May the adventures never end

As they climbed a 205-step wooden trail staircase on Mackinaw Island, Twila and Leonard Hochstedler talked about why they love the Mennonite Disaster Service (MDS) RV Program.

The both have a sense of adventure. From Kalona, Iowa, the couple has been involved in the RV Program for about three years, serving in Grand Isle, Louisiana; Perry, Florida; and the greater Montpelier area in Vermont.

Grand Isle was their favorite so far. “We were there one month,” said Twila.

“It was nice to be by the beach,” added Leonard, with Twila chiming in, “I would walk the bridge every day, there and back.”

The MDS RV Program comprises a 55+ crowd of close-knit volunteers who bring their own RVs to an MDS project, where they work together, pray together, and play together.

The Hochstedlers enjoy all the work—and all the fun as well.

“I like when we gathered and all brought finger foods, puzzles, or games,” said Twila.

“And we’d all go out for breakfast every Saturday morning,” said Leonard.

The Hochstedlers, who first learned about the RV Program when they were volunteering with MDS in Jennings, Louisiana, have enjoyed RV travel for 25 years.

Leonard, who grew up working for his father’s plumbing and heating company, also served as a bush pilot for a missionary organization.

Twila went parasailing for her 70th birthday. “I draw the line at skydiving, though,” she said.

On September 8-11, the Hochstedlers joined 26 other RV volunteers for a reunion in Mackinaw City, Michigan, where they recalled their favorite places—and expressed hopes for their future work as well.

“Before we get home from this trip, Twila will say, ‘where are we going next?’”, predicted Leonard.