Merced, CA – Feb. 16-22, 2025

This group of 18 worked their way out of jobs in Planada by noon on Friday.  The Lyndell Martin group stole all of our hearts, and there were tears when they left the driveway waving from their vehicle windows.  Starting on Monday, they tore through the work – tore out and replaced a floor, hung drywall, mudded, sanded, textured, painted, insulated, hung doors, electrical work, removed and installed T-111, built some steps, trimwork, stripped and wired some walls, poured a concrete pad, installed vanities, a toilet and kitchen appliances/cupboards, fixed a gate…and cleaned up after jobs were finished. As Ralph put it, they “did 5 days of work in 4.”

Next week, we will tear out at one job and finish up about 3 others on Monday and another by Wednesday. Al, our Construction Supervisor, will be working on Monday to arrange for another job to be available by Tuesday.

A highlight of the week was the Lyndell Martin group singing.  It began when they sung in beautiful 4-part harmony for devotions early in the week.  They were so good that we requested more.  By the end of the week, they had sung for us every day, they sang two songs one evening at the church’s Bible study, and they sang a thank you to a Planada store owner who had served them lunch.  As they were ready to leave on Friday, they invited us out and sang a “See you here, There or in the air” song.  We were so humbled and touched.  What a beautiful way to end a beautiful week.