The Work Begins...
May 28, 2009 5pm
By: KJ Olson
After a good night's sleep in the cool crisp air of northern Slovakia, we gathered for breakfast at 7:30am in the Dormitory. Andrea, Matt and Red are staying in the Britan Penzi'on just down the street, so they miss out on the Builders Group gathering each morning. We met Katka Valco'va at 8am for our 'instructions' for the day and to meet Roman, our project contractor. Two jobs were tackled today:
1) Scrape off and away the plaster that is loose from the walls of the apartment. Joann and KJ worked on that job. There were a number of spots with 'loose plaster' and beyond, right down to the clay block! Several spots on the walls near the floor have had an inch or more of plaster or 'soft cement' removed. We've asked to have the plaster or 'mud' as we call it delivered tomorrow. Joann and KJ suggested that since all the furniture is removed from the apartment that now would be a good time to paint the walls. We've suggested this to the contracter and to Katka V, so we're hoping we can add this project to the list. It would certainly freshen up the space emmensely.
2) Dig a 3' ft deep trench next to the parsonage where the downspouts have been depositing water and then leaking into the cracks in the sidewalk, and also a trench leading away from the parsonage out about 25 ft. The plan is to lay tile in the trench to then move the water away from the parsonage walls. I'm not sure the plan has been completed, but we'll see what transpires in the next day or so. Digging this trench was down there with 'hard labor', as alot of the fill used was riddled with ROCKS and STONES! Pick axes, shovels, a hammer drill (used like a mini-jackhammer) and crow bars were the tools of choice! Just know that many of the guys will be having a before-bedtime-course of Advil!
Picture: Dismantling the parsonage steps prior to digging the trench.
Picture below: Digging the trencch in today´s rain.
Picture below: Tomas´, Dave Lorenz and Joe Lunders strategizing
The other job is to install 6 new windows, but the windows are not delivered yet.... hopefully they will arrive next Monday! "It's on the truck" is a phrase heard often in Slovakia and one we have become accustomed to hearing, but not always accepting it.
After a hot shower after work, which was not the case this morning with 'luke warm' water, and a delicious meal at the Britan we enjoyed a glass of after dinner liquor compliments of the President of Z'lina University. Andrea and Michal V. spent the day with the President, Dean and Vice Dean of Z'lina University, about the ideas about sharing ciriculum with Globe University. Andrea said this evening that Michal was very encouraged by the response from the Z'lina University folks. More info on this meeting in the future BLOGS. Red and Matt spent the day getting film footage of the University, the BIble School, the Elementary School, and of the town of Martin. It'll be interesting to see the fruits of their 'filming labor'. Red tried to work a pick axe this afternoon, but Joe decided Red should stick with 'producing flim' and not 'producing a dirty shirt'.
All in all it was a good day. We are all safe and have no injuries. Please continue to pray for the Builders Group as we do God's work here in Martin. TO GOD BE THE GLORY!
