Back in January of 2009, we were looking for somewhere to do a little work in exchange for somewhere to park the RV for a few weeks while we began work on a book.  Today, almost a year and a half later, that book proof was shipped to the same place it began, and we are back where we started – geographically speaking.

Those of you who have been following for a while may remember the Chicken Coup project from 2009 in Lake Elsinore.  The location is called Rancho De La Paz, or “the ranch of peace”.  It is a re-entry point for YWAM missionaries and a retreat for pastors and full time ministers that need a little “down time.”  Run by the Caruso family, the ranch has a few llamas, a dog, a cat, a bunch of chickens, and some ducks.  The farm animals give people from the city something to look at that calms them, while giving rural missionaries something “familiar” as they handle re-entry into American society.

Last year we built the foundation for a new chicken coup.  This year, we dug some holes for some trees, but we also got to paint the trim on the chicken coup. I finished with a full day driving a John Deere 210 Loader moving over 30 loads of horse manure…  (view the full Lake Elsinore photo set on Flickr)

But back to my thought…

While we were painting, I thought about the fact that even though we weren’t there, the progress on the ranch continued.  Multiple other volunteers had helped with construction projects, repainted fences, patched holes and did countless other things.  Then we got to return and play a part again.

It makes me remember how I came back to my relationship with Jesus 10 years ago.  Several people along the way, each doing their small or large part.  Some laid a foundation.  Some built on it.  Others have helped dress up the project along the way.  Every one of them played a critical part.

Thank you for everyone who has done a little work on ME.  My life today is the fruit of YOUR labor.

Blessings from California, and now… On to Arizona!

Mother’s Day weekend brought us an opportunity to share with the folks from New Heart Foursquare Church in Simi Valley (the sermon was Episode 1 of the new Share Well Podcast if you missed it!), but the preceding two weeks allowed us a little time to both relax, regroup, adjust to being a family of five in the RV, and possibly the most fun you can have with a sledgehammer, DO SOME DEMOLITION!!!

New Heart is in the middle of a sanctuary remodel, and they still had some wrap up demolition to do, so we all put on the work gloves and did everything from tearing out a wall to pulling staples from the stage where carpet had been removed.  We were also allowed to throw out a few ideas for how the interior could possibly look and talk with those doing the design work to give them some new concepts to play with.

Pastor Paul Kuzma has been a great support and friend since we met a little over a year ago, and both he and his congregation continue to blow us away with their generosity. He even ran a 100′ cable over his fence from his house for us to have cable TV!  Their staff and members are a blessing, and we’ll look forward to returning and seeing the finished project in the future!

 We are in Lake Elsinore, CA at a small ranch called "Rancho De La Paz".  We are doing something referred to in the RV world as "WorkKamping", or trading our RV connection (water sewer power) and parking fees for labor and maintenance work.  My task – Dig the foundation trench for a new 10' x 10' chicken house!

The ground is like 70% rock, so fortunately we have a Roto-hammer.  It makes fairly fast work out of busting up the shale.  I am done with the north and east trenches (they were started when I got here…) and will likely get most of the west done tomorrow.  Sounds like the plan is to pour a portion of the footing we will set the cinder blocks on this Saturday!

Why you may ask?  Well, in a word, service.  We want to be available to do whatever God leads us to do, and he led us to ask these folks if they had any needs.  This was there reply.  I found it interesting though, that later as I was out digging, the woman who with her husband owns the property came out and said, "Finally, I have HOPE!"  Now I know that she meant "hope for my chicken coup project to be completed in my lifetime", but it made me think.

If we show up and through our actions are able to give her hope in something she hadn't seen before but was now seeing more clearly, Isn't that the basis of what we are to do as Christians?  We show up, and bring the Hope of Nations with us, to bring hope to the heart of an increasingly hopeless world??? 

Have a great day.  I have a trench to dig!  Watch for photo updates on our Flickr Photos under Chicken Coup Construction!

Vital Statistics:
year:  1993
model:  34n
legnth:  34'
width: 8'4"
engine:  454 Chevy Gas
weight:  appx 16000 lbs
avg fuel efficiency:  8mpg
understorage compartments:  2 full passthrus, 5 partial compartments
ammenities:

• 6 gal hot water heater
• 80 gal fuel tank
• 80 gal water t
• 45 gal grey water tank
• 50 gal black water tank (toilet, people!)
• gas furnace
• ac and dc lighting
• full gas and electric refrigerator and freezer
• queen bed in rear
• dinette makes into full bed for kids to share

We've added:

• 900 watt inverter (charge laptops when driving)
• 32" visio LCD TV
• Mac Mini w/ wireless keyboard and mouse
• 2 macbook laptops
• AT&T wifi access card
• black bookshelf/tv stand
• featherbed over the queen matress
• 5000# rear airbag suspension
• new heat riser bushings (exhaust)
• New am/fm/mp3/cd player stereo
• Garmin Nuvi 260 GPS!

WE HAD A BLAST!  The kids found the perfect job alongside two other young volunteers serving desserts, and Amy and I filled in where ever we could be used.  There was honestly little to do on this particular night (many hands make light work) because of the great group of young people that came to serve from North Coast Calvary Chapel's Jr. High group
.  Kudos to Jocelyn and JC, their leaders, for taking the opportunity to introduce these young people to the less than glamorous realities and issues of our society like homelessness.  Many young people have never spoken to a homeless person, let alone doing something to try to help the issue.  All in all, 105 people received a hot dinner and a sack lunch for the next day.

These young people are a great example of what Share5 is all about… compassion that leads to sacrifice, sacrifice that leads to passion, and a heart that calls us to and causes us to respond with not just our words, but our actions.  Way to go young people… you learned to SHARE WELL WITH OTHERS!

See photos from this evening on Flickr!

The five characteristics we focus on are: compassion, sacrifice, passion, teamwork, and leadership. When evaluated in this order, each can be used as a natural building block to the next.

Compassion – An awareness of and sympathy another’s suffering.

Challenge – Share “5 minutes” of your day, at least once a week, with someone you otherwise would not have considered or noticed. Find a way to help them that asks nothing in return. It could be as simple as stopping for conversation with a person who looks like they need encouragement, or helping an elderly or disabled person with their groceries. Look for the one to one connection with another human being.

Sacrifice – The act of losing or surrendering something.

Challenge – Share “5 hours” once a month with your community or those around you, giving of yourself in a way beyond a simple conversation. Consider your unique talents and skills, and then look for a place to put them to use. Look for the opportunity to serve a larger group with the valuable gift of your time.

Passion – A strong or controlling feeling or emotion; fully engaged interest.

Challenge – Share “5 days” at least once a year either discovering your passion, or diving deeper into it. Give yourself the gift of dedicated time where you can fully participate in something you are passionate about. Don’t be restricted by only five days. Look for an opportunity that will stretch you. Consider replacing a typical vacation with a “service holiday” that benefits others while recharging you too!

Teamwork – The coming together of a group to co-operatively work on a project, problem, conflict, or challenge.

Challenge – Share “5 dollars” or more monthly as you join with others in using our collective resources to extend opportunity to the less fortunate. Working together to fund various international projects for the poor, we create an understanding of our ability to impact our “neighbors” in other nations. Look for the satisfaction of taking on a problem bigger than yourself.

Leadership – a process by which a person motivates, grows, and equips others to accomplish an objective or goal.

Challenge – Share your stories with “5 people”, and encourage them to participate as well. Use your own Share5 challenge experiences to motivate and encourage those you are leading. Help grow the network as you offer an opportunity for personal growth and purpose to others.