Chatham, Illinois

      The week of the NOMADS annual meeting was awesome!  We had terrific speakers, seminars, worship, food, and socializing.  It was great to see friends with whom I've worked, and make new friends.  I then headed to Wisconsin to visit.  We did some sightseeing and, of course, shopping.  After that I came to the Midwest Mission Distribution Center in Chatham, IL.  This was the place of my first team project over 4 years ago.  This time I was on my own.  There are always volunteers here, so I just joined them where needed.
     Most of the week I worked in the wood shop.  I used the radial arm saw, miter saw and drill press to create desk legs.  One of the many things done here is to make wooden school desks to be sent to developing countries.  They've done this since the Center's opening in 2000.  Right now they are using wood donated from an area high school, which remodeled their gym.  MMDC was given the old bleechers.  It's estimated to be about $50,000 worth of wood.  cool
     I also helped to create health kits.  Kits-health, school, teacher, baby layette, flood buckets, simple clothing- are put together here.  Also the kits that come from churches across the mid-west make there way here and all are distributed to those who need them.
     We prayed for this truck as it left filled with 1000 health kits going to homeless shelters in Iowa.  The truck then returned with 15000 five-gallon buckets donated from Schwann's food.  They will be cleaned and filled with cleaning items to be used as flood buckets.  
     The Center also has bicyle and sewing machine repair shops.  These donated items are restored to working order and sent to other countries.
This place is always busy.  What an oppotunity it was to be a small part of the big work they do.
     Next, it's on to southern Ohio for a family history reunion.  We are going to retrace the steps of some of our ancestors.  After that, I will be going to the church camp in Nebraska where I had volunteered this spring.  I'm returning to volunteer and participate in their annual corn maze.  I will be joined by some family members.

NOMADS annual meeting

     I traveled last Wednesday and Thursday to Illinois.  Along the way, I stopped in Elkhart, IN to visit one of my former students (she had lived with us for 6 months when she was 5 yrs old).  It was good to see her, even though it was brief.    
     I arrived in Pecatonica, IL on Thursday.  Our meeting is a week long time of socializing, business, and seminars.  Of course, there's lots of eating out and pot-lucks planned.  This is the 25th anniversary of  NOMADS so there are special ceremonies planned.  There are about 120 RVs here, about 350 people (some are staying in local motels).  This year I have decided to be a part of the talent show.  I will sign a song using white gloves and black light.  I am also teaching an hour-long seminar on sign language.
     After this I will be going to WI to visit and plan out more of my travels.  Gotta go. More story-swapping and jokes to share.