The Beginning of the Second Floor

Chris has asked for a meeting before we start so he can discuss what will be going on during the day. I have closed each meeting with prayer and his crew has joined in. We can feel GOD working through us to touch each man. Today we started by putting the 2 side walls in the sanctuary together. and putting in 2nd floor floor joist.

The walls in the sanctuary are tall and take several men and one GOD to stand them. After lunch some of the guys started decking the 2nd floor. Take a look at that sky.  We thought our afternoon break was arriving.  But as usual we guessed about what GOD was up to and he showed us it was not time to quit yet.  It amazes me that until we arrived 1 and 1/2 weeks ago this was a muddy place. Since then GOD has send most of the rain around us and allowed us to work just as we have prayed for. Several of the guys have moved the stud beams to the rear so we can put the back wall together tomorrow.  Looks like Ronnie and Eddie to me. Tools do break down and as usual it takes two  men to repair it - 1 to hold and 1 to operate on the tool.

I know GOD is on this site.  He has made awesome progress.  At the end of today He had the 2nd floor decked and ready to start building 2nd floor walls tomorrow. He also has the 2 rear side walls up and secure along with most of the rear wall laid out.

Then without a dought he was beside me this morning. I was using an air gun to install window headers when I allowed gun to bump the edge of the timber and shoot a 2nd time. I felt the nail hit the side of my hand and I laid  the gun down and reached to pull the nail out.  That is when I knew GOD was with me cause the nail was not there.  It did puncture the skin and the area is sore but there was no hospital visit as I was expecting.  Continue to pray that GOD will stay around me and all the others and keep us safe.

And yes I will try to be more careful because  I believe that was His message to me today.

The Walls Go Up

It's Monday morning and the team is ready to start. First wall ready to stand  -  UH OH camera battery dead. Tying walls together. The outside walls of the front lower half are up so sheeting starts. Floor joist for 2nd floor arrive. Interior walls are up and being secured.                                  Sheeting is installed on the lower floor of the front half of building. Chris's crew left at 4 so we called it quits also. What a great day. GOD has kept us safe, helped us learn and made an impression on many a person. It all results from listening to GOD and working in His time.

Tomorrow's plan is to stand back walls and start on 2nd floor. Remember us in your prayers.

Maybe I will work tomorrow instead of taking pictures. After we had quit work and finished eating supper Eddie noticed he had a splinter in his arm.  In a matter of moments surgeon Rex assisted by nurse Pace sprung into action and 30 minutes later Eddie was recovering from the removal of a 2 inch splinter and placement of a band aid.

Sunday

We had a new team to arrive on Friday night.  From Cool Springs Baptist in Sanford, NC: Terry Lineberry, Mark Revels, Ann Revels, Duane McCartney, David Ward, Steve Bristow & Bill Nunnery.  From Momeyer Baptist  in Momeyer (Nashville, NC) : Eddie Finch & Ronnie Pace.

After Sunday school & worship we were fed lunch by the church.  Afterwards the team had enjoyed site seeing so much yesterday that they went again today.  However by being gone they missed a great singing by Russ Murphy.

The congregation of First Baptist is on fire. GOD is without any doubt at work here.  They are so grateful for the volunteers that have been here and look forward to the ones to come to help them fulfill GOD's plan in Bayfield. 

Pray for us to have safe working conditions and most of all that we don't forget why we are here - TO SHARE GOD's LOVE AND MINISTER TO HIS CHILDREN .  There will be several contract workers on the site this week and I pray they will see GOD through us and receive him as their savior.

Saturday

The volunteer team went out sightseeing today. First Baptist hired three  framers to help us get the walls up and off to a good start so Rex & I stayed back and helped them today. We have the walls laid out, holes drilled, corners built and headers cut. Monday morning we will put walls together and start standing them up.

The guys that have been working on excavation, concrete and framing all seam to be good guys but lack the faith we have in GOD.  Pray for us to make an impact on them that will help change their life and beliefs.

Got Concrete!

Today is starting early. Carey's Taxi service to NC left at 6:15.

Comment from Ann-“They’re looking kind of rough. I think Billy must have worked them too hard.” The concrete crew arrived at 6:00 to double check and set up equipment. Pouring of the floor slab started around 6:20. The last cement was poured at 9:00. The rest of the day will be putting the finish on the floor as it starts drying, along with the new team arrival this evening.

Another Beautiful Day

The guys put the roof decking on the shed this morning. Progress on foundation looking good. I spoke too soon. The packer is broke down. However a replacement in on order. JD , Rex & Billy put rubber on roof of shed. 

Picture of team less Randy, somebody had to cook supper.               

Rex, Carey, Billy, Billy, Garlin, JD

Wednesday

We are located only 4 blocks from downtown and we still get visited by the deer. We spotted them today in the meadow across the street. Billy Roy is cutting rafters for the shed under the supervision of JD & Carey. The compaction fill is 80 % complete and the concrete prep will be done on Thursday. If the Lord is willing concrete trucks arrive Friday morning @ 6 a.m. and timber that afternoon. Therefore we should be able to lay out wall locations on  Saturday and start framing Monday morning. Rex, Billy, Carey & Garlin built rafters for the shed and installed them today.

At the church,s Wednesday night service everyone circled around and prayed for us and the construction of the building.  I reminded them that GOD is in charge of the building process and we are here to be his hands and share his love. Therefore, when they come by at later dates remember to praise GOD for the building and all he does. I also request they do as I request of each of you -  WHEN GOD CALLS RESPOND THEN, don't wait cause all things need to be done in GOD's time not human time.

Pray for the team leaving Friday morning and driving home. Also pray for the team that is flying to Bayfield

Beautiful Lake Vallecito

  Last night we road out to the lake and viewed the snow covered mountains.  The excavation crew is working today so we are doing other things. JD pulled the short straw and cut grass.  The others worked on rebuilding the shed. After the plumbing passed inspection we helped with backfill. Pray that the rest of the backfill and compaction will be completed tomorrow.

First day of work

After waking up this morning I was doing my quiet time when I noticed 2 deer about 40 yards from the camper. Later in the day the rest of the herd came around. Billy Ray, JD & Lois set up more bunks today. Most of the day Carey, Garlin & I drained and pumped off water  from the foundation.  Then we helped Doug finish rough plumbing and backfilling the pipes.

Shortly after lunch it rained again so we went inside and install a drape around ladies sleeping area. Afterwards they demolished a shed that had collapsed.  A  wood shed will be built tomorrow while anotherl crew works on foundation.

Billy goes to Bayfield

Thursday morning at 6:30 I kissed Billy goodbye as he headed out on his trip to Bayfield, CO.  He will be gone until the end of July.  I think he’s going miss me and I know I’ll miss him.

I will attempt to blog his adventures back here at home as long as he does his part and sends me pictures so the rest of this post is from Billy.

I left home on Thur. morning and met up with 5 other men ( J D Clapp, Carey Fleming, Billy Royal, Garlin Patrick, Randy Thomas) in Mocksville.

JD taking his turn in the back seat.

We drove through the night (36 hours) and arrived in South Fork at what is called the barn. This barn belongs to a man who visits here about 1 time a month. He stays in the main house and lets family and others stay in the barn which to me is better than most motels. After breakfast and devotions on Sat morning we headed for Bayfield.

I thought I had been in hills before but today we crossed Wolf Pass. Around 10,000 feet up and some of GOD's best views.

We stopped along the way down the mountain and viewed the road below where we were headed. We arrived in Bayfield, Co about 10:30 Saturday morning and began set up of bunks, unloaded gear and food. I set up our camper and started running temporary sewer lines. The shower / laundry unit arrived from TX. around 11:30. After lunch we continued with unpacking and set up. Garlin and Carey built me some steps and a hitch support due to the height of my camper. The others went to Wal-Mart to buy food and boots. By mid afternoon the rain had set in and we called it a day. .

We woke up to rain on Sunday. After breakfast and cleaning up we went upstairs to Sunday school and then church.  Three people had told us the crowd would be off due to people gone for Memorial Day, However we saw a sanctuary 80% full and when we asked the Pastor he said yes attendance was down today. This tells me that the new larger sanctuary is needed. It has rained off and on all morning and after lunch hail fell for about 30 minutes. Now the sun has come out and it is warming up.

Rex and Lois arrived from Texas.

JD having some fun at the ranch.