Hi friends,
It is always a joy to write a blog and recount how good God has been to us. However this is a sepcial privilege. After a fortnight working on the Black Sea Camp block we have made our tearful fairwells knowing that we were able to achieve much more work than expected and that the folks were really pleased by what was accomplished in God's strength. Here is the team (with the cross on the hill in the background)...
- All stud walls and cross members were completed (8 bedrooms, 8 bathrooms/ storerooms). with the exception of access panels and areas of the toolroom which is still being utilised.
- All of the walls are now complete in plasterboard and wiring.
- All of the ceilings are now complete in plasterboard with apart from some small bathroom areas.
- Mo,Liz and Dad have done the bulk of the filling and plaster preparation.
Although there is plenty to keep the team busy here (Igor, Vitali and "Genja") , we have undoubtedly been able to take a huge stride forward to completion on a stalled project. Plastering and tiling can now be done as time and funds allow.
This has been a superb team to work with... great humour, strong banter, brilliant fellowship each morning, and some great moments I will not forget.
Here are my top 6.
- The time Dennis has broken into appropriate song. I think my favourite was his rendition (through mask and wearing gloves as we put up the rockwool)... to the tune of "you are my inspiration" - he sang full pelt ... "YOU ARE MY INSULATION!"
- The time BIG VIKTOR turned up with more ice creams than we could count, at last count most of us had 2 some had 3 (between morning cakes and lunch).
- After Ken had played football with his young friends, the many times they kept turning up with a ball asking "Is KEN coming out to play today ?". Of course I replied "no Daddy says he needs to stay inside and do some work!" (We thought this had a higher probability of survival.)
- The Cavalry arriving. We started with a team of 3, grew to cross-national cooperation of 8 then ended up with a working party of 15.
- Mo's plaster mixing has a recipe handed down through generation to generation. By far the best mix of the fortnight, it had a special something extra (which was superb in corners and veiling gaps). Someone has said that next trip she has a sponsorship deal with "kenwood chef".
- The time one of our Ukranian non church friends asked why would we come 3000 miles to do such a job when we could be realxing at home (awesome opportunity that Dennis and Dad grasped with both hands).
Along with awesome food (great cooking Svetta and Katya) the air conditioned taxi service for the less young (thank you Big Viktor), and the very helpful translation (nearly as big Viktor you did an awesome job as usual) we have many things to be grateful for.
Last night was awesome, getting time with our young friends at church. We were able to leave a few goodies and 5 large suitcases were emptied onto the sofa. I got wooped at table football (because I had to use the red team and they were allowed to use the blue). My fine art collection for my study increased with another Paulina masterpiece of an Autumn scene. By far the outstanding contibution of the night was the presentation the young people gave. They sang two stunning songs and interwove readings and recitations all centred on the glory and beauty of Jesus Christ. It is difficult to describe the depth of emotion in our response. We are blessed people.
Today has been a vintage day of rest before the busy celebrations and day of thanksgiving tomorrow. We started with a celebratory breakfast, and were joined by several special guests. Firstly by our wonderful friend Pastor Igor Bandura, and then by our wonderful friend Luba Orlova on her wedding day complete with bridesmaids and most importantly bridegroom. With 4 pastors in the room, we avoided the temptation to do the ceremony prematurely and offerred words of encouragement and got to pray with the happy couple on their joyfilled day.
This is a prayer truly answered for this house. The first "graduate" who has grown up, fled the nest and married a good man to raise a family of her own. God is good.
Today has been an awesome weather day, and some sightseeing with our wonderful tour guide Viktor. Three further special treats...
1) A children's ballet performance of Alice in Wonderland at the opera house.
2) Peter's special marinaded BBQ tea.
3) Alex's special strawberry cheescake.
We will be in touch, as we celebrate even more wonderful things tomorrow,
and more photos when bandwidth enables to upload,
Much love,
BLOGSKI
