Barre, VT – July 14-20, 2024

Work projects this week centered around a lot of digging.  A great deal of mucking went on this week.  Some of the mud was wet and heavy, making for a very dirty job.  Other jobs were not quite so dirty as removal of muck in some of the basements was mostly sand.  Not only were mud and sand removed; the ceiling and wall paneling were removed from one basement.  A saturated mattress and other personal belongings were taken out.  Volunteers also took out a pile of wood and restacked that.  The bathroom and bedroom had to be torn out, and the water heater and furnace were removed.  Robert remembered everyone’s name and asked for prayer from the group.  A special relationship was formed.  At another house they took out a freezer and other large items.  The area to the electrical panel needed to be cleared of muck.  On Thursday morning nearly everyone was involved in a “mucking party.”  Much was accomplished with everyone working together.

More digging took place at another house.  What started as one French drain multiplied to four drains!  Yes, more digging.  Inside, flooring work and trim work were completed.

The Ropp family took over the kitchen with Emily directing what needed to be done.  Mother Joyce and niece Lena not only helped prepare breakfasts and suppers.  They also spent the days at work sites.  Dad Ken was sous-chef and sister Beth joined in mid-week.  She also experienced several hours at a job site.  A fellow MDS cook, Lois Wenger, from New York, came to join Emily for half a day.  She made a batch of delicious cookies!

Work at Numa’s brought to fruition Eric’s goal of getting hot and cold water into the shower for Numa and Georgina.  It had been more than a year since they had been able to take a hot shower in their home.  Volunteers put up drywall and insulation, and flooring was installed in various locations in the house.  Numa and his wife joined us for supper one evening last week.  They were most grateful for MDS’s work.

On Friday several folks unloaded a truckload of donated materials—food, clothing, personal care items, and more.  Then it all was organized and placed around the gym.  They were careful not to interfere with the pickleball court.

Eric’s year-long term with MDS came to an end.  His meticulous work and his teaching skills to volunteers will be missed.  “Work safe, be safe,” Eric.

From Barre—Herb, Tim, Edith, Emily, Eric, Rex and Bill