Building Update: April 05 - 07, 2003

Columns Begin to Take Shape

In recent times, a lot of young people are fascinated by a joystick, usually for video games. This set of joysticks puts massive hydraulics into operation, directing the arm of the cement pourer up to 20 meters away.

Several hundred pounds of pre-mixed cement are forced to the top when they engage the machinery. Then it is pressure-fed and gravity directed, down to where the workmen direct it.

Besides filling the forms, which are 8 feet by 8 feet at the base (2.5m x 2.5m), a portable vibrator is inserted into the freshly poured concrete, in order to get it to settle down into the nooks and crannies for a tight mix.

Spring Cheers Everybody's Hearts

However out in the villages, everybody is hoping for a lot of rain to prepare the fields for the growing season. We can't be selfish and ask only for the weather we desire, when people's very lives depend on the soil. Maybe with this understanding, we should have been prepared for Sunday evening to cloud over...

Today's work is exhausting--six cement trucks come to fill in the bases of the plints, out of which the reinforced columns will soon sprout.

Surprise! Sunday, April 6 catches us unawares!

Waking up Monday morning, we could hardly believe our eyes! Our apple trees have been starting to bud. Flowers have opened in the flower beds. But look at what awaited us!

snowfrontporch.jpg (27230 bytes)

What does this mean for our construction? With about 50cm (20 inches) of snow, we're probably going to have to wait a few days. Meanwhile, we have plenty to do just to navigate around town and to the various ministries throughout our county. Thank you for your prayers!

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