Shuswap, B.C. – August 25-31, 2024

With the MDS projects nearing completion, our meeting table is shrinking in size. We welcomed seven individuals from B.C. and a couple from Alberta this week for a total group size of 17 this week.

The deck, stairs and railing surrounding Mary’s whimsical house has been completed. Despite the awkward scaffolding required for the three-storey house on rocky ground, placing the siding on the house has also been accomplished.

Progress continues this week at Heather’s house. The plan is to give Heather a place to stay over the winter and the focus this week is on insulating, providing basic electricity, installing an outside door, work on flooring and placing plywood on the walls.

The fourth house dedication is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, September 4. This week, all hands were on deck in preparation for that event. Up to six volunteers were in the house, in separate corners — completing the flooring, installing the kitchen cabinets, nailing baseboards and putting in shelving. Touch up painting and cleaning has taken place as well.

The “Paint Barn” has been cleaned up and gate keys handed over. Yards have been cleared of garbage, all vehicles given oil changes in preparation for trips to designated locales in Canada and final kitchen and bedding trailer pack-up will take place next week.

The 2024 MDS Shuswap Response Closing Celebration will take place on Wednesday, September 4 @ 4 p.m. at North Shuswap Christian Fellowship, 4079 Butters Rd, Scotch Creek.  After 21 weeks of building four new homes and repairing four other structures, MDS will finish its service in the Shuswap with celebration, remembrance, gratitude and praise. It will be a time for us to celebrate the service of hundreds of volunteers from across Canada who came to the North Shuswap to work with local partners and homeowners, rebuilding homes and restoring hope after the devastating Bush Creek East Wildfire of 2023.