Elk, WA – Nov. 23-29, 2025

A volunteer from British Columbia joined two couples from northern Indiana as our short-term volunteers this week. They joined four long-term volunteers from northern New York, along with our three crew leaders, to form three crews.

One crew began framing our third house, and by the end of the week they had the exterior walls set. A fourth foundation and stem walls were completed for a second smaller house on that property called an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU).

House number one is dried in. Interior walls are set and siding has been started. The small deck is completed. House number two is also dried in. We are still working on decking and insulation.

This was the week for long-term volunteer transitions. Verne and Joyce Geissinger served as Project Director and Assistant Cook for November. Don Nelson was a Crew Leader along with Mary Joyce Wise. These four returned home and to other assignments on Saturday.

Coming in for December are Rollie Ulrich, Project Director; Dale Horst, Construction Supervisor; Ed Martin, Crew Leader; and Hannah Steffen, Assistant Cook. Four young adult women are also here as long-term volunteers: Kathy, Kristi, Jolene, and Jenny (all Hoovers). They join Don Yoder, Office Manager; Em Yoder, Cook; and Nate Fisher, Crew Leader.

On Thanksgiving Day, crews returned to camp mid-afternoon for a traditional turkey and trimmings dinner. The rest of the afternoon was spent in conversation and table games.

On Saturday, a local friend took part of the group on a six-hour tour of the area. Another group followed the Columbia River into British Columbia. On Saturday night, we all enjoyed a meal at Pizza Factory. For the last two Sundays, the local Mennonite Church has provided lunch for us.

Next week we anticipate a group of ten weekly volunteers from Riverhurst, Saskatchewan. We hope to continue the work on our three houses and begin framing house number four. We will also welcome a communications team from MDS for a few days.