It was noses down and bums up starting first thing Tuesday. The crates had arrived Monday arvo so the tools were out and the saw was busily being put together. The local builders were already hard at work on the foundation and the rest of us got to work on the desks.
There were about 30 wooden desks that needed painting and some needed repairs. A group of about 5 girls came and were very eager to help with the painting and did so all week. Chris was the main painting supervisor and had a natural affinity with paint - attracting it even when trying desperately to avoid it.
Painting the desks and preparing the doors for a new surface
In terms of miraculous provision, we realised as were fixