Monday Aug 9

Monday our first full day of work and guess what, it rained.  It rained 50% of the day.  Misted 25% do the day.  Was cold and damp all the day.  In spite of this reality we got a lot done today.  We divided into three teams.  Brice, Dave, Dean, Brianna, Kim and Dean were working on putting sheets of wood siding on the buildings.  They worked right thru the rain and got the church 60% sided.  They had to switch to working on the church because the wind picked up and made siding the peaks of the small house 18’ in the air too difficult.  The church is 40’ x 60’ so getting 60% done was a big  job well done.

Tony, John B, and John H, worked on hanging drywall sheets in the small house.  They got this ¾ finished.  Though they had the luxury of being out of the rain, they had some heavy lifting getting all that drywall hung.

The rest of the crew were under the dynamic leadership of Master Electrician and Master Coordinator Jeff Disher.  Jeff really showed his organizational and multitasking skills directing wiring in the Church.  The meter base and mast got mounted.  A good portion of the remaining wiring runs were run, and data cable runs and boxes were put up.

In spite of the weather we are making good progress on the buildings.

The weather has also made it difficult to see let alone interact with many of the people here in Marshall.  Most of them are hurrying by to get out of the rain as soon as possible, or just staying inside.  We have met a few people including one woman named Theresa.  We have invited her over tomorrow night and offered to take pictures of her and her children.  We hope she will show others her picture and  tell them about and open house for picture taking we are hosting Wednesday evening.  We are also hoping to play some table games with any children who show up.

We would ask for your prayers in a couple of areas.  First that people would show up for the outreach events we are trying, and that we can express joy and encouragement that makes them curious why we are here.  Second that the weather would improve.  They are having a much wetter summer than usual.  A little sunshine would be great.  Please continue to pray for safety and good health for the crew.  Things have gone really well in spite of the cool damp weather and the busy pace of work.