Sycamores Chapel update from CRM Sanctuary Outpost Director

This is an update of where we are with respect to October meetings and our construction schedule.

Yesterday we completed the septic tank fields that will enable us to host larger gatherings.  We put in 230' of lateral lines and another freeze proof water faucet.  We have begun the painting of the exterior walls and we will soon take delivery on a portable building we will use for washing machines, driers, and freezers to hold the food stuff we are putting up both to feed the mission family this winter and to share with the less fortunate.  The two projects are expensive but necessary and the septic system is fully paid for.  We have a new air handler in the sanctuary thanks to the gift we received from Chris and Vickie Kilpatrick.  Chris put it in and it is a wonderful unit for our needs for now.  We hope to place new split units in the fellowship hall and sanctuary at a later date as funds allow.  The painting is done in the fellowship hall and we have had the carpet installers in to measure up for the carpet to be placed in the fellowship area.  Once again, that will have to wait until we receive additional funds.  We are ready for the metal roof which will connect all of the separate buildings and that is our next large project.  The metal will cost $3,500 and we have the team to install it.  We have had a gift for the chairs in the sanctuary but we still need the tables and the fellowship hall furniture.  The canning and preserving sinks are here but we need a propane stove for the actual pressure cooking.  We also need a washer and dryer for the wash house and the funds to wire, plumb and heat and air condition that space.  As always we will do the actual work to complete it.  We have the propane tank for the propane canning stove and everything necessary to hook that up.

We are holding a prayer meeting on Tuesday mornings at 9AM and a Bible study at 6:30 PM on Tuesday evening and have had three salvations in the two [free] clinics [Eufaula and Onapa] we partner with.

We are planning on feeding the people of this area.  Here are some statistics for you: 675,000 Oklahomans will go to bed hungry tonight and Oklahoma is in the bottom 5 states for hunger related issues in the United States.  Oklahoma Native Americans have casinos and gambling halls on every corner practically and as you would imagine, many choose this way to try to win themselves out of poverty.  They need a Savior.  We are here to introduce Him to them.

Please pray for the needs of this ministry.  We need to complete the construction phase by October. Our mailing address for tax deductible gifts is:

The Sycamores Chapel,

Rt.2, Box 2131

Checotah Oklahoma 74426. 

May God richly bless you as you serve Him.

Dennis and Sally Maloney

Progress report

For a while we thought we might get a good rain, but only got a sprinkle.  The air got cooler, though.

Yesterday, the plumber did a great job of putting the dirt back as smooth as possible.

The plumber also added a new weather proof faucet behind the storage building.

Sally has seedling trees that will be planted before the fall.

Lateral lines installed...

Dennis and Sally Maloney rearranged the furniture in the Missionary guest room. Still to be done: replace those ugly blue blinds!

We aren't located on the beach, but we do the best we can. 

Today, a major need is being met:  a plumber is laying new lateral line for the septic system. 

While the plumber works, Bro. Dennis mows this large, rough lot with a push mower, in the heat.

Prayer request:  We need a riding lawn mower so Chaplain Baker can do the mowing. Riding a lawn mower is something his health will allow if he starts early when it is still fairly cool.

The plumber progressed rapidly and was finished in a few hours.

The new alcove and door is now painted and looking good.

It had to be painted...

Chaplain Dennis Maloney finishing up with painting the Fellowship room. There is almost as much paint on the walls and ceiling as there is on Bro. Dennis.

Chaplain LaVon Baker helps with the painting.  Don't let this picture fool you, she only painted this one day, but she did paint long enough for Bro. Dennis to drop paint on her back! 

New entrance and windows

While the corn was cooking, LaVon took a few pictures.

A view of the new front door.

Sally moved the adirondack chairs to the front porch.

We are so pleased with this normal size door and the alcove that Norm Agan built!

Dennis got the storage doors framed out and the doors hung.  Lots of good storage behind that door.

I promised a picture of the sanctuary and here it is.  The much needed installment of the windows are also compliments of Norm Agan.  Thank you so much, Bubba!

Try to envision round tables and chairs in this room.  Keep in mind that this will not be your conventional church.  Everything we do seems not to fit in "the box."  This room will also be used to serve a meal, hopefully at least once a week.

The entrance to the sanctuary, looking through the door to the front door.

Dennis and Sally also had a bedroom suite in storage, so that now graces the missionary guest room.  Blue blinds are still hanging, but they are not long for this home.

Dennis and Don discussing the next project:  adding lateral line to the septic system.

Canning and freezing fresh corn

It's Independence Day and Chaplains Don Baker and Dennis Maloney buckle down and do whatever is needed, like shucking corn!

There is a bumper corn crop this year due to the nice spring rains we had here in eastern Oklahoma.

Dennis carries corn silks to the garbage. We sure need some pigs! :-)

The corn canning operation in the little chapel kitchen.

We are thankful for the stove that Dennis and Sally had in storage.

Sally Maloney is a whiz!! She knows all about canning. 

LaVon Baker is a good helper.... and photographer.

Dennis getting more corn to take outside to shuck.

We canned about a total of 100 pints of corn and put 75 ears in the freezer for corn-on-the-cob.

At some point in the future, we envision feeding hot meals here at

The Sycamores Chapel

In the midst of the work...

We have decided to open the doors for Bible study even though we are not nearly finished with the work.  Everything doesn't have to be perfect for us to study and fellowship with others.