Weekly Report for Bastrop

The Lost Pine Forest is a 13-mile (21 km) belt of loblolly pines near Bastrop. There are many headings with the words “lost pines” as you drive to the work sites of the homes that MDS is working on. There is a Lost Pine Road, Lost Pine Cancer Care, Lost Pine Paint Shop, Lost Pine Resort and much more named after this forest. Who would have ever thought that so many of these beautiful tall loblolly pines would have been lost in the wild fire of Sept. 2011. Possibly the name “lost pine” is more significant now.

This week we had a small group of volunteers BUT don’t underestimate what was accomplished! Elizabeth and Dexter came from MI and met their friends here from WA, Mike and Lois. Also, Bill, Jerry and Virgil from Oklahoma City came at short notice. Crew Leaders Roger and Bill were kept busy organizing the job sites. By the way, these people also had beautiful voices, so singing praises each day was very meaningful.

At Ms. Michelle and Mr. Juan’s house the sub-floor was put down and the vinyl flooring installation is complete. Some light fixtures were assembled and hung. Mr. Juan made a delicious lunch again for all the volunteers on Friday. Juan said that he can hardly wait to move into the house, he said he can almost “taste” it!

At Ms. Robin’s house the remainder of the walls were erected, and trusses were put into place and sheeting and felt paper was completed.

At Ms. Hilary’s house there is still more tweaking to be done. We are so thankful for volunteers that are patient and find materials that can finish small jobs in order to complete the overall job.

On Wednesday evening Rev. Gill Keyworth from the Episcopal Diocese of Texas came for supper at the MDS site and spoke how she is involved with the Long Term Recovery Team in Bastrop. Her presentation gave us a bit of a glimpse into the fires that destroyed 1600 homes in Bastrop County. In the Episcopal Church in Bastrop alone, 40 families lost their homes including the Priest’s house. We are very thankful for Rev. Keyworth who gives support through spiritual and counseling care to the families that are dealing with emotional trauma from the fires.

Long-term Volunteers:  Anne and Roger Friesen, Flo and Bill Thiessen, Lydia and Peter Schroeder