Team Project in Zaigraevo

A few months back, we as a team decided to do a project together this summer. We are often busy throughout the city, but it is a rare event that brings us all together. We wanted to do something that would be an encouragement to others as well as build up our relationships with one another. As Inka is helping to plant a church in Zaigraevo, we knew that that would be a great place to invest our time and energy and resources. The pastor of this new church thought that building a fenced-in soccer field (hockey in the winter) would be a great way to show the community that they are there to serve and to meet kids and youth in the neighborhood. There was a perfect plot of land right next to Inka's house! When we got there, we saw that the land hadn't been leveled as much as we'd hoped and there was no truck to move the big beams on location. So Leif spent hours with a shovel and wheelbarrow, shoveling and leveling the playing field. And many on the team hauled these huge beams to the field.



There are a few benefits of being pregnant, and one is not having to lift heavy things in 100 degree weather! We prayed for no rain and we got it! I helped Inka as best as I could in preparing meals for everyone. She had an amazing menu for all of us!





One of the cool things about making this soccer field is that some kids from the neighborhood came to help out! They worked with us and ate with us... hopefully these connections will continue! The first job was to dig 32 holes over 3 1/2 feet deep. Matthew Brubacher was the measuring stick to make sure the holes were deep enough:


The kids loved helping out and playing. It was good for them to get quality time together and to be OUTSIDE!




Anneka would live outside if we'd let her. She especially loved playing with Inka's dog, Emma. She also found a stray puppy and held him for a really long time... until I called her in for lunch. She sat so still with him and sang him a little song until he went to sleep on her lap. She said told me she had made up a special sleeping song for dogs. She really wants a dog. Too bad a life crammed in a small apartment is such a sad one for a dog. And a messy one!



Ella really liked being outside, too. She sat and explored the dirt, rocks and plants with little Vera for quite a while. (Vera is pastor Valeri's daughter)



After the holes were dug, they hauled rocks and filled them in the holes around the supporting beams. And then they started building the fence. It was so fun seeing everyone work together!!


Leif and Valeri, discussing details of the soccer field and how much metal fencing to purchase



Leif made a quick trip into town to get the metal fencing. This went on top of the wooden sides. The metal fenching longer than we anticipated! We had hoped to do the whole project in 2 days, but it took 3.




As you can see behind the "mud monster" (her own words for herself), we camped out in Inka's yard. Five tents crammed into a small yard and garden= lots of fun!


Anneka enjoyed making mud and burying treasures with 6-year-old Ryan.



And of course we all had bucket baths, as we were caked in dirt.



A group from the church will come and sand and paint the wood on the soccer field, but we were happy to have finished all of the building work. We could tell that Pastor Valeri was very pleased, too, and we pray that this project brings about much fruit in Zaigraevo!