“See You Down the Road” | The Sulzles’ Legacy of Service

During my visits with Della Sulzle, an 87-year-old donor and longtime volunteer, I’ve been blessed to hear countless stories from her ten years of service with Builders for Christ (BFC). Della’s generosity and faith continue to shine brightly through her ongoing support of Kingdom Workers today. I wanted to capture a few of her reflections—both to honor her impact and to inspire others who serve.

—Tamara Leyrer

Della and Merlyn’s Builders for Christ Journey

At around 60 years old, Della and Merlyn Sulzle made a life-changing decision. Though not yet financially ready to retire, they left their jobs after hearing about BFC from a friend. With faith leading the way, they told themselves:

“If we do this for Christ, Christ will be there for us.”

And He was.

A Leap of Faith

Their first BFC experience was in the Twin Cities, and it didn’t take long for them to fall in love with the work and the mission. Soon after, a family in Texas needed help building a home for their large family. Inspired to serve full-time, Della and Merlyn rented out their home in Watertown, SD, packed up their two cats, and hit the road in an old, temperamental truck pulling a small fifth-wheel camper.

Their faith was tested on winding mountain roads when the truck frequently overheated. With humor and humility, they added a bumper sticker to the camper that read:

“Please be patient, I’m pushing a Ford.”

But over the years, that truck took them to countless BFC project sites. Eventually, a generous church member—so impressed with their dedication—offered them the deal of a lifetime on a newer truck. Once again, God provided.

Camp Shiloh: Work, Fellowship, and Transformation

One of their most memorable projects was at Camp Shiloh in Pittsburgh, Texas, a long-term restoration effort. Della recalls pulling into camp, parking their trailer, and waking up the next morning with no idea what to do. It wasn’t until noon that they mustered the courage to knock on the camp director’s door and introduce themselves.

That moment was the beginning of years of fulfilling service. They would return to Camp Shiloh many times, staying for as long as five months at a time. Each day began with a morning devotion, followed by hands-on work transforming the run-down camp into a vibrant Christian retreat. Cabins were remodeled, the kitchen overhauled, trees planted, and swimming docks added—all fueled by the joy of serving Christ and the camaraderie of like-minded volunteers.

Evenings were filled with games, laughter, and stories around the fire. A strong bond grew not just among the volunteers but also with members of the local WELS church, who greeted them with warm hugs and open hearts. For Della, this community felt like home: “I felt loved and accepted.”

Breaking Barriers

In the early days of BFC, Della recalls that women weren’t typically allowed to do “men’s work.” That changed when a determined woman named Verna arrived wearing a hard hat and wielding a hammer. She declared she wasn't going to sit around doing nothing—and got straight to work. From then on, women were welcomed as equal contributors on every job site.

The Unexpected Moments

BFC life came with its surprises, too. Della remembers one moment vividly: while walking to the mailbox, she was surprised by a German Shepherd who bit her backside. Fortunately, it only tore her pocket. The apologetic farmer offered her a shot of Jim Beam in return.

A Decade of Service and a Lifetime of Memories

After nearly 10 years of full-time volunteering, Della and Merlyn took on one final project—helping with a large church addition in Charlotte, North Carolina. By that time, Merlyn’s health made it difficult to continue. It was time for their final “See you down the road.”

Looking back, Della says those ten years were the best years of their married life. Their days were filled with purpose, friendship, adventure, and faith. The memories continue to bring light to her life, and she looks forward to reuniting with her beloved BFC friends “down the road”—in heaven.

Though Della is no longer physically able to volunteer, her heart for the mission continues. Today, she is a faithful and generous donor to Kingdom Workers, giving so that others can experience the same joy and purpose she found on the Builders for Christ trail.

Inspired to Serve?

Della and Merlyn’s story is just one of many lives transformed through Builders for Christ. Whether you're skilled with tools or simply have a willing heart, there’s a place for you in this ministry.

Serve. Build. Grow in faith. Find your place with Builders for Christ.

Learn more & get involved

Story captured by Tamara Leyrer for Kingdom Workers — Builders for Christ.

If you’d like this story formatted for print, email info@kingdomworkers.com.