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Wednesday, March 17, 2010

How to Become a NOMAD

Instead of telling you what we did yesterday I was thinking that there may be some folks who are interested in knowing more about NOMADS.  I thought I'd give you the short "brochure" version:

One said earlier in the week that they toured the country for a while in their RV going coast to coast.  Volunteering with NOMADS gave them purpose.  In our case, it has become more of a calling too.
NOMADS stands for:  NOMADS On a Mission Active in Divine Service.

At our site here in Galveston, we have nine couples working on three houses.
We have some folks from Michigan, Missouri, Arkansas, Texas, South Dakota.  I think five or six of us are full-timers.  Others RV about six months and volunteer a couple of times during the other six months.
We have learned a lot about different parts of the country since we have joined NOMADS.  During the last nine months, we have spent time in Pontiac Illinois, Greensburg Kansas, and here in Galveston.  We have come to appreciate a lot of new things about each area.
At each job site/project we bring our own tools and use some that others have brought.  Some people have a whole pick up truck full of tools and equipment while some don't have any tools.  We have drills, a Skil saw, hammers, a couple of tool belts, clamps, paint brushes...  
We work Monday through Thursday each week with devotions and a team meeting starting at 7:30 AM  and ending at 4:00 PM.  We are usually at the job site by about 8:30 AM.  We have a morning and afternoon break and an hour for lunch.
NOMADS is sponsored by the United Methodist Church and one of their many outreach programs.  We are not Methodists although we represent them as NOMADS.  NOMADS are not required to belong to the UMC but it is a Christian faith-based organization.

NOMADS is always looking for new volunteers.  They have over 1000 members, but the need is great.  Yesterday's news of the flooding in the Northeast and in the Midwest made me think of all those homes that will need to be repaired.

The government can't do it all.  Here in Galveston, over 2000 homes remain on the list to be repaired from the damage done during Hurricane Ike in 2008.  Building and construction here in Galveston is strong.  Many commercial builders and volunteers like us are on the island.

If you'd like to know more, let me know or call the NOMADS office at:  1-866-466-6237.  Or take a look at their website.  Click here.
We'd love to see more NOMADS out here!

Thanks for viewing the Roadrunner Chronicles today!

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