were up on house #2. Our group included a contractor with more than 40 years of experience as well as others with no construction experience. As usual, those with experience were willing to offer explanations and instructions, and the work on floor joists, decking, posts, subfloor, and trusses went smoothly.

The foundation we installed for house #3 has been assigned to a Holdeman disaster aid group called Christian Public Service (CPS). That group installed a foundation for our third house this week and will do the foundations for the rest of the houses assigned to MDS. Permit requests are underway for our fourth and fifth houses.

On Wednesday evening, the homeowners from site #1 joined us for a flavorful Massaman Curry supper. They told us about their experience with the fire that destroyed everything they owned. “But,” she said, “we saved the most important things we have, our children, grandchildren, and animals.”

Several months before the fire, she packed three “to go” bags: one for her and her husband, one for her children, and one for her animals. When they evacuated, those were the three things they grabbed along with some photographs and personal items. They were able to return to their property about 24 hours after evacuating and had to walk through hot coals to see if anything could be recovered.

All our volunteer groups have gotten acquainted with one of her animals. Coti is a full-blooded wolf, rescued as a pup. She told us how he was found and what he represents in her Native American culture.

On Thursday evening, several teens took cold plunges in the icy Deer Lake adjacent to the camp.

During Thursday’s devotions, one of our crew leaders announced his joy at becoming a first-time grandpa on Wednesday night. His family, including the prospective parents, had been told the baby would be a girl. To their surprise, “she” was a boy.

We welcomed Don Nelson from Lancaster, PA, as our new crew leader for the next three weeks. We also met our new Area Coordinator, Clark Upton, from Portland, OR.

On Saturday, four of us followed the Columbia River into British Columbia. The mountain passes were beautiful with six to eight inches of fresh snow.

Next week, we welcome a group of ten adults from Madison Mennonite Church in Madison, WI. They will help move us toward our goal of six houses under roof by December 20, and we hope to get at least one of the houses closed in.