Week 51 - Back Where We Started
As we enter into the final weeks of our journey on the LOST Bus, it's only natural that I start reminiscing and experiencing things as coming "Full Circle." After all, we have completed the massive circuit around the United States, from the Atlantic to the Pacific and back again, voyaging into each uniquely different corner of our nation along the way. Since we left on our journey, the Earth has orbited almost completely around the sun (only a few short days away now)! The most potent full-circle moment of all though was felt this week as we returned to Wauchula, Florida—the very first stop we made on the bus almost a year ago.
For the first time all year, we had the opportunity to return not only to the same place but also to the same volunteer organization. If you recall from our first week, Send Me Missions (SMM), is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Wauchula, Florida, a small town of about 7,000 people. SMM specializes in disaster recovery, and when Hurricane Ian came smashing through Wauchula last year, SMM quickly became the voice of reason as well as the hands and feet of action, leading the way in the recovery effort. The President of SMM, Jamie Samuels (and our friend for the last year), caught us up on everything we had missed since our last visit—I'll paraphrase the gist.
"A year ago, our world was chainsaws, tarps, and muck boots. The goal was to get people safe, clear the roads, keep people dry, and get the muck out of people's homes. Since then, the needs and challenges facing our county have evolved, and we have had to evolve with them. Now we are rebuilding homes to a point of habitability—redoing kitchens and at least one bathroom, installing new doors and windows. We are essentially a contracting company in all but a license. In fact, we have more active job sites than any local contractor I know of. Last year, we were in a scramble in the wake of the storm because everything was crazy, and we were trying to figure it all out on the fly. Since then, we have grown as the problems have grown and adjusted to assist as solutions have become more complex. Now we are just plain crazy because we keep growing and taking on more and more responsibility."
When we were with SMM last time, Jamie was the only full-time employee, aided by one part-time worker (Tasha) and an army of volunteers. Now, only a year later, SMM employs something like 13 people. When we left Wauchula last time, we knew there was enough work in this community for us to stay and volunteer the entire year, but somehow there is a difference in knowing a truth and seeing a truth. Since we left, Jamie and SMM have been working nonstop, and it shows by how much they have grown.
Because we had the unique opportunity to return to a group we had already worked with, we were able to jump right back in and forgo all the usual conversations about who we are and what we do. We already know SMM and love their mission, and likewise, they already know us and know what our capabilities are. Before we even arrived in town, Jamie had assigned us a house with a long list of tasks: replacing the water heater, installing new kitchen cabinets and sink, renovating a bathroom, installing AC window units, and putting in new exterior doors. We were able to complete all this and even help assist on a house that still has a few more weeks of work left in it.
Our great friend Nick Richardson even broke away from grad school for a day and a half to work alongside us.
Besides being productive, returning to a place where a relationship is already established and you are known was also extremely refreshing for us. In addition to spending time with all the good folks at SMM, we got to see our favorite FireFighter Ricky and his daughter Kyla (who in the last year has gone from a bow fishing extraordinaire to a rodeo queen). Ricky organized a bowling night on Tuesday that roughly 30 of our closest Wauchula friends all joined in on. I'm normally a subpar bowler at best, but there must have been some magic in the air because I recorded a 200—my best score ever by far (sorry to flex so hard on our blog, but this was genuinely one of the proudest achievements of my life).
Some of the gang at bowling night
Proof of previous flex
We also got to spend considerable time with the Reichel family—our original connection to the town of Wauchula. Last year we felt loved, welcomed, and comfortable around them right away. They felt like our people—perhaps because both Matt and Savannah are also proud Clemson alumni. Now this year upon our return, we cherished the opportunity to get to spend even more time with their sweet family and were once again blown away by their hospitality and how easy time with them seems to be. We enjoyed many a meal together, joined them at their Wednesday night church service where both Matt and Savannah assist with the youth group and lead their own small groups, and spent every night parked in their driveway (I'm afraid the grass in their front yard will show the scars of our stay for weeks to come).
As great as Matt and Savannah are (and they are incredible), the real secret sauce of what makes time spent with their family so sweet is the Reichel children: Reese, Palmer, and Tripp. These three kids are the most respectful, loving, and, above all else, joyful children I think I have ever spent time with. I'm about as far from fatherhood as I could be right now, but they have me extremely excited to start my own family one day… or at least to be an uncle one day. I can only hope my kids turn out half as good as the Reichel bunch.
Reese, Palmer, and Tripp - I mean how can you not love this trio
Another monumental event this week was the celebration of Davis Linscott's 25th birthday on Friday! Having known Davis for 6 years now, I got to reflect on our own history—going from buddies to friends to real good friends and now, after our experience on the bus, brothers. Having the opportunity to know somebody so well and for so long is a true testament, as I can only speak highly of this incredible man. The things that ring true about Davis and his character are hardworking, energetic, entertaining, flat out brilliant, and above all else, intentional and a true servant, always putting others before himself. I feel immeasurably blessed to know Davis as a friend and uniquely indebted to his vigor for life—a big part of what made this LOST Bus dream possible.
Celebrating 25 right with a visit to Busch Gardens (Shout out Matt Reichel for tracking down some free tickets!)
W even got to meet a real life. mermaid - magical
Little Davis - ALMOST as cute as a Reichel kid!