Elk, WA – Dec. 7- 12, 2025

Once again, time seems to fly by, another week has passed, another weekly group came as strangers and left as brothers and sisters.

On Sunday evening we were greeted by the team from Saskatchewan, led by Peter Matens.

The team was comprised of Peter and Agatha along with 8 very energetic youth and young adults.

Along with their energy came a high degree of respect for the leadership and gratefulness for our role in their lives at this time.

Monday morning arrived, a hearty breakfast was consumed, devotions occurred and work

assignments were made. Work continued on the siding at Steve’s home. Plumbing work done

on Bill’s home and trusses placed on Linda’s home #3.

Despite some rainy weather, the work continued as the week progressed. By Thursday work resumed on what we affectionately call the Ziggy house, the second smaller home on the lot on Bridges Road. By the end of the week, sub floor had been laid and several exterior walls raised.

Homes #1 and #2 are ready for rough in electric. When completed they will be inspected and when passed

be ready for the inside work to begin in January. The key is to see the green sticker in the electrical box. Joel, the electrician, says this process takes about a week. Sound familiar, yes two homes ready for inside work come January!!

A group of ten from New York will be here next week. House #3 will be ready for siding on Monday morning. On House #4, framing will proceed all week. Our goal will be to have that home weather tight by the end of the week.

Again, as I reflect on the work of MDS as we proceed, our work is bathed in prayer, prayers not

just from us here locally but from across rivers and valleys not bounded by national boundaries.

As we meet as leadership prior to the arrival of our new weekly volunteers it is easy to look back

to the past week and the work that occurred. As that begins to occur, I will turn that boat

towards the new week reminding all that our Heavenly Father, the creator, is in control. He goes

before us. So, let’s look at how He has arranged for just the right skills to arrive to move us on into

our new week.

If I may, I would like to quote Phil Menikus, who was my mentor in Immokalee

Florida. As we parted ways, he looked me in the eye and stated “Rollie, pray and allow the

Holy Spirit to go before you.” Advice that is well taken and proving sound in Elk, WA.

Rollie Ulrich – Elk Project Director