Day 1

Just for those of you who do not know how we do things here.  In the morning I TRY to get online (when internet signal is usually best) and post a summary and photos of the previous day.  So…. Here goes!  Enjoy and keep those prayers coming.  We appreciate them SO MUCH!
Today was not what was anticipated or planned but the team just rolled with it and WOW!  They did an amazing job helping get the Center ready!

You already read that we went to church in the morning.  Yes, it was LONG, but it was a blessed time and we had a great message and talk at evening debrief.  Then, we came back to the base, took communion as a group (always so awesome!) and off to the Center we went.  Last week we had my husband and a friend work on some construction- building a wall, dividers for classrooms, shelves, benches, a shed for all our tools, etc.  Some of those projects were not 100% finished when they left though they did a LOT to prepare for opening the Center later this summer.  I made a list, but overall it was uncertain how much would be done.  Well, within an hour or so they were like, “What else can we do?”  WHAT??????   Here is just a short list of SOME of the things that were accomplished.
 
-Alex, Glen and Jerry finished the shed (tin roof, hung the door, put on the lock)

-Emily cut the hair of FOUR missionaries I never knew before (we put it on a missionary website I am part of – that we had a stylist coming to bless other missionaries and these four responded.  We got to hear about their ministries, pray with them and encourage them in the work they are doing)

-Karen, Tera, Haylee, Gary, Jen, David, Jerry, Gady and Stephana painted walls (the blue room is about ¾ done and the green entry /porch is finished with a first coat already)

-Tiffany, Victoria, Lisa Weaver, Marilyn, Lisa Witcher, Lesa, and some others scrubbed chairs, swept floors, cleaned all the random “junk” up that we had laying around, threw out a bunch of wood scraps, etc.  The floor ended up being mopped and it is CLEAN in that place now!  They also put a first coat of paint on the dividing walls.

-Roy and Redgi started the plumbing and almost have the bathroom in the apartment FINISHED!  They hope to work on the rest of the plumbing as the week goes along.  Oh- and did I say that they tried to fix the air conditioning in the bus, but didn’t have enough refrigerant to finish so we will get more to prime the system.

This is by far not a complete list (sorry guys if I forgot to mention what you did but I was so busy I probably missed a lot AND it is 5 am so not thinking so clearly- lol).  But, it is SOOOO appreciated and God is going to do great things in this Center for HIS people.  You have helped make that more of a reality.  Thanks!

Today we have a Discipleship class for men and one for women in the morning.  The rest of the crew will finish random “jobs” or go on a prayer walk.  They will also work on Bible School prep.  In the afternoon we will head to the orphanage- YAY!  Prayers appreciated that we can really pour into the children and Nannies at this time of grieving and uncertainty.

Everyone is healthy, but NOT liking the heat.  We already refilled 8 water jugs (5 gallon) after one day so I am very happy cause they are all drinking plenty.  We have had NO POWER both nights so sleeping is HOT and SWEATY.  (and no coffee- yikes)  Pray everyone wakes today refreshed in spite of the electric issues.  That’s about it.  Keep praying and remember by doing so YOU are a valuable part of this team as well.  -Crystal

PS-  Thanks for the comments.  CHRISTIAN- stop making me CRY (so far you are two days for two between the journal and your comment).  We read the comments to the group in the morning, so they know you are sending your love!