Elk, WA – Nov. 30- Dec. 5, 2025

Rollin Ulrich writing, as I am privileged to serve with MDS as the Project Director in Elk for a few of the waning weeks of 2025.

As I arrived in Elk, I was warmly greeted by the LTV staff at the camp. Some I knew, some I did not. As I tell Velma each time I go out, I will get to meet 100 new people over the next months! I want to outline our camp experience, work assignments, and housing this past week—yes, three of the four pillars.

Our camp experience was rich and very fulfilling, with great participation around our mealtime conversations. We had a blend of four very conservative Anabaptist young ladies, horse-and-buggy Mennonites from upstate New York; two couples from Ligonier, IN, part of the Amish faith; and six English men from across Elkhart County, IN, along with one of their family members living in MN.

All blended so well together, both on the job site and around our camp dinner tables. Everyone was compliant and respectful of the leadership staff.

We were further blessed to have the media team join us for four days. They arrived on Monday evening for dinner and were with us through Thursday.

This past week we took the homes many steps forward:

House 1, “Bill” is completely sided. HVAC and rough-in plumbing are completed. Next week we will begin rough-in electric.

House 2, “Steve” joined us for dinner last night. HVAC is in progress, plumbing is complete, and the house is 90% sided. Next week the rough-in electric will be completed.

House 3, “Linda” is ready for trusses, which will arrive on Tuesday. Then the roof will be installed. The goal is to have it weather-tight by December 19, which is quite achievable.

House 4 is the smaller home on the same lot. Framing has started. We plan to begin building walls on Monday.

Nate and Ed are great crew leaders. Em and Hannah do a wonderful job providing us with tasty, nutritious meals. Don is invaluable as he keeps our home fires intact and manages our overall camp experience. Both he and Em serve as excellent sounding boards as we work to create a meaningful camp experience for weekly volunteers.

The long-term goal for our LTV team—who are here until December 20—is to have four homes ready for inside work for the team arriving January 1. We will stay in communication with them regarding building supplies, kitchen and office equipment, and other logistics so they can jump right in.

Next week, a group of ten from Riverhurst, Saskatchewan will join us. We hope to set some trusses and continue framing House 4.