No April Fools here in Martin today…. just a group of crazy Americans who love to share their gifts and talents with others, and this week those ‘others’ are our Slovak brothers and sisters. Today was an AMAZING day with the 2 projects from yesterday and two new projects started today.

Power-washing the cement fence base was completed but not before a minor set back of a blown extension cord and circuit breaker. Bob and Rich finished up right before lunch. Now to let the cement dry for a day before attempting to patch the cracks and holes, some holes as deep as 6 inches, thus multiple layers of cement will be needed over the next several days.

With the Kindergarten rooms put back together, Vicky, Tana, Jim, Kathy, Linda and Mary tackled the Elementary School window glazing and painting. Janko and Jaro (CCE Custodians) came with 6 windows to start with and before mid-morning break those 6 windows were finished… much to Jaro’s surprise. By the end of the day, these six Builders had cleaned, scraped, glazing and painted about 40 windows! They aren’t quite done, but what an INCREDIBLE accomplishment!! This will make for warmer classrooms and cheaper heating bills!

The office painting got off to a fast start this morning by completing the taping around doors and windows and removing the furniture from the last office!! YAHOO!!! Tomáš and Adrián completed their office cleaning!! Now the office staff has their desks amongst a cacophony of boxes and empty shelving units and disassembled office furniture in the Great Hall of the Bible School building. The painting of the first coat in 3 of the 5 rooms was completed today! David, Dave, Don, Marge, Steve, Rich and Julie made OUTSTANDING progress on this very large project.

The most challenging of the new projects is re-staining/varnishing the soffits of the dormitory. Steve and KJ spent part of the morning working out the logistics of how best to attack this project. Fortunately there was a VERY NICE SCAFFOLD to use, and the soffits didn’t have much to scrap. Bob and KJ worked together sequestered together on the scaffold most of the afternoon (how romantic for the newlyweds!) with a little help from Steve. Almost 3/4 of one side is completed! Seems Bob and KJ really CAN WORK WELL together!!

It was a gorgeous weather day to be working outside. The veteran Builders are very happy with the cool but sunny weather …. mid 60’s is just about perfect ‘Builders Weather’. Who said is was ‘too cold to go to Slovakia in March!’

Tomorrow will be a short workday as we head to Žilina (25 km to the north) for the late afternoon/evening of shopping and sightseeing and perhaps early dinner.

The Holy Spirit has once again put the right people on this team. We work well together, and enjoy learning about each other’s lives. The preparedness and responsiveness of the CCE Staff to our requests, needs and questions has been THE BEST EVER. Slávka, Jaro, and Janko have been amazingly patient, kind and professional. No wonder the Team is getting so much work done!!! All to the GLORY of GOD!!

P.S. Hello to all former Builders from L’uboš, Katka, Tereska, and Tomáš Frolova, and from Eva Janotová.

KJ Bach