We then went down to Tucson's TMM Family service to begin our 2010 NOMADS projects.. The project at TMM began Feb.1st for 3 weeks ending Feb.18th,and consisted of a great many things that needed to be done.. some of which were moving them out of their office space into a temporary office area ,while they remodel the old space into much needed single parent housing apartments. We painted various spaces, one was all of the wrought iron fencing surrounding the street sides of the property. John hand lettered a sign indicating where all of the temporary offices are presently located. Lots of miscellaneous tasks were accomplished, keys sorted and reassigned to a master lock box, blue prints re-tubed and relabeled, washer repaired, basketball hoops, installed, light bulbs replaced in the dining hall, outdoor walkway lights repaired, a stepping stone walkway constructed, and of course the always present NOMAD task of cleaning and sorting. The team there was 3 couples: The Dave Hartts from Michigan were our leaders, the Ken Younts from Tennessee, and us.We had the traditional NOMAD activities of Game nights and food.
Then we moved up to Phoenix and began NOMAD project period 3 (2/22-3/11) at UMOM. UMOM is a campus with a wide variety of ministries to single moms and families that are homeless. The team here consisted of 5 couples: The Delmar Smiths of Illinois were the team leaders, the David Smiths from Michigan, the Mark Fords,formally from Wisconsin; but are full-timer RVers like us. Also there was the Warren Rices from Minnesota along with us.
Again the work here was widely varied. The major project accomplished was the installation of tile in the new conference rooms coffee area and the adjoining restroom. Also the conference room (50'x36') was primed and painted in 1day by the whole team working together.there was an old serving window that was filled in and painted... The team also helped with 3 large mailings.. there was closet shelving installed in 3 offices, shelving assembled and many boxes moved out and then back in the accounting office area. The ladies worked numerous days at the clothes closet ( a place where donated clothes are sorted and made available to the residents). The ladies also worked in a area where there were piles and piles of catering utensils and equipment stored, they straighten and washed a lot of items. Some worked in the food donation area arranging the cans by product and checking the dates for those that were outdated and tossed.
We are staying at UMOM even after the "official" ending date of the NOMAD project until the2nd of April, Judy is working wherever she can be of assistance, while John is working over at Tempe Diabo stadium 'The Spring Training Home of the L.A. Angels, he is working in the food concession stand building sandwiches (hot dogs, bacon-cheese burgers, brats, and Portabella Mushroom) on non-game days John is assisting the UMOM maintenance dept by doing various electrical and plumbing repairs.
We then will be traveling to Judys April 7th Drs, appointment in Houston before joining the NOMAD period 5 team at the Boys Ranch in Gore, Ok.(4/5-4/22) then we head home to IOWA, plans are in complete at this writing as we are waiting to see how the Drs visit goes.
Of course all of this could NOT be possible with out the guidance of God and ALL of your support in prayers, calls, letters, e-mails and especially the financial support you provide.
Hoping to see many of you when we are in Belle Plaine the 1st weekend of May.
May God continue to bless each of you
Hugs around from the Longs-on the road for Christ; Judy and John
