West Asheville, NC – Feb. 15- 21, 2026

The week began with a house dedication celebration in Beacon Village Sunday afternoon.  People braved the drizzle and cooler temperatures to join the ribbon cutting and celebration.

The weekly volunteers this past week came from Rosedale Bible College in Ohio.  Ten students came, giving up their winter break to serve with MDS.  Their leader was a great teacher, showing the proper technique for mudding the drywall.

Tuesday a group went to continue work on a CONSTRUX house.  Work had begun in November, but some of the pieces were damaged.  Each piece had to be planed so the swollen OSB components fit.  Progress was slow and at times the volunteers were very frustrated and discouraged.  Friday they assembled and raised the trusses.  Being able to do that was gratifying as they saw that finally some progress was being made.

Wednesday morning started with the startling sound of the fire alarm in the hotel.  The kitchen area was filled with smoke from burned biscuits, and the smell permeated the hotel. When we arrived at the RSAA building to pack lunches and eat breakfast, we were glad our cooks had not burned the biscuits!

More taping and mudding was done at the Culler and Walls’ houses.  Ceilings and walls were primed and painted.  The exterior of the entire Walls’ house was primed.

The highlight of the week for many volunteers was an evening at Bat Cave. Steve Freeman, chief of the Bat Cave Volunteer Fire Department, shared his own personal survival story and the work of the department to evacuate residents.  It was a very moving story.

Next week will be more of the same with drywall finishing and painting at several houses.  Hopefully weather will permit work to continue on the CONSTRUX house.  With skilled construction workers we hope to see several sets of steps constructed and a deck built.

From West Asheville, NC,

Edith, Bruce, Mel, Carol, Ron R., Char, Brenten, Caleb, Ron L. and Karen