These were the extra suitcases that carried the items our church members donated.
In Doug Hanson’s own words very early this morning, “We will pull out the tools we stashed in these bags this morning. Tonight we begin to sort the stuff and select what will go in the suitcases given to our three families. The rest goes to Pastor Juan for him to distribute and use as he sees fit in his ministry.”
The team is staying at the World Servants Center. Here are some photos of the center. That black tank atop the roof is the hot water heater that uses the sun’s rays to heat the water.
Hot water heater for the World Servants Center.
The day started with breakfast and coffee and getting to know a few of the locals.
Noell Grose haning out with a new friend.
Daniel Ne (left) is one of our main contacts at the World Servants Center.
Renee Gibbons, our Spanish language expert.
Emmy Seeling playing catch with a local little boy.
Ryker VanDrunen, Scott Schwake, Matt Grose and Eric Njimegni
Sandra and Ben Knee
Greg Lanzo saying hi.
Soon trucks were loaded with tools and people and even a heavy duty mechanic, then it was off to the building sites.
Sam Gebhart, Ben Knee (holding saw), Joel Boyd (in truck with hat) and Matt Grose load tools in the truck.
Shane Peterson, Joel Boyd, Ryker VanDrunen, and Chuck Miller pull a heavy generator into the truck.
Doug Hanson leaning on the truck with Noell Grose and Melissa Walters inside.
Once at the building sites, tools had to be hauled up the hill. Good progress was made on the home builds despite being short one generator. The crew that didn’t have a generator had to cut boards by hand. They were close to one of the other builds so were able to bring their charge batteries to the other generator but it was slow going.
Eric Njimegni
Melissa Walters working the hammer.
Renee Gibbons and Scott Schwake, making do with out a generator.
Kathy Miller bending rebar…yes, little Kathy is bending rebar!
Melissa Walters
As the day wore on, it got pretty hot. Sandy Lanzo was making sure everyone was drinking their water and taking frequent breaks.
Emmy and Krystal Seeling, Ben and Sandra Knee, Ryker VanDrunen, and Chuck and Kathy Miller (backs to us) taking a break in the shade of a building.
Eric Njimegni enjoying fritos with Larry Hopkins.
All in all, it was a great day for the team. Only two minor setbacks occurred. Tanner Hopkins started feeling ill on Monday evening and did not go to the build site today, but I’m told he’s feeling better and it on board for tomorrow. And Scott Schwake realized a little too late that he wasn’t hydrating enough and felt a big headache coming on. He knocked off about an hour before everyone else and spent that entire time drinking a bunch of water. By evening, he was feeling much better.
This evening the plan was to eat dinner and chill. I think they deserve it!
Great job Michelle!
Thanks Paul, but the real thanks goes to Scott Schwake and Doug Hanson for sending me so many awesome pictures and updates! They make my job easy.