March 15, 2025
Merced, CA – March 9-15, 2025
Lauren King, Crew Leader from OH; Thomas Mosier, Crew Leader from AZ; Kathy & Steve Rhodes, Head and Assistant Cook from VA; Don & Rachel Horst, Project Director and Office Manager from KS were joined this week by Year Long Volunteers Katie and Jonathon Snyder, also serving as Crew Leaders. With the addition of Katie and Jonathon, our total count of volunteers this week came to eight.
Final touches were completed on the shower installation at Jose’s house; Bathroom sinks hooked up, vanity installed and the last of the baseboard put in place at Maria’s house. Kitchen window and door trim were completed, prep for installing tub and flooring in pantry and bathroom as well as the installation of both happened at Julie’s house.
We enjoyed Paul Hunt and Susan Kim’s visit to prepare a video about MDS to be shown at the West Coast Mennonite Men’s Chorus performances coming up. The food pantry next door to our camp has been very generous in sharing wonderful fresh fruit and vegetables with us. They said they could use more help on Wed., so Kathy, Steve and Rachel helped fill 331 “banana” boxes with assorted food items. On Thurs. Steve Wiest came up from Kingsburg to begin preparations for closing this site at the end of March. On Friday, March 14th Kathy helped us celebrate PI Day by baking a scrumptious blackberry pie for our evening desert.
Next week we anticipate completing the work at Julie’s house as well as laying the vinyl flooring in the Youth Chapel here at Calvery Assembly of God Church and working at the Kingsburg MDS Warehouse.
As blossom petals drift by in the morning breeze, we are reminded of the changing seasons in nature and in people’s lives. It’s rewarding to be a part of the season where healing is happening, and hope is being restored.
Rachel Horst for the Merced Team
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