Camp Called; Cutters Complied!

Once again we were contacted by our friends at Camp Sumatanga and asked if we might be able to remove 6 trees that were all dead but standing (or leaning) in precarious positions and places such that if they ever fell down on their own or were blown down in a storm could potentially harm people or property at camp. Of course we were eager to help out and continue our chainsaw cutting skills; especially as we have been so blessed as to NOT be hit by severe storms activity in our geographic region so far this year.  And so, on Wednesday, September 20, 2015, we mustered at camp and were shown our assignments by camp development officer and co-worker for the day, Rev. Mark Parris.

Out intrepid in-the-woods team consisted of 8 members: (L to R: Ray Miller, Ken Clements, Alan Weeks, John Boettner, Buddy Williams, Boyd Martin, Henry Averyt and Bob Thompson.

Our assignments consisted of an 80-foot dead pine tree standing perilously close to the camp administration building; two 80-foot pines along Old Sumatanga Road near the lake, a hardwood tree hanging over a cabin at Pool Camp AND already resting on live power lines (and perhaps you'll recall that we have a new-found, healthy respect for tree branches and electrical wires based upon our experience at Nauvoo several weeks ago); and two hardwood trees - one camp had dubbed the "widowmaker" - overhanging the paved trail located across the dam on the far side of the lake.

We tackled them in that order with the following results:

The big pine standing beside the administration building - before: The big pine standing beside the administration building - during:

The big pine standing beside the administration building - after:

The twin lake pines - before: The twin lake pines - during:

The twin lake pines - after:

The Pool Camp leaner - before: The Pool Camp leaner (showing the power lines issue at hand!) - during:

The Pool Camp leaner - after:

Across the dam / across the lake little leaner - before: Across the dam / across the lake little leaner - during (sorry, no after picture but we DID clean up the debris after we took down the tree!):

The "widowmaker" - before: The "widowmaker" - during; by the way, look what we can do with the appropriate gear!  We were able to borrow camp's bucket truck...a great addition to our armament of mechanical tools helping us to complete our work!

The "widowmaker" - during: The "widowmaker" - after:

Camp generously provided us with lunch to nourish our bodies and prepare us to continue to stay alert and work safely during our afternoon of cutting ahead.  We dined on turkey sandwiches, potato chips, grapes, salad and iced tea.  They also offered us dessert but our Cutters for Christ sisters, Nancy Miller and Kim Boettner, generously sent along baked goods with their husbands - brownies and cookies, respectively - to tantalize our sweet teeth while working in the woods!  Thank you both, Nancy and Kim!

So that was our day at Camp Sumatanga.  Mission fully accomplished by the team in 6 hours and all for the glory of God and the further building of His kingdom. Hopefully those who come to camp this summer will enjoy the safer scenic views of His creation and the safer buildings resulting from the dead trees we removed; and if campers come next Fall or Winter, they will enjoy the the warmth created by the firewood resulting from the hardwoods we cut down, as well. Lastly, don't forget to stay in touch with us by occasionally reading our blog at cuttersforchrist.bolgspot.com in your spare moments.  Blessings to all!

In His Service, Bob