By Nelda Malone, Reporter
Our Master’s Builders work for 2024 began on March 4 at StoneRidge Baptist Camp in Smithville. We all look forward to the opportunity to work at this camp and see our dear friends and camp hosts, Scott Small, his wife, Myrtie and their family. It has been three years since we were able to come and work at StoneRidge, and it was so good to see them!
As our two-week work period ended, if you were to drive up and look around the camp you would not see a new building that had been built or any other outward signs of our group being there. But at these camps, and some churches, the improvements and needed changes may be on the inside. That was the situation at StoneRidge Camp this year. There was a need for another handicap accessible shower and bathroom area, which would allow all campers to have the needed facilities to use while they were at the camp. This involved tearing out and moving old plumbing, which was quite a job for some of our men!
There was a need for a new dorm area for the young men and women who work at the camp during the summer, so walls had to be moved and access doors put in place to create this new dorm space. The canteen area needed to be enlarged to more than twice its current size, which involved moving a whole wall, (which the men managed to do without tearing it apart) and adding another serving window. A bathroom was also added to the canteen. In one of the large dorms, the men built two walls with access doors to divide one large room and make a hallway down the middle. A painted “facelift” was given to one of the outdoor pavilion areas, and lastly, a new GaGa pit was built for outside fun for the campers. Most of us old folks had never heard of a GaGa pit a few years ago, but that has certainly changed! We have built them at Daniel Springs Camp, Jacksonville College and at StoneRidge Camp. The kids and young adults love them! So, as you can see, there was much needed work to be done and it will be much appreciated by the ones who come to this camp each year. Last year alone, there were 115 professions of faith at StoneRidge! Praise God!
We do ask that you pray for our Master’s Builders men. Most are in their 70s and 80s and the work is hard for them on some days. However, the Lord has been faithful to give them the strength for each job and health and safety while they work. Thank you, Lord!
A special thank you to Bro. Scott and Myrtie! They always take such good care of us while we work. Thank you, Lord, for their call to serve at StoneRidge Baptist Camp. We come away from StoneRidge with a renewed commitment to continue to serve the Lord, in whatever way He gives us the opportunity — this year, and in years to come. We begin each workday with a devotional time, prayer and a song — “The Family of God.” We all are so thankful to be a part of the “family.” Afterward, we head out determined, sometimes aching and stiff, but truly happy to be able to do whatever we can to serve our Lord.
Our next job is set for April 8-19 at Oak Ridge Baptist Church in Cassville, Mo. If you are in the area, come by and visit with us or come help for the day.
Follow us on Facebook — “Like” our page at “The Master’s Builders” (arbor logo) and watch for daily updates with lots of pictures and information about work being done.
If you have questions about The Master’s Builders ministry, or if your church has building needs, contact Mike Green at (972) 935-3877, David Axe at (903) 918-0702 or Eddie Sikes at (479) 462-1675.
