RVing With a Purpose

Alabama Huddle

April 30, 2026

On Tuesday, April 14^th, we arrived at River Ridge Retreat in Guntersville, AL for the Alabama Switch It Up Huddle. We arrived a couple of days early so we could just get some rest and catch up on some paperwork. Of course, the fact that it gave us two extra days to visit with friends who also came early was a big perk. We also got to meet some of the new members of the crew who also came in early, so it was a wonderful two days. We were parked in a waterfront site and could walk to the pier and watch two osprey nests with babies. Relaxing beside the water – it was great. In fact the entire park, manager and staff were great. We lived about an hour and a half from this park and had never been there. We will definitely make a return visit. It’s such a quiet peaceful place.

We saw several ospreys at the lake, on theirs nests…

The huddle actually kicked off with a meet and greet and dinner Thursday night. There were about 95 people, including 18 new crew members. Welcome to all of you but especially the new crew members. Of course you aren’t new anymore. Friday morning was our “give back” where we assembled all the items we brought to assemble the dignity kits for Convoy of Hope. The kits will be distributed as part of the first response efforts when needed. Friday was also boat day when we spent several hours on the lake in pontoon boats. Other outings during the weekend included hiking to some waterfalls, ziplining, e-bike riding, hiking, visiting Cathedral Caverns, and UTV riding.

Pre-zip training

The swinging bridges were the hardest part of the zip line tour.

Sunday morning we had an amazing worship service with great music and Sheila shared another great message. I know several of us are still discussing the ark without a rudder. If you don’t know about that, send me an email and we can discuss it.

Sunday morning worship is always one of our favorite parts of a huddle.

We didn’t get to use the chapel at the retreat because of the weather, but it is the only one like it we have seen.

Monday morning after coffee and doughnuts, the huddle was over. We sadly said our “see you laters” and look forward to our next gathering.

Crazy Easter Week

April 25, 2026

After closing down the Augusta Disaster Rebuild for now, we made a quick, 23 hour, turnaround. That means we took Fred to Randy and Debra’s home, about an hour from where we were working, visited, shared a few meals, and transferred everything we need back into BB (Beyond Blessed) and were back on the road to Alabama in 23 hours. That’s the best turnaround we have ever accomplished and yes, we did get some sleep. It was Easter weekend and we wanted to be at our home church, Lester Memorial. We made it back to our property on Pine Mountain, AL by 5:30 Saturday afternoon and took our afternoon walk with our dear friends Donna and Barry. We actually made it to 6:00 am Sunrise Services the next morning. We saw many precious friends and family members the next few days.

Our sunrise service this year was held inside at Palisades Park because of rain.

Even on a rainy day the view from the park shows the glory of God’s creation.

The children’s ministry at the church used metamorphosing butterflies to illustrate Christ’s resurrection and our transformation.

After the early service the butterflies were released.

One of the newly transformed butterflies

On Wednesday we drove back to Senoia, GA to visit Anne’s brother and help him with some medical stuff. On Saturday we returned to Alabama, went to church Sunday, said our “see you down the roads”, took care of some business in Oneonta Monday and made it to Guntersville, AL on Tuesday. It was so great to see friends and family. It was definitely worth the craziness.

While visiting Anne’s brother, among other fun activities, we watched the astronauts return to earth after their trip around the moon.

Some of the business we had to take care of

Since the weather was cool we spent a few nights on our property on Pine Mountain.

NOMADS Augusta, GA Disaster Rebuild – Our Week 3

Tuesday, April 07, 2026

We had no new arrivals this week so after recovering from all of Saturday’s banana pudding, the team attended church together on Sunday and enjoyed a quiet Palm Sunday afternoon.

Monday had us returning to the Turpin Hill house. We all worked hard at this location all week. We completed all the flooring, painted and installed all the baseboard we could until the kitchen is completed, installed seven doors, trimmed out nine doors, and installed seven lock sets. We also installed decorative shutters on the front of the house, cleaned all the electrical boxes and panel per inspector’s report, and cleaned up inside and outside the house.

Sandy and Jim installing decorative shutters

Anne applying floor leveling compound to the laundry room floor

Pat and Anne installing the last piece of flooring

Jim and Dave – our champion door installers – installed 7 doors and trimmed out 9.

Because the exterior door jambs were thinner than the walls, Jim and Dave had to rip filler strips to make the door casing fit.

The inspector wanted all the electrical boxes cleaned before they would pass inspection.

We spent some time getting the kitchen cabinets organized, but ran out of time before we could install them. Another volunteer group is coming in a few weeks to continue work on the house.

Kitchen doors and floor at the end of the week

Unfortunately, we never got to meet the homeowner due to his work hours. However, the entire team signed his Bible and we left him a note with the Bible for him to pick up when he gets his mail.

After work on Thursday, we all went to dinner at a combination Mexican and Italian restaurant and after the great meals we all walked across the street for some wonderful ice cream. We are so grateful for this hard-working NOMADS team and all they accomplished. It was really rewarding to see the sharing of knowledge and skills by this group. Thank you Dave, Rita, Jim, Pat, and Sandy!

Please keep all the homeowners in Augusta and Ashville who are still not back in their home in your prayers. NOMADS currently are scheduled to return to both locations in the fall to continue the work. May God Bless you all.

NOMADS Augusta, GA Disaster Rebuild – Our Week 2

Sunday, March 29, 2026

After saying goodbye to 6 volunteers last Friday, we had three more volunteers arrive on Saturday, Pat and Jim, and Sandy. Week two began with seven hard working NOMADS.

We moved to a new work site Monday in the Turpin Hill area of Augusta. The plan is for the seven of us to work here until the project closes April 2. We are hoping to complete the house by then. This home was destroyed by a very big tree. Christian Disaster Service volunteers rebuilt the house on the original foundation and installed the drywall and first coat of paint before we arrived.

How the house looked on January 26th while CDS was rebuilding it.

Monday, we got a second coat on all the walls and ceilings and began preparing the floors for laminate flooring. We began installing the laminate flooring in the two bedrooms. Tuesday, we completed the two bedroom’s flooring, and began installing the flooring in the kitchen and living room. Wednesday we finished the flooring in the living room and kitchen and began installing base boards. Thursday, we completed the flooring in the bathroom and continued trim work. We are so proud of this team. They accomplished a lot this week. Fortunately we didn’t have any storms this week but the temperatures were in the 80’s two days.

The house had no power so we had to use a generator each day.

The bathtub after Sandy spent a couple of hours cleaning off overspray from the wall and ceiling texturing.

Flooring teams worked separately in the kitchen and living room but made it all come together in the middle.

One of the bedrooms at the end of the week

Rita and Pat after finishing the bathroom floor

After a lot of hard work last week, and some rest Friday, several of the team went to the State Banana Pudding Festival and Tractor Show in Milledgeville, GA. on Saturday. What a fun day! Lots of great food plus getting to choose our favorite banana pudding. We tasted 10 different puddings brought in by charitable organizations and then voted on the one we liked best. There was all the usual fair foods plus banana pudding ice cream, banana pudding nuts, banana pudding nachos, banana pudding popcorn, banana pudding funnel cakes, and banana pudding pastries.