The Appalachian Bible College group. Left to right: Kim & Rodney Juelfs, Doris & Frank Hutchison, Wayne & Gail Fieler and our group leaders, Ruth & Bill Stoll.
The past 3 weeks has gone from warm to freezing! The “tree turn” has been absolutely gorgeous in West Virginia.
Just a kiss of color.
Changing..........
Changing.........
Changing............
Changing...........
Almost there...........
There! Absolutely gorgeous.
We have been on this project with 3 other couples, Rodney & Kim Juelfs from Washington, Bill & Ruth Stoll from Florida and Frank & Doris Hutchison from Florida as well. Our major project was painting the 3 stairwells in the boys dorm. The men and ladies have been working on this project together as it would have been too much for either one team. The primer was oil based so respirators and masks were a must.
Frank & Doris Hutchison
Kim & Rodney Juelfs
Bill & Ruth Stoll our group leaders.
Boys Dorm where we painted.
Rodney painting stairs.
Bill on the ladder getting the high places.
Kim scraping and sanding the railings.
Doris wiping down as part of the prep work.
Kim scraping & painting.
Doris giving us her best paint job!
Gail on her knees!
Two of us ladies also worked 3 days on repairing life jackets and splash jackets so the camp can get at least 1 more years use out of them especially when they cost $50-60 per jacket. We probably repaired about 25 at least.
Kim & Gail repairing life jackets.
Two of us ladies did laundry after groups left from the lodge.
First the men had to dig post holes, add the concrete, then apply the guard rails. Before this many vehicles have accidentally driven off the side and taken a scary trip down the hill. A bus actually bottomed out in the middle.
Frank and Gail has suffered from deep chest coughs which were probably allergy induced. The leaves changed rapidly and are falling like rain with the windy days.
Doris & Ruth folding sheets.
The men also put in a guard rail leading up to the RV parking spots that in the past has led many large vehicles into dangerous situations. This will have reflectors on it that will alert the driver before driving their vehicle down a steep embankment.
First the men had to dig post holes, add the concrete, then apply the guard rails. Before this many vehicles have accidentally driven off the side and taken a scary trip down the hill. A bus actually bottomed out in the middle.
Frank and Gail has suffered from deep chest coughs which were probably allergy induced. The leaves changed rapidly and are falling like rain with the windy days.
After the first week of the project 4 RVIC couples joined us and on 2 days of the week we are able to join together during devotions provided by the college staff. Between the 8 couples 4 individuals had birthdays so this called for a pot luck dinner with cake & ice cream - of course, duh! Eating is always a given! The college has provided one meal per day while on the project of which we have been very thankful for as they are not “camp food” - these are full buffet meals with at least 3 different entrees to choose from.
Getting together with RVICs and celebrating 4 birthdays.
Another blessing this month was that Capt./Dr. Schieber and his wife were speakers for Homecoming/Alumni Weekend. Dr. Schieber was the pilot that was bumped from the first plane that went into the Twin Towers on 9-11. He spoke during chapel service which was a wonderful message and we were able to see his video of what actually took place the 2 days prior to his “bump”. God certainly had his hand in all of it, and Dr. Schieber continually stresses that he is on “borrowed time”. We all are and the sooner we start living like we believe it, the more will be accomplished for HIM. His wife spoke one Saturday morning at a session that was a blessing as well. They have published a book “In My Seat” that is a must read.
This month we also ran up the road to “Bridge Day”. This is where 500+ BASE jumpers literally jump from the 2nd largest bridge in America over the New River Gorge and parachute towards a target at the bottom, trying to miss the New River! Needless to say many land in the river or in the trees. They say approximately 20,000 people attended the event. While the jump is not on our bucket list, watching them was! Check, that’s done! It was cold (45 degrees) and windy (even more so on the bridge). The bridge is actually closed to traffic for the entire day - sorry truck drivers for your detour!
Wayne & Gail with bridge in background.
Gail on zipline! NOT!
New River Bridge 2nd highest bridge in America.
Here you can see parachutist about to land in the water - brrrrrrrr, cold!
This was the landing that was put up that night for all the BASE jumpers that day. 500+
A view with some color.
Here you can see the beach that all the jumpers were aiming for.
Took 3 yrs. to construct.
This was the original bridge that the new bridge replaced.
Picture taken from in the gorge.
There is a rail line on either side of the river
used in earlier days for coal transport. Today
you can see Amtrak going by regularly.
2 kayakers about to go over the rapids.
Both made it ok!
Can you imagine jumping off this bridge into this gorge aiming for the small piece of beach below? They were actually jumping 3 at a once.
Spectacular to watch.
This college was new to Wayne & I, definitely serves the purpose of training individuals to serve in many different areas around the world until Jesus calls us home. A most upstanding college, one that would prove to be a good choice for any high school graduate looking to major first in Bible, then looking for a minor to serve with their gained knowledge.
Next…………off to Covington, KY to volunteer at the Creation Museum. Till then, we are just RVing!
