Building a Better World

RVers volunteer often and follow maps religiously, so to speak. In this case, following MMAP (the Mobile Missionary Assistance Program) would keep you extremely busy. These RVers not only follow the sun, but the Son.

Being in the “extended-time” RVing category in the last couple of years, I joined Yarnell Community Presbyterian Church in Yarnell, Arizona, for soul nurturing throughout the winter months. At least half of the congregation makes a mass exodus that starts about the time the temperature climbs toward the triple digits. These are RVers of various denominations, heading north to summer hearth and home, to exciting destinations unknown, or very possibly, to a satisfying season of volunteering.

Out of hundreds of volunteering possibilities, MMAP shines as an endeavor by an outstanding group of Christians who are willing to do construction, renovation, remodeling, or help in whatever ways are needed. This might take them to a church, a camp, a rescue mission or an orphanage.

Unfinished Job
Our church started a major reconstruction job two years ago that literally “raised the roof,” added three rooms and two porches, and changed, improved and utilized other areas. Church members volunteered their talents shoulder to shoulder with professionals and the changes were accomplished far quicker than anyone anticipated. However, after the initial charge of many months’ duration, everyone was tired and frazzled to the core. The “niggling” finishing details remained.

MMAPers came to the rescue. The group I’ll tell you about was our third set of MMAP workers. The couples arrived in RVs, parked where they could plug in to electric, and plunged in. They installed or fixed windows, built shelves, wired for sound and lights, replaced pipes, winterized plumbing and performed a multitude of other jobs it would have taken the next five years for our members to complete.

Our church members provided lunches and break-time snacks. The men worked Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. with an hour for lunch and two breaks. It was mentioned tongue in cheek that MMAP really stands for “Meals, Munchies And Potlucks!” Sometimes the women from MMAP were as involved as the men were, but often they did other things to help, such as cataloguing church music or creating items for our bazaar. This particular group spent at least a couple of evenings helping us build a float for the Yarnell Days parade, and each Sunday morning they joined us for services. The Weavers even joined the choir for those weeks.

MMAP Projects
MMAP is a non-denominational and inter-denominational non-profit charitable organization approved by the IRS. Members are financially independent, self-supporting, and pay their own transportation costs to and from project sites, although some costs are tax deductible. They choose several projects in the U.S. or Canada where they might enjoy traveling, and eventually they are assigned one of them. Both skilled and unskilled workers are needed.

Each project lasts three weeks and each MMAP couple is required to work a minimum of four projects each year. They furnish their own tools.

Bill and Jane Lucas, 62 and 61, from Prescott, Arizona, have been full-time RVers and MMAPers for one month. Yarnell was their first project. Newbies are required to start as “Buddies” to learn the ropes before they are assigned. Their fifth wheel will take them next to a Mason, Iowa, project. They learned of MMAP through friends.

The Kornoffs, John 59, and Janice 57, most recently from California, have been full-time RVers for one year, driving a motorhome with a tow. They heard about the project and decided it was a great way to see the country and serve the Lord. In only two months being MMAPers, they have already been involved in two Arizona projects. Their next project will take them to Utah, then the Northeast, and eventually all areas of the United States.

On to New Hampshire
Larry Martin, 66, and his wife, Judy, 62, are from Avondale, Arizona. They have also been full-time RVers for one year. After hearing about MMAP through friends, they joined it five months ago and have been doing a little of everything while participating in three Texas and Arizona projects. Their fifth wheel will take them to New Hampshire for the next project. Larry says, “MMAP is a great way to give back on your many blessings. We meet wonderful people and get to travel anywhere in the USA.”

Californians John and Kathy Kracke, 67 and 66, have been extended-time RVers traveling in a motorhome with a tow vehicle for the past six years. Friends of theirs discovered MMAP on the Internet and joined. John says, “We started out as their ‘Buddies,’ then joined.” Since September of 2006, they have finished four projects in Washington, California and Arizona. By August, they will know where they are going for an October project. Kathy’s comment: “We have met many wonderful people, not only MMAP people, but also the people we have worked for at the projects. We really enjoy doing productive things. It is a practical way of serving God. Being useful gives us joy.”

Dave and Shirley Weaver, 76 and 74, are neither full- nor extended-time RVers. They maintain a California home and travel to four projects a year via their fifth wheel and truck. After completing the Yarnell project, they will return home until further assigned for an October project. Dave says, “I have no particular construction skills but help those who do. I am frequently assigned as a coordinator.” He was the coordinator in Yarnell.

Dave said, “We spent a year working on building a church at Santa Rosa, California. During the second year of building, the MMAPers were brought in. Their information sounded interesting but we waited five years for Shirley to retire, then became MMAPers ourselves.” They didn’t just become MMAPers, they did it big time. Shirley and Dave have been in the program 13 years with 49 projects in California, Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Arizona. Shirley adds, “We really enjoy visiting other places and Christian fellowship with those who love the Lord. We also volunteer with Gideon’s International.”

There you have it. This is just one volunteer opportunity to help bring “Joy to the World” of someone who needs help. God Bless!

For information about MMAP, visit www.mmap.org or send an e-mail to mmaphq@mmap.org.

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