May 2014 – Hope Children’s Home, Tampa, Florida

Working here at the Children’s Home in Florida confirms what we thought this ministry (SOWERs) is all about.  Our physical labor here has been intense but extremely rewarding.  Wayne worked several small re-construction projects and was a great overall handyman for whatever was needed.  Some of the work included putting a passage door from the carpenter shop to the motor shop, painting basketball goals, drywall repair from a leak, pressure washing decks, repairing rotted wood on a door frame and re-constructing a back porch on a resident home for one of the staff.  Gail spent at least 6 hrs/day in the kitchen at a high paced speed!  Preparing 3 meals per day for approximately 120 residents/teachers/employees was an all-consuming project but fun and sometimes harried – she will be able to add several cooking projects to her resume to include deboning a turkey in a matter of 10 min. and washing cook pans the size of washing machine tubs!  Of course Wayne is finding new tools he needs to add to his arsenal like an impact driver and a vibrating tool. Whoops, scratch the impact driver, I went out and purchased a Ryobi impact driver (and a drill – they came as a package deal) this weekend.

Wayne also got some experience with putting up James Hardy siding, so he learned some new skills. The painting of some of these repairs will be left for some of the kids.  Just had more to do than time to do it.

We had our reservations about working a project all by ourselves but found that it was somewhat fun – Wayne was the Group Leader and Gail was the group!  We found that because it was May it was the end of a school year so the air was electric – kids excited about school coming to an end.  There was one day when they had divided all the kids and staff into four teams and had games for the day.  It was good to see the older kids and younger kids playing together and cheering each other on.  Just minutes ago the 7^th-12^th graders went to their “Junior/Senior”.  Beautiful kids – pic below.  A local company takes it upon themselves to provide this for them and they do not hold back on making them feel extra special.  The Juniors and Seniors are transported by a limo while the others ride the Home bus.  They do not know where they are going!  How special – I have heard it is a renowned restaurant located in downtown Tampa.

We have been able to ride some awesome rail trails on our bikes while visiting here – approximately 83 total miles over 3 weeks.  They cater to bicyclists here – their “rails to trails” bike trails are the width of a single car lane, wide enough for 2 bike lanes and a lane for walkers and roller bladers.  In addition, a lot of the streets have bike lanes.  I guess having a state where there are not many hills draws a lot of bike riders.  We were even able to ride out on the Dunedin Causeway to watch the sunset one evening.

Well, we have swept and folded the rugs, pulled in lawn chairs, loaded the bikes on the car and are ready to pull out in the morning for a quick trip to Camping World for a new awning to be installed on one of our slides then off to Ocala for a visit with Wayne’s siblings for Memorial Day Weekend.  We didn’t want to go all the way back to NC – not fond of traveling on holidays especially with a NASCAR race in Charlotte.

It will be somewhat emotional pulling away tomorrow, these kids need loving smiles and caring words.  They are happy and well cared for physically, emotionally and spiritually.  We are grateful that God has this Home in existence for these children otherwise where would they be?

Next…………to NC to work at the Harvest Time Bible Camp just outside Polkville for the months of June and July.  Should be just as exciting and busy, busy, busy!  Who said retirement is boring?  Not at the Fieler household, we are taking Ibuprofen every night just so our weary bodies can rest!  RV Crazy? I reckon, but so grateful God has allowed us to do this………..serve Him as long as we can.

Sunset at Tampa Bay Causeway

Field Day

JR High through Seniors

Rebuild of Screened in Porch