By Lindsey Williams
Writing Specialist
With summer only a few months away, the staff at Garaywa Camp and Conference Center is gearing up for various construction projects around the campgrounds. In moving picnic tables out of the way, Roddy Reed, manager of Garaywa, noticed many were in need of repair or replacement.
“Some of these tables have been here longer than me,” said Reed, who has worked at Garaywa for 25 years. “As I began to think about this project, I immediately thought about Mr. Ron Saul from (First Church) Crystal Springs. He and other men there have done projects for us in the past.”
Reed reached out to Saul, who agreed to help build the 14 tables needed for the project. Saul put together a design and sent Reed a materials list.
“They picked the materials up before Christmas and wound up making 16 tables for Garaywa over the holidays,” Reed said.
Saul and his colleagues enjoy getting together for service projects, such as cutting down trees, picking up limbs, and mowing grass.
“Those guys are the best,” Saul stated of his team. “You can just call on them and they’re willing to serve. We enjoy our fellowship and doing things for people.”
When asked about their work on the 16 tables, Saul commented, “I’ll share with you what Roddy told me that just moved me. He said, ‘They have Bible studies outdoors and they’ll come sit on these picnic tables. There’s a good possibility that somebody will come to know Jesus as their Savior sitting at that table.’ Almost brought a tear to my eye to hear that. That really makes it worthwhile.”
Saul expressed that his prayer for the kids who sit at those tables is “that they will grow and learn about the Lord and serve Him.”
“I tell people I was in church before I was born,” Saul laughed. “Not everybody has that advantage. That’s a good place to be. So I pray these kids will grow up studying the Bible and find out their niche in life and where God wants them. I pray they will get in there and serve Him.”
Reed praised Saul and his team from First Church, Crystal Springs, for the thoughtfulness and craftsmanship they put into constructing the tables.
“I know the reason they do this is because they know Whom they are doing this for: the Lord,” Reed said. “I am very grateful for all our volunteers that come and help further the Lord’s ministry at Garaywa.”
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