| | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Everything was careflully measured and the chalk lines drawn to begin the excavation of the footings
|
What looks like a child's drawing or alien artwork is actually the beginning of a new adventure and months of work ahead
|
We realized very quickly that this machine was not going to enter through our doorway
|
He had to dig his way in creating enough space to enter
|
It would normally be all done by hand but to move ahead quickly before the coming rainy season, we chose to rent the backhoe for a few hours
|
| | | | |
| | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
As I sat and watched the backhoe I realized that I was not alone. Our dog Jonah laid down at my feet and watched the excavation of the yard.
|
The work progressed quickly. This would "rough" it in. Then the men would have to clean up the lines and dig to the exact measurements.
|
All hands to the work! It was time for them to clean it all up and be ready for re-bar and cement
|
After Sunday services our members met outside to pray for the building program. They asked God to bless those who help them have a church they couldn't have otherwise.
|
The first cement is ready to be poured! This will be the bases for the columns
|
| | | | |
| | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
They load the wheelbarrows ("boogies")with cement and pour it in the footing
|
|
Helping to make a clean path for the wheelbarrows
|
They create make-shift bridges of narrow boards then walk across them with their cargo of cement
|
Spreading it out by shovel to insure a level surface.
|
| | | | |
| | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The brick arrive. We had to buy them early before prices go up nearer to the rainy season.
|
All the steel work is done by hand. They bend it into shape to make the grids and columns. They were so happy that I bought a re-bar cutter so they would not have to cut it all with a hack saw.
|
This young man is using a frame made especially to bend the square pieces needed to hold the columns together
|
They assemble the columns on the ground
|
|
| | | | |
| | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The small columns go up first
|
The foot of each column is tied to a wire grid below which will be covered with cement
|
50 cm of cement is used to hold each column in place
|
Now the BIG columns
|
It took all of us pushing & pulling to get the 3 big columns upright
|
| | | | |
| | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"A little more to the right"
|
ALL the columns are in place!
|
More cement to secure the columns and fill the footings
|
| | | | |
| | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Steel is put in place for the base of the outside walls
|
A look from ground level. Needs a little tweeking
|
2 cement mixers, 16 men, & 4 wheel barrows start the day. Today we are pouring the cement & re-bar footings which will give strength to the structure
|
Fredy stayed busy loading one of the mixers with gravel and sand
|
Wheelbarrows are filled with cement then wheeled in...
|
| | | | |
| | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
... where they fill the wooden forms
|
|
6 hours of hard work later, the footings are filled
|
What timing God has! As we begin construction on the building, the government starts turning the old rough mud hole in front of our property into a nice firm street
|
This is something they have promised for several years. Ain't it just a "coincidence" that they start now?
|
| | | | |
| | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
They even helped by leaving a path for the workers to continue without interruption. Ain't God good?!
|
This is going to make it very nice for everyone coming to the church. Can't wait until it is finished!
|
Putting together the forms for the (translated) "over-cement". The bricks will be laid on top of this layer of concrete
|
|
Filling forms the hard way
|
| | | | |
| | | | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The next day the concrete is dry and the forms are removed. This will be the future entrance hall to the sanctuary!
|
Laying the FIRST BRICK!!! After 6 weeks of putting concrete and steel in the ground it is great to see something above ground!
|
|
It is all starting to take shape
|
|
| | | | |
1
