Campers On Mission In Texas

From Memphis we reached Texarkana, TX and a military resort known as Elliott Lake Recreation Area under the command of the Red River Army Depot. One must drive several miles from I-30 through tall pines to reach the gorgeous lake, and as the resort name implies, fishing and boating are favorite activities. There are several spacious log cottages, shelters and a boat launch and conference center. This would be an ideal place for an Airstream rally or family reunion.

After basking in sunshine and gentle breezes for a few days, we traveled on to a Corps of Engineers campground near Proctor, TX for one night. Then we drove a short distance to a Baptist camp on Lake Brownwood to attend a four-day Campers on Mission (COM) rally. Texas is divided into four regions, and we do work projects wherever the Lord leads us. Most of the projects are accomplished in Baptist camps, as our efforts save the camps a lot of money. These difficult economic times have taken their toll on the camps’ budgets. Twice a year workers from all four regions gather to worship, sing, share project experiences, and participate in games and fellowship. All camps have RV sites with hookups.

Following the rally, we had a week off before beginning a Region 4 COM project at East Texas Baptist Encampment near Newton, not far from the Louisiana Border. We elected to stay for the week at another Airstream Park located on Sam Rayburn Lake near Zavalla, TX. That location would put us within 80 miles of the forthcoming project. From Brownwood to Zavalla was a full day’s drive, and we were delighted to reach our destination just before dark. This park is different from our North Texas Airstream Community in that only 22 couples live there full-time. As well, they have their own water and sewage plants, where we have city utilities. This puts a strain on their budget. Hence, there is less emphasis on keeping roads and buildings repaired. However, they have a great clubhouse, and one could not ask for a friendlier group of people. They involved us immediately into their fellowship, which included morning coffee gatherings and a steak dinner one night. A Texas Gulf Coast Unit rally took place on the weekend bringing games, fellowship, and lots of good food. Our close Florida Airstream friends, Chuck and Joyce, who were unit members with us in Northern Virginia, also came in time for the rally. We had not seen them since departing from Gillette, WY on July 5. They had agreed to meet us in Zavalla and attend the forthcoming COM work project in Newton. The rally ended with an uplifting Sunday morning worship service led by Fred. He, along with his lovely wife, Ruth Ann, had gone out of their way all week to make us feel welcome and comfortable.

Chuck, Joyce and we then traveled on to Newton for the project. Around 10 rigs found their sites on a sandy hill among the tall pines, and we all had dinner together and then played Joker. A few additional workers would arrive during the next couple of days. While on a mission project, the campsites are free as are lunches and dinners. This camp had a cook on duty most of the week, and her husband was in charge of maintenance and assigning our jobs. Our Region 4 COM leaders are Jimmie and Retha, who are friendly, well-organized, empathic, and dedicated. They keep up with unit members weekly and inform us when one of our workers is need of prayer. We have the most active region in the state. Typically, the group engages in four projects each year lasting two weeks each. We were involved in Campers on Mission in Virginia for several years, but we have never experienced this caliber of leadership and dedication. Each day begins with a hearty greeting from Jimmie and a worker prayer circle beginning at 8:00 a.m. At 9:30 we have a coffee break and then take an hour for lunch. At 2:30 p.m. we enjoy another refreshment break and then eat supper at 5:00 p.m. Devotions are held each evening at 7:00 p.m., and then we play rousing games of Joker (usually men against women) until around 9:00 p.m. Jerry led one devotional, entitled, "Why Christians Need Not Fear Jihad. The text was the last chapter of the Bible. Too bad that the Muslim extremists don't understand this Word from the Lord. They will not win.

This East Texas project mostly involved the complete upgrading of the camp manager’s residence. The position is vacant, and the residence was in sad shape when we began. In order to recruit an ideal candidate, all floors and walls of the house had to be refurbished. There was also a need for plumbing and electrical work, plus installing new kitchen cabinets and some appliances. Gloria worked in the kitchen, while Jerry and his task buddy, David, affixed several new door closers in the dining and dorm areas. They also installed three big-screen, wall-mounted TVs, and removed old soiled carpeting in the manger’s residence, replacing it with new laminate. Chuck (black sweater left) worked mostly in the residence kitchen removing old flooring and replacing it with new tile. Joyce (photo right) helped the ladies paint various rooms. We, Chuck and Joyce could stay for only one week, so on Saturday our friends headed to Florida. We stayed until Monday morning to enjoy the weekend with the group and attend a terrific church service on Sunday in Jasper, TX.