What a glorious day for building a church!!!! The sunrise was awesome - the sun was warm (Oh it was cold though this morning - 19 degrees!!)--- there was NO wind (yesterday it was blowing something fierce!!). And so began the process of placing the cement walls.
I didn't arrive early enough to see them put the first walls up ...... things were progressing well. Gary had worked on the footings and had also offered to help with the welding. So he was busy at it....
This is what he was welding --- floor plate to wall plate....
and then up in the top also. Ron Patton was also welding....
The men (Hutterites from north of Platte, SD) were good at their job ---all working smoothly together. We couldn't always understand what they were yelling.....they speak both German and English.
They put lots of braces in to hold the walls in place.
Styrofoam strips were placed along the wall on the footing.....and later grout was poured in ---- to seal the bottom.
You can count the pieces.....4 sides and 4 ends....Corners were placed first and then the 2 middle pieces. Gary welded way into the late afternoon - in fact it was getting dark before he quit. There were breaks as he waited for a new section to be put in. And, of course, there was GOOD food. Becky Patton, Lori Lesse and Sheila Stephens put on a fabulous noon meal and then for supper - one or two Native Ladies helped by making Indian Tacos.
I believe the day ended with the other corner wall pieces in place......... Oh -- and then what a glorious sunset!!!
This morning - I went to see what was going on at about 10:00. Quite the change....
...It's looking more and more like a church!!
Colton and Brennan got to help by putting some rubber strips into the cracks where the walls met.....to seal them..... These would be placed on the inside also - but Colton said "they told us not to do that right now".
This is not the final section -- but the last section I stayed for. The next picture is of the pillars that will be in front of the entrance.
Getting that piece straight and level in all directions took a little doing.....but finally it was welded down.
What an interesting couple of days. Strange though ---- there were no Native people standing around watching. A few cars went past --- but no little kids after school let out. Perhaps they were told to stay out of the way. I often did feel like they might yell at me to "watch out lady"....... There was so much going on all the time. Men working in many different areas all at the same time.......
A lot of work remains ---- they will be placing the roof trusses also.......lots of dirt to be filled in around the whole building. But what joy ..... so apparent on the faces of those who minister here in St. Francis. I know Gary was so glad to be able to use his talents for them -- and for God.
Gary and Barb
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