Carpenter's Helper

Working in construction was never on my bucket list, but that's what I have found myself doing this past week.

SOWERs are supposed to be self sufficient, either pulling a trailer or driving a motor home. The idea is not to be a burden on the host, whose only responsibility is to provide a spot for parking, power, water and sewer connections. Nanoose Bay Pentecostal Camp is on Vancouver Island, near Port Alberni where I grew up. We had thought in the past about serving there. This project wasn't getting many SOWERs signing up, however, because of the high cost of bringing an RV over to Vancouver Island on the ferry.

Now a new four plex dorm was being built, and the camp administration was offering cabins to live in!

Our cute little house

Surely February and March were Spring months on Vancouver Island, we thought, so we signed up. We found ourselves the only ones signed up. At least we would have neighbours in March, a couple from Edmonton we had once worked with near San Diego.

Were we ever in for a surprise! A huge snowfall in many places in B.C. Also on Vancouver Island! It was a winter wonderland. Not quite like snow at home in Alberta, but heavier, and slushier. The temperatures were milder, too.

The first week was slow going, but finally the cement truck was able to pour the foundation. Progress!

Installing concrete forms

Uncovering boards

The pumper truck bringing concrete

Today I pulled nails out of boards the men had taken off the now-dried concrete foundation. I earned my title; now I am a Carpenter's Helper.

Carpenter's Helper

And there are robins here.

American Robin