Red Bird Mission Trip 2019
The Team arrived at the church on Sunday, June 29th for an early (yawn!)
departure to Red Bird Mission Camp in Eastern Kentucky.
The Team arrived at the Red Bird Mission Camp about mid afternoon.
After arrival, we registered, got our "Bunk House" assignment,
got our group photo taken then made our way to the
"Eagles Nest" bunk house at the top of the hill.
"Eagles Nest"
After getting settled, we relaxed a bit at Eagles Nest.
Well, most of us relaxed!
Views from Eagles Nest
After that break, we made our way down to the "Cardinal House" which
is the main building where we eat our meals and...
...just relax on the porch!
Oh yeah, and here is just a portion of the steps that led up the hill to Eagles Nest.
Several of us chose the steps while others rode in a car.
Main campus level
Campus Pets
Meal Time
Martin Talks to All Groups Before Each Meal
Eating evening meals in the Cardinal House Dining Room.
On Thursday, Debbie's brother and family made a surprise visit.
Jim gave Devotions and Joyce gave blessing before a dinner on Friday.
In the Conference Room, Martin talks to the groups about
Red Bird Mission and what to expect on our project work sites.
Our Work Project for the Week
The Home of Tom and Lena Mae Collins
"MISSION IMPOSSIBLE"
Our Mission, which we chose to accept, was to replace the stoop
at the back of the home and replace the tile floor in the kitchen.
After picking up our work truck with tools and supplies,
we made our way to the work site.
At the work site, we met Lena Mae and Tom.
Pino, our Red Bird Project Leader.
Our first task was to remove the old stoop.
Since the new stoop was to be larger that the original,
we had to dig
new holes for the support posts. That was no easy chore as
there seemed to be more rocks to dig out that dirt.
(l.) Gary and LeRoy put their heads together to plan the construction.
(r.) Gary and Debbie prepare to cut boards for the stoop frame
that will help to locate the support posts.
Debbie, Carl and Gary assemble the frame.
With the frame assembled, the post holes were
finished and the posts set and held in place.
Below, Dave and Leroy mix the concrete to pour in the post holes.
But, with no mechanical mixer available, LeRoy used his hands to mix the concrete.
(l.) Debbie, LeRoy and Pino measure out the new floor tile back at the Work Camp.
(r.) Unloading the floor tile at the job site on Tuesday morning.
On Tuesday, the concrete was set and we quickly raised the frame
and put on the decking. We also cut spindles for the railing.
(l.) Debbie marks the stringers for cutting and (r.) Carl makes the cut.
(above) Gary attaches the stringers to the frame.
(below) Stringers are attached to the posts and braced.
With concrete poured around the stringer posts,
we wait for the concrete to set before we can attach the steps.
Meanwhile inside, LeRoy, Connie, Dave and others install the new tile floor.
Lena Mae and Tom were very pleased with their new tile floor.
Lunch breaks were taken wherever we could find a place to sit...or stand.
Wednesday was a non-work day and we were free to do what we wanted.
We decided to go into the town of Corbin, Ky to see what was there.
Corbin was the home town of Colonel Sanders (Kentucky Fried Chicken).
As we made our way through the winding roads on our way to Corbin,
we saw many coal mining sites and operations.
Arriving in Corbin, we chose to find something to eat first.
As we walked the streets, we saw this old truck with the name
"Austin City Saloon" on its door.
"Austin City Saloon" was newly opened but we decided to give it a try.
The workers and management there were great, as was the food.
We highly recommend it if you're ever in Corbin.
We spent the rest of the afternoon looking through antique shops and other stores.
We also found a little plaza that was a tribute to Colonel Sanders.
Thursday morning, back on the work site.
All that's left was to install the steps, railings and spindles.
AND...Finished!
AND...A BIG thumbs up from Lena Mae!
While the construction crew was finishing up the stoop, Becky and Joyce took
Lena Mae to a beauty salon for the first time in her 72 years of life.
Thursday evening was "Talent Night".
Dave attempted the "coin behind the ear trick" but his
hands was not quicker than the eyes of these two kids!
BUSTED!!!
With our project completed a day early, we took a tour of the Red Bird Christian High School.
Since we finished our project at Tom & Lena Mae's a day early,
we took on additional work around the campus.
Connie checks out the fishing gear while Jim paints a storage room.
Jane, Carl and Gary assisted Jim with the painting.
LeRoy & Gary patched the ceiling in another storage room.
Some evenings were spent playing "Crummy Rummy" or just relaxing.
Some "relaxed" a lot more than the others.
Well, our mission was done and the week was at its end.
Saturday morning, we made our way through the hills and valleys on the
winding roads of eastern Kentucky to head back to our homes in Indiana.
Father God, we all thank you for the opportunity we had to make a difference in the lives of Tom and Lena Mae. We pray that what we provided will be a blessing for them for many years to come. We are thankful for the bond that was created between our team and the Collins family and also with the other mission volunteers we encountered. Father, we pray this in the name of your Son and our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.