Zaiegraevo Team Project

Jami and Martina, making forms for the cement foundation

     There are different kinds of teams.  Our team here is more like a track team.  We all are working for similar big goal, but often have different focuses and ministries.  However, once a year, our team plans a project where we can function more like a basketball team.  It's a special way to see something completed and to grow in our bonds with one another.  This year our project was in Inka's town of Zaigraevo.  We built a foundation for a woodshop.  (The building is already built, but needs to be moved)  Valera will use this as a place to work side by side with other men and pour into them in important ways.  Some of these men will likely be guys who can't get jobs elsewhere because of a past record.  Valera can show them hope and the love of our Lord.  We were excited to be behind this project as a support to him and his family and these future guys.

Everyone had their own jobs and it was fun to work side by side.

     Inka fed all of us, but she and Anneka took a 20 minute break one day to put purple strips in their hair.  =)

     The food was wonderful!  It was special to have Daniela's parents and nephew with us, Andrew Kerin, and Leif's mom, Irene.  Irene helped in the kitchen and with the kids. 

     Sometimes we needed to drive heavy cement bags to the site.  Ike liked helping with the driving.

A fun picture of Christian (Daniela's Dad)

Lining up everything before putting in the forms

Setting up the wooden forms

     It was such a joy to have Andrew here with us!  He was (is!) a hard worker and had such a cheerful attitude the whole time.  Not only did our kids love to be with him, but some youth from the village hung around and helped as we worked.  Andrew was able to connect with them in a special way.  I also love how Andrew each night asked if we could sing praise songs... and we did!  Here, he was shoveling dirt to mix in with the cement and water.

Sara and I were the "water girls"

Pouring the cement into the forms

      I'll be neat to see how God uses this wood shop for His glory.  It was fun to be a part of it's start in this way and to do it together with our beloved team.