It was a hot Sunday afternoon as we all arrived in our separate vehicles to begin our journey to Henryville, Indiana. We were 28 individuals, younger and older, setting out on a mission to assist in rebuilding some small part of the Henryville area, devastated by tornadoes on March 2 of this year. 14 people died in these late winter twisters, with hundreds of homes, businesses, churches and schools destroyed or damaged. We were to be, as we found out, the followers behind 7600 folk who since March 3 had come to the area to assist in clean-up and rebuilding efforts! And the work, we were to find, will stretch for another 14 – 18 months after our foray.
Preparing for departure, in the shade (wise folk!)
Well, there we were — gathered at St. Patrick Parish parking lot, lolling/waiting for the pastor to arrive. When he did appear, we quickly loaded all the vehicles to go, briefly shared a plan of when and where to stop, and set out. In caravan through the streets of eastern Terre Haute, to Indiana 46, thence to I-70 West we sped (within posted limits, more or less!) We attained I-465 South at Indianapolis, tooling along in traffic that did not seem to notice the speed limit markers (that’s Indy for you!), coursing our way onto I-65 South toward our eventual destination. No events of note so far.
But then the plan unraveled somewhat. Our haste to depart left us without a cell number for each vehicle’s occupants, and the scheduled dinner break at Columbus became a dinner break at Columbus, Seymour and Henryville! No harm in this, just a few anxious moments, a tentative stop to regroup in smaller gaggles, a repast at various eateries accompanied by texts, e-mails and cell conversations to ascertain that all were well.
Leaving I-65 at the Henryville exit, we wound our way on US 31 and county road to our home for a week: Country Lake Christian Retreat in Underwood, Indiana.
Prior correspondence had indicated that our troop 0f 28 would be housed in The Lodge, a dormitory building for men and women. More recent rumor had us being housed in either wagons or teepees (see below)! To our surprise, an apology greeted us: the center was sorry (!), but we would be housed at the retreat center for the week — a structure the likes of a 3 star motel! Our welcomer smiled, kindly instructed us, and set us on our way to our rooms — each with 2 queen sized beds, a private bath, a desk, and a sliding door to the porch/patio! Containing our disappointment (!?), we unpacked, with some exploring (the youth quickly finding the pool room, setting about youthful competition).
One of our original “housing” options: Wagons
Another “housing” option: teepees!
Lobby of our actual accommodations: The Retreat Center
Entrance to Country Lake Retreat Center
View of Retreat Center from the lake shore
Youth at play
We gathered with all 110 volunteers (!) from various Christian denominations at about 9:00pm to go over house rules, site rules, and find out our work assignments. Our group asked Steve Douglas (SP), Ken Nordmeyer (SP), Steve Canal (SMM), and Kathy Hutton (SMM) to work with the site and task assignment leader. Fr. Rick was to work with the volunteer coordinator about group logistics. Before these folk split off from our group, God’s people joined in a prayerful dedication of our work yet to come, our thanks for safe arrival, and our hope to make a difference in the lives of those whom we were to serve.
We departed rather quickly for our rooms and the day to come. All were to be in their rooms by 10pm, and lights out by 11pm. But there were youth in our group, right? And some lost track (?) of time. A knock upon Father Rick’s door came, with a youthful messenger concerned out the noise some were making on the 2nd floor. Donning clothes only recently abandoned for sleep, Father Rick journeyed up the stairs and down a long hallway to encourage said youth to bed and sleep. All readily agreed, with one being astute enough to ask “Were we than loud that you could hear all the way down at your room on the first floor?” The question remained without response, lest the youthful messenger be revealed. (This was the last time I had such an evening interruption; the work would take a toll even on the energy of youth for the next 4 days!)
Tomorrow would soon dawn!
thpastor 