Wednesday Updates .. . .middle of Iowa and our newest friends from

Sorry about the lack of photos, being literally out in the middle of Iowa at Camp Hitage (that's where we're staying) there is little wireless, and at best, cell service is spotty.

The weather has been exceptionally cool - high in the mid-60's with a little bit of spitting drizzle and plenty of cloud cover. Not the usual YSP weather with 90-90 sweat for everyone.

Two crews have moved on to other houses, completeing the initial assigments.
Ruschman & Babcock have gone to the Grapes (Dick & Jane) to do interior finish work, oak flooring, linoleum, door trim, window trim, and of course - the usual mudding of drywall. The uniques challenge is building the trap door in the kitchen floor so that the Grapes can get to the storm cellar (tornadoes) - didn't do so good during the flood. They also helped to celebrate Cory's birthday (7 year old grandson living with them). They've been on the waiting list for repairs since last July. You can see how great the need is.

Turner, Petro and the gang are going over to Mrs. Cook's house tomorrow morning for "a long laundry list" of things - painting, fence repair, trim work, staining and more drywall (do you sense a theme?).

The girls on Hoon & Hoon are experts at Venetian plaster - IT LOOKS AWSOME!!!!! You can't tell it from italian marble (parents - who knew).

Family night is tonight, with guests from the homes we're working on plus friends we've made - about 25 family members, 24 youth & adults from the Presbyterian Relief Team from Canistota, SD - as well as our newest friends from the Church of the Nazarene from Lincoln, Nebraska (Joey and 22 youth members) will be joining us for music (Ted & AJ - aka The Trio of Two with the singers) and the Dance Team, worship lead by Shawn. ill Otte has come up with ice-breaker games for all the groups - Orange Toss Keepaway and an 8-legged race. Hmmmmmm.

The last two evenings the youth were treated to special programs from the Hitage staff - a low-ropes course for leadership development, and a Challenge- Thinking course to develop decision making. There are videos posted on YouTube that show some seriously hilarious efforts - do a search on YSP 2009 and Ted's posted 4 videos. I think James is still removing the wedgie from his butt today. BE WARNED - YOU WILL LAUGH UNTIL YOU LEAK!

UPDATE: It may take 24 hours for YouTube to post the videos - keep checking in!!