Construction on Hold

 We are not currently doing any building because of finances. Please continue to pray that we can sell our car. Thank you!

Passing of a Spiritual Mentor

 A dear friend and spiritual father moved on this week.

Going back to 1988, I was unemployed and struggling in my walk with the Lord. An old basketball friend had moved to South Carolina and had a good paying job in a factory making auto parts (rubber molding). I went down but only survived the job a couple weeks as it made me sick. I looked for another job and found one in Charlotte, N.C., with a computer service company. It was a great job. During that time, I attended Garr Memorial church and a couple men there, took me under their wings. One was Bob (and Mary) and the other was Hugh (and Virginia). They gave me a good bible foundation and got me involved in children's and youth ministry. Eventually that led to me going to the ship MV Doulos for 2 years. That is also why I have continued in missions ever since. I owe them so much.

 Bob passed away many years ago. Hugh just this week. He was the perfect example of a meek and humble man of God who always served others. He saw the best in me when he could easily have seen my weaknesses and failures instead.

Hugh Weiss

 

I encourage you to invest your own life in a young man like me, who may not be the most gifted or strongest, but who wants to love and serve God as best he can. And, by Gods' grace his life will find meaning and bear fruit.

Car Troubles & Upgrades

 We have been unable to sell our Toyota, so I have been doing some upgrades to make it more attractive. It took about a week to put in a new stereo. We need to sell it soon.

I lost my keys to my replacement car, an old BMW. The keys were lost somewhere at home. I have searched and searched and finally gave up. New keys will come in about a month and not cheaply.

Animals

We have a pug (Bobby), which was given to us a few years ago. We just got a baby girl in hopes that in a year, we can sell puppies as income.

Bobby

Lucky

 

Our chickens are getting low and we got our incubator back from a friend, so I am hatching again:

Drain Finished, Slab Finished

 Finally completed the main drain area.

The last poured slab is very rough. I did the cement mixing while my sons smoothed. By the time I got to smoothing, it was too dry. So, it is very messy. I probably will need to sand it down.

 

I Have been slow moving of late. My left hand is still swollen, esp when I wake up. I made the covers for the ditch, need to get to the rest of the ditch in front of the new slab.

Truck Delivery

 We ordered a truckload of sand and gravel and so, we will start mixing our own cement for the work form this point. It will be more work but save some money and without experiencing problems with sometimes ordering the wrong amount of cement.

Rebar ready!

Sealing Pipes at Roof

 Not much done today... Sealed the pipes with cement at the top. Then, took down 2 levels of scaffold and cleaned up some of the tools/work mess. Finished some missing tile and sealed some cracks.

Yesterday was car repairs... disassembly of the door to fix the electric window motors. But after putting everything back together the door lock is jammed. I will try again. 

Drain Pour Falls Short

 Not sure how much cement to order and of course it was not enough... but anyway got most of it in today. We will finish it off with any cement left over from the next job. We ran out of our rock stockpile so we also couldn't mix our own!

Ready to Pour Drain

I am ready to pour cement in the drain area. I am not totally happy with the setup. I changed it several times along the way and I ended up using cement pipe and only having three openings.

Here is the next area to cement, where there used to be grass before we added the awning. It will be thin and I will need to put in some steel.

We got blessed last week as I came across some discount sale at the hardware store. I got the umbrella for 150B or US 5 dollars. I got the electric lawnmower for about US 30 dollars. The umbrella has helped so much with working before the sun gets behind the building.

 

Toll on the Body

 I am having a lot of swelling in my fingers, especially at night and in the morning. It isn't painful but it is uncomfortable. I may need to take a break from digging after the ditch is finished.

Ditch Construction

We got a surprise rain this week for 2 days. I did a little prep work for the roof addition (cut the steel). The rain helped soften the dirt for my digging which was great! I am not really sure how to construct the ditch. I will try my idea and see how it goes!

Inspirational song from Keith Green.. to encourage ... give glory to God.

Slab #3 Finished

This one really was super tough... The cement company gave us a bad mix and not enough cement. So, my boys helped me mix up some cement to add. There was so many problems trying to level it. Near the end I just had nothing left. I did not get the edges smooth... just couldn't do it. Around 12 midnight I quit and accepted the results. I was so tired that I could barely walk. After cleaning all the tools, I collapsed on the hammock and enjoyed a Christian movie and a good moment with the Lord... my strength.

Next up will be the roof addition at the corner of the building where it always leaks into the ceiling below.

Slab 3 and Repairs

It has been a busy past week. Slab #3 has been a real pain doing prep work. It took me several days to dig it out. I am finally almost there as today Joey helped me ground-pound it.

Several days ago another breaker went in my main power box for the building. I tried replacing it but couldn't get it out. Finally, I decided to remove the whole box, replace some bad and old breakers, and then hook everything back up.

