Conroe, TX – June 1-7, 2025

This week’s long term volunteers included the six yearlong volunteers, Adam Blough, Lucinda Shirk, Mary Joyce Wise from NY, Maik Hinz from Germany, Katie & Jonathon Snyder from IN as well as Rose Kilmer, Sarah Zimmerman from MO and Don & Rachel Horst from KS.   Joining us was EMU student Ruach Deng from South Sudan and a team of young ladies from Wisconsin, bringing our total volunteer count to 22.

Repairs needing done to complete the work at the Mills house included the installation of transition strips and finishing touches of caulking on the trim.  After several days of painting and installing trim, the work at the Thurman house was completed.  Another team worked on mudding, painting and texturizing the bedroom ceiling and installing flooring at the Garney house.  At the Williams house, many hands were busy repairing and hanging drywall, mudding and installing several doors.

Highlights of the week included surviving some heavy rains, playing volleyball, spikeball and lots of Rook games.  One morning, Sarah, our assistant cook, treated us to Texas shaped pancakes.  Several mornings the girls blessed us with the singing of some of their favorite songs.  On Friday, a lively birthday greeting was sung for our head cook, Rose.  The accompaniment of the accordion almost didn’t happen as the strap for the bass keyboard tore, but our Project Director came to the rescue, using his ingenuity and the repurposing of a paper clip to give it a sturdy repair.

Next week we hope to finish up the work on the Williams and Garney homes as well as begin work at the Essman home repairing the porch and building a ramp.

Reporting for the Conroe team, Rachel Horst