We left PA on April 16th and headed west to Conway, Arkansas. the weather was good for traveling and we arrived on Saturday at noon. This area that was hit hard by tornadoes April 27, 2014. The Methodist Church and parsonage in Vilonia ( a town 14 miles from here) was destroyed, along with much of the town.. The Wesley Methodist church installed full hook -ups for NOMADS and other Christian relief helpers to park at while we are working here.
Our rigs parked behind the church. The brown 5th wheel is Jean and Steve's new home along with a new truck.
Sunday afternoon we went to a performance by the Conway Women's Chorus. Sorry I forgot my camera for two of the women from this church were part of the group. They sang songs and recounted stories of Southern women during the Civil War. It was very well done.
Monday we all were back at the Carter house with hopes of getting it finished. NOMADS have been working on it the whole time, at least since Gary and Gwen have been leading. Gwen and Fran continued to paint the kitchen cabinets.
Larry and Gary worked on installing the counter tops.
Break time for the team, Fran and Ron from Texas, Steve and Jean from Minnesota, Fran from Florida and Gary and Gwen from Georgia
Fran finished painting the trim and worked on the house the rest of the week, including making a list of all that will still need to be completed next week!
Ron worked on plumbing.
Kitchen cabinets doors on, counter top installed and ron working on getting the sink hooked up without leaking.
The water heater was very different and challenging for Steve. We are praying for a plumber on our team next week to help get the sinks and water heater to stop leaking.
Tuesday evening we went to the Market Place for a farewell dinner. Gwen and Gary are leaving on Wednesday morning for his mother fell and broke her hip and he was needed back home. We were glad to take over the leadership a little early for them. Our meal began with a flaming cheese dip appetizer followed by some very good meals.
We have devotions every morning in the fellowship hall. Gary and Gwen joined us on Wednesday before pulling out. Charlotte came early and joined the team on Tuesday.
Wednesday all but Fran and Ron came over to work at this house. The tornado took 32 homes in this area, and they were just recovering from a tornado three years earlier.
As you drive down the road you see slab after slab where homes use to be. This slab had a safe room standing on it, I would sure want a storm shelter of some kind if I lived here.
A group had come in and helped this gentleman mud his house, but unfortunately a lot of repair is needed to the mudding for it has cracked. Fran taking off the mud so she can put on tape and remud the ceiling in this room.
Jean, Steve and Charlotte sanded another one of the bedrooms.
I worked on filling in the holes around the electrical boxes. I think there will be lots of challenges when the electric is hooked up! Thankfully we were only giving the home owner a hand with the mudding. Keep him in your prayers.
Jean sanding the hallway.
Fran moved into the bathroom to fix the ceiling in here. We will miss her next week.
She inspected the bedroom she worked on and it looks much better and should be fine with just a light sanding.
On Thursday our team was joined by a very friendly cat.
The team working at this house on Thursday consisted of these hard working women plus me. I was on scaffolding sanding and mudding the ceilings in the kitchen/living room most of the day. This "simple" one or two day task may take us all of next week.