I also did some much-needed painting of the outside of the finished areas using some old light purple paint we had laying around. I also painted the steel on the roof to the lower area. 

My goal is to try and finish anything that is weather dependent first as rainy season will be coming.

Slab #2 Finished

 All I can say is "Thank you Lord for the strength!". I was so tired at the end of this when I was doing the final smoothing... legs were failing (balancing on two steel beams). 

I used to be a perfectionist. In 6th grade I made an intricate kite of bended bamboo, a butterfly. It was an expensive project and also took a lot of hours to put together. But, when I tried to fly it, it was unbalanced. I got angry and burned it! 

In my recent years I have been overcome by disappointment and hardship and had trouble finishing anything. This new season I am relying on God and not myself because I know my weak legs, my weak heart. Lord, help me finish the task you have called me to!

Today is my 58th birthday. I am thankful in the midst of the pandemic and the economic disaster, thankful for life and Gods' provision! He is worthy to be praised!

Slab #2 Ready to Pour!

Yesterday I drilled holes in the new steel frame (the correct thickness) and moved it over.  After lots of digging and rearranging the pipes, rebar is finally tied and foundation is ready to pour. I made it! 

Pipe Problems

When I tried to remove the cement frame on slab #1, it was stuck. The drain pipes were bumping it so that I couldn't slide it off the rebar. I had to dig the pipe up and cut off some of the rebar. After that I had to lower the other pipe and remove a lot of dirt and rock. I am getting there! Tonight or tomorrow I should be finished digging and leveling.

Prayer Request

 When you think of us, I appeal to you to pray for us. I, personally need Gods' heart and strength to finish the tasks he has given to me, to fulfill my part in giving out the good news of salvation. Thank you!!!

Completing the Task God Gives Us - Decision Magazine

First Slab Finished!

 Made it! I got the first slab poured. We did not mix the cement ourselves this time. The cost was about US $125 and $30 for the rebar, $7 for tying wire... total cost about $162. This was my first time to do everything. It turned out well. Next I will do the slab in the center where the drain pipes run.

Joey and Giffy helped me repaint the front of the building where are classrooms are. It looks so much better.

Rebar Supports almost finished for #1 slab

 Almost ready to pour! Yesterday Joey helped me compact it. 🙏

🙏

Bobby the pug says Hi!

Surface Prep

I started to put together the forms for the first slab and found out I had a lot more digging to do. I am finally finished with the leveling. I had a break mid-day when the water pipe broke and I was greeted with fire ants up my leg trying to escape the flood. Next up is the rebar grid for support.

I realized today that since I started this physical work I have gotten a lot stronger and healthier. At first I was taking afternoon naps because my body was wrecked. But now I am working throughout the day and even exercising in the evenings. Thank you Lord!!

In the midst of digging, this creature showed up, sitting on a pebble. He doesn't look happy.

Cement Forms

Today I did more digging of the ditches and a lot of sitting and looking, trying to figure out what to do. Tonight I dragged out the old cement forms and pressure washed them and hammered off some cement. And in the picture I am welding on pipes for using to rebar them into the ground.

Some of this stuff I just don't know how to do so I do my best and look for help on the internet.

BE STRONG AND COURAGEOUS!

Drainage Ditch

Most of the leveling is done. Now I am digging out the drainage ditch and making the rebar with my homemade (not great) bender. I hope I can make covers that will support a car driving over. I am working at night because it is cooler and so I have more energy.

Oops

 I was cutting down 2 trees yesterday and had an accident. I cut a large limb and was trying to push it as it so it would not hit some plants nearby. I was successful but forgot about my foot. The cut end wacked me right across the toe joints on my right foot. I gave out a "yelp" and Joey came out to see what happened. I was just dancing up and down the driveway for about 5 minutes and humming a tune. Fortunately I think nothing was broken. That following morning I had to drive Mary to the hospital 3 hours away to get the stitches in her eyes from her surgery removed. We left at 3am and driving was painful. I removed my shoe but it didn't help much. We are back home now at 10pm and I am feeling much better. Where was Jesus? I think he was watching and shaking his head and maybe even laughing at my stupidity! This is part of our life as faulty beings. I bet I never do it again! 

Psalm 37:23-24

The Lord makes firm the steps

of the one who delights in him;

though he may stumble, he will not fall,

for the Lord upholds him with his hand.

Jack Hammer Fun

 It is taking a long time to get through the piles of dirt and rock to dig down and level-out the front area in preparation for laying down the cement slab. The tool which I am so thankful to have is the electric jack hammer. We bought this tool when we first started working on the place years ago. Today was a challenging day but got the pipes at the right slope and buried them.

Rainpipes are in!

First started by removing the plants we wanted to keep. Next we saved the good soil. Finally dug trenches for the pipes which bring water down from the roof (12 meters) and cut and glued the pipes. 

Next step is to finishing leveling the front area, pack it down.