NOMADS Project - Eustis Florida and Kayak/Canoe Adventure - Wekiva River

(Eustis, FL) 82 degrees, not a cloud in the sky

We have completed our first week of our NOMADS project in Eustis Florida and it has been an action packed week.  NOMADS (Nomads On a Mission Active in Divine Service) is a volunteer organization that provides labor for all types of projects throughout the U.S. and many countries.  We had first heard about NOMADS from Pam and Randy Warner (Roadrunner Chronicles) @ a RV-Dreams Rally in Kerrville Texas.  We signed up at the Escapees Rally in Goshen Indiana and this is our first project.  Their motto is retirement with a purpose.  That sounded really good to us. 

Each project with the NOMADS usually lasts for three weeks.  We work Monday - Thursday (8 a.m. - 4 p.m.) and have Friday - Sunday off.  Most of the members are United Methodist, however, that is not a requirement.  Our group has many denominations represented.  We have been told our project is very large.  We have 17 members (nine rigs) and currently we are working on four homes at the same time.  Most projects are smaller and usually just work at one site.  The need for help in this area is great. 

Your "campsite" is provided.  We have 30 amp electric service and water.  A blue boy is available for the sewer.  Here is a picture of our site and some of the rigs. 

Our site

Our leaders rig (John and Eileen)

Our sites are a little cozy but everyone is so friendly.  At 7 p.m. we had our organizational meeting and the different projects and needs were explained.  Many of our members have a wide variety of experience and have worked at many different projects.  But experience is not a requirement and they are more than willing to teach you how to tile, dry wall, frame...you name it.

Our leaders for the project are John and Eileen and they have been full timing for over 10 years.  They have led many projects and have made us all feel very welcome.  They are very organized and have such a great sense of humor.  Be prepared to laugh a lot at one of these projects.  Our group comes from all over the U.S. and range in age. Our site managers with the Hearts and Hands Ministries are Andy and Connie. 



John and Eileen (head of table)



Our assignment is a small home that is in dire need of paint.  We drove out on Monday and met the owner. This home has been in the same family since it was built.  The owners Aunt currently lives in the home.   They are very excited that we are here and we immediately started working.  Here are a few pictures of the projedt and the work completed to date. 

We are working with a Randy and Fran.  This is their first project and we have really enjoyed working with them.  Randy was a pilot in the Air Force and Fran was a medical assistant.  They are both very handy and have taught me a lot about painting and tools.   They brought with them a "mother lode" of supplies and have a great truck for hauling all the stuff we need each day. 

Scrapping off the old paint (John, Eileen, and Randy)

Fran

We scrapped and scrapped for three days.  You can call me Chip!

Lunch (Eileen, John, Fran,Randy, and John)

Power washing (Fran and John)

Before and after priming

Randy using a spray painter 

On Friday Randy was able to finish the painting of the home.  We will return next week and paint the shutters and other areas that were not painted with the spray gun.  We were very happy with the progress that was made this week.  There were three other groups working on homes at the same time.  It was amazing to hear about all that was accomplished. 

We were able to see the Space Shuttle Discovery blast off into space just after finishing up on Friday.  That was a thrill to see. 



Space Shuttle Discovery



It is a bird, no its a plane, no its the Space Shuttle

On Saturday we told the group we were going kayaking...would anyone be interested?  It turned out we had 12 brave participants.  The Wekiva River is not far from Eustis and there was a outfitter that could provide all the kayaks and canoes.  So, after a Perkins breakfast we convoyed over to the launch site.  When we arrived it sort of reminded us of the Deliverance movie, however, the owner (Martha)was very helpful and provided us with all the promised kayak's and gave us suggestions for areas to explore. 

Weikiva is a Creek Indian term for "spring of water" or "bubbling water." This river is also known as the American Wild and Scenic River.  We paddled downstream for probably 3 miles and saw a few homes at first but then we were surrounded by a very pristine enviorment with pine flatwoods and marshland.  The river is spring fed and at times your could smell the sulfur and see the bubbling springs. 



Two Ahinga's



"Small" alligator



Great Egret



Lunch Bunch

The paddle back was a little harder due to being upstream and against the wind.  Everyone did very well and seemed to enjoy the trip .

NOMADS - Carol, John, Don, Donna, John, Eileen, Fran, Becky, Leo, Connie, Andy, and Paul 

 Today we went downtown to worship at an outdoor church service. This weekend is a big festival called the Georgefest (in honor of George Washington). A local church was offering a service at the band shell.  It was a nice service and the weather was spectacular.  A float plan even flew over and landed right on the lake.  Afterwards we all went out for breakfast.NOMADS is so much more than just the labor that is provided.  It is a unique experience that will certainly provide us some lasting friendships and memories. 

Check back for an update on our project.  We have two more weeks to go and John and Eileen have a long "honey do" list.