Twelve and a half volunteers: Day Five

Hi there all.... we've had a slight hiatus due to busyness and lack of time and energy to post but we are still alive here in Shamokin. Peter and Angela are down for a nap and there is lots going on at the church today - Pastor Bob is working, secretary Cheryl (who always has lots of helpful hints and info) greets us every morning with a cheerful hello, there is a whole crew here working on rehabbing the organ in the sanctuary (Angela and I got a peek in there yesterday morning - quite the works going on in there!) and there is a crew of convicts in the basement. On to other news... wait, what? You want to hear about the convicts? Well, don't worry, there is a guard with them - and they come to help work on bigger cleaning projects in the church - they are friendly and say hello but we don't have much to do with them (though Angela and I both were pretty shocked when we heard they were coming - not something that we run across too much at home!!!). We are perfectly safe in our hideaway on the third floor and no one really bothers us up here. There are also many scout troops who meet here during the week - we are sleeping in their usual meeting room - so they are graciously meeting downstairs. So lots of traffic and people in and out - but makes for interesting days to be sure!
So i'm supposed to update about Wednesday - it was a very full-on day, with lots to do and see and experience that it's hard to know where to begin! Angela and I started off the day early to get breakfast into the oven and ready to feed the masses at 7:30 - we have access to the large church kitchen and have finally figured out that it takes us at least 1/2 hour to get the ovens warmed up. So we learn by experience - our meal was a breakfast casserole - with bread and eggs and leftover sausage and whatever else was lurking in the fridge - sure turned out yummy! We always begin our mornings with prayer and our meal together at a big communal table - it sure will be quiet when we get home and there's just the two of us! I'll miss everyone! Gerald has been sharing devotionals/prayers that have been sent to him and that is a great way to start our days. Then by 8:00, the group was out the door and we were off to do groceries. It sure is different buying for 12 people as opposed to 2 - we have estimated some things high and some low but it seems to work out in the end - but we sure miss the Helping Hands and all the advice on amounts and times that comes with their experience!! We successfully negotiated Walmart again - my buggy nearly losing a wheel since it was so full!
The team met us back here at church at around 11:30 - they had finished a lot of sanding and priming, drywalling in the kitchen and fishing more and more electrical wire. I think everyone's most favourite escapade of the day consisted of Timothy drilling a hole right through the wall from the outside - Andrew assured us that it worked out just fine but he took a lot of ribbing for that! There has been a lot of teasing and banter throughout the week, keeps things light when that is needed and we are so thankful for the blessing of laughter!
We cleaned up, had a lunch of subs and were on our way to Hershey. There is a large chocolate factory there with a museum and amusement park, rides and concerts. We took a bit of a detour accidentally ending up at the Hershey headquarters instead of the factory but we soon remedied our ways and (being good Dutchies) took the free factory tour. This consisted of everyone sitting in little ride-pods (kinda like bumper cars at the fair) and going through a 15 minute tour which explained how cocoa beans were processed and made into chocolate, narrated by singing cows - slightly bizarre but pretty cool too! So cool in fact that we went around twice! Aaaaah, free entertainment. Then it was on to the store - a favourite for most people who got lured into purchasing all things Hershey - Kisses, Peanut Butter Cups(Yum!), and all kinds of bars and treats. Filled up with sugar, we went on to the outlet malls around the corner. We(Timothy and I) didn't have any success but Gerald, Sid and Cam all ended up with such bright neon shirts that we are happy we will never lose them in a crowd!!! Look for them in the roller skating pics below. It felt strange in some ways to be out shopping after working in such an impoverished area - but i think a little break was good for everyone. After an hour of roaming time, we hit the road again, this time to negotiate through traffic in Harrisburg. Thankful for GPS and texting (saved us a few times when we got separated!!!), we made it to Shamokin Dam where the hunt was on for a place for dinner. Fortunately, Timothy's GPS/internet on his phone told him there was a buffet in Sunbury, just down the road - that sounded good. Unfortunately, despite meticulous directions, the location we arrived at turned out to be a fire/legion hall and the fellow whom we asked about the restaurant told us that it was located "60 miles away in Harrisburg" (in a thick southern accent). With stomachs grumbling, baby crying and hunger pangs gripping us tightly, we turned ourselves around and headed back up the road to Shamokin Dam where a Perkins family restaurant became our dining establishment for the evening, though our waitress said she had never had such a large group of people to serve (we were nice, we promised!) Fortified with food and great conversation, it was off to our last stop of the evening. Sunset Roller-rink was one of the attractions we had noted on the very limited list of attractions in the area. But it turned out to be a winner - for $25 we managed to get everyone in, into roller skates and onto the rink(including little Peter in his stroller!) Then commenced an hour in which many of us laughed a lot at and with each other as new skills were developed and as old skills were polished up, most notably by Sid, Gerald and Timothy - just ask the kids about their moves!!! Despite a few epic falls (Sid to be sure!) and a little bit of wobbling, a full hour of skating was enjoyed by all. Angela and I were the designated photographers since it looked a little risky to us - but we had lots of fun hearing everyone's stories!
An hour was enough to give almost everyone a blister or a bruise or a torn knee in their pants (Alex!) and we packed up to head home. As we opened the doors, it was to an icy blast. The temperature had dropped to below zero and was accompanied by a nasty biting wind. What a difference from yesterday afternoon when i was able to sit outside and steal some sunshine! I guess winter's not over yet.
Time for devos and our highs and lows. Devotions dwelt on the plans that we have and how God is the author and director of our plans, that our days are in His hands and that is a matter for which we can praise God. He has directed our footsteps thus far and we pray He will continue to lead and guide us. Tonight involved very little lows (amazing!) and lots of highs including seeing the beautiful icy, misty Susquehannah River, seeing everyone cut loose on the roller rink, learning new skills on the job site (the girls are pretty stoked about their power tool use - Alex and Leah used nail guns for the first time much to the amusement of all!) and just having a wonderful day and time of fun together. Bed sure looked inviting and we were thankful for another great day!