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Kerry & Judy's Place
Our page has two distinct areas that we are developing at this time. The first section will concentrate on our volunteer work as we move throughout the country. The second will be a family related section that will provide news and updates.
Background.
In late 2002 Judy and I decided to sell our home in Eastern Washington and find something that we both wanted to do with our lives. Working for DOE in the TriCities of Washington had its rewards and certainly the monetary rewards were quite good. All three of our children had departed home to begin (or further) their adult lives and we were trying to refocus our next chapter on something that would help others and at the same time keep us challenged.
In May of 2003 Kerry resigned his job and on June 1 we began our work with the Mobile Missionary Assistance Program (MMAPers). In a nutshell this is what we signed up for:
1. No Monetary Pay
2. Must have an RV.
3. Must work a minimum of 4 Projects per year (3 weeks long) at carpentry related projects throughout the U.S.
4. Must pick from a list of provided projects to work with other retired couples.
5. All work is done on Christian properties that request help,,, includes churches, camps, retreat centers, etc.
6. Must be a Christian.
7. Must be a heterosexual married couple.
For the above commitments we are provided the following:
A. A place to park our RV.
B. Electrical hook-ups of some type and water.
C. Some means of dumping sewer.
The Reward.
How do you explain to folks that have not experienced it..... how helping others in need with no expectation of monetary pay can be the most rewarding thing one does in his or her life.
A QUOTE FROM ONE OF THE GROUPS THAT WE HAVE HELPED DESCRIBING US AS FOLLOWS, " hugs that make you feel like family, boundless energy that will make someone half their age feel like picking up the pace, wonderful sense of humor, generosity beyond measure, serving and NEVER complaining about the task, exampling through grace and love marriages that have stood the test of time."
Anyway, our initial focus will be to depict some of the wonderful projects that we have been fortunate enough to be a part of. Hopefully this will give folks an idea of some of the truly needy ministries that are right here in our own country.
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This page was last updated: July 3, 2009
Kerry & Judy Cameron
MMAP headquarters phone numbers:
(909) 795-3944
1(866) 745-3848
email: mmaphq@mmap.org
www.mmap.org
A NOTE FROM MMAP HEADQUARTERS
Membership in MMAP is restricted to Christian heterosexual married couples. Members are required to have a Self contained Recreational Vehicle (motor home, trailer, or camper). Each member is required to work a project within 90 days after joining and complete four projects each year. When joining, and again each year, each member completes a "Work Schedule Commitment", in which they let MMAP HQ know in which months, by region, they plan to work the following year.
A "project" lasts for three weeks with the members arriving on the first Friday of the month. Members work only four days per week, usually Monday through Thursday. Work hours are from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. with a mid-morning coffee break, a full hour for lunch and a mid-afternoon coffee break. The days start with a twenty to thirty-minute devotional time prior to work.
MMAP has divided the U.S. into six regions: Regions 1, 3, and 5 are in the northern half where we work April thru October. Regions 2, 4, and 6 are in the southern half where we work October thru April. Each member is provided with a map of the regions.
We do our best to have our monthly "Newsletter" to our members by the 10th of each month. It lists the organizations which are requesting our help, the type of help needed, how many couples needed, and directions to the RV parking area. The activity is required to provide parking spaces with a minimum of 20 amps of electricity per RV, water, and a method of sewage disposal. We also list the RV size limit, if any, the altitude of the project and if pets are permitted. The requests for projects are listed three months into the future. For example: In October the Newsletter will list the planned projects for January. It will include a "Questionaire" for the members to indicate their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. choices. Assignments are made from those choices by the HQ Board of Directors. After the assignments are made the selections will be listed in the next (November) Newsletter. In similar manner, each published newsletter will have two consecutive months of project assignments along with the proposed list for the third month. This enables you to know two months in advance where you will be working and also know which choices you will have for the third month.
Normally, all projects begin on the first Friday of the month. We always have a week and sometimes two weeks between projects. This is done to aid those who are working consecutive months. We normally have 15 to 25 projects each month depending upon the number of couples that commit to work.
Our ministry is to help churches, bible camps, Christian schools and other Christ centered organizations with construction, remodeling, and repair. Experience in construction is not a requirement. We learn from each other and need people at any experience level. We believe if you make yourself available, the Lord will make you capable.
As of January 2008, 45 % of the members had 5th wheel trailers, 45% had motor homes, and 10% had pull trailers.
We do not recommend you go out and purchase a whole bunch of tools, but do bring what you have and add if you feel a need. We do ask that you at least have a nail apron, a hammer, a tape measure, and tri-square.
I would not even hazard a guess at the average amount of annual expenses. It varies with each member, from the affluent to those living on social security. Since the place you work furnishes parking and utilities that helps in reduced living expenses.
MMAP presently has an active membership of about 160 couples. Fellowship is one of the key elements in MMAP, with game nights, potlucks, and various off-hour activities. It becomes like family and we hope you decide to join our family.
MMAP has developed a "buddy program" for couples, who meet all the requirements for membership as outlined in the MMAP Policy Manual, but would like to experience a MMAP project before actually joining. This program is designed so that an interested couple can, with a MMAP member as their sponsor, work a project to determine if this ministry is for them. Interested couples who may already know a MMAP couple are encouraged to ask them to be their sponsor. However, for those of you who may not know any MMAPers you can contact us here at Headquarters, at 866-745-3848, and we will do our best to work with you to locate a sponsor and a project to fit your schedule
(541) 325-2544
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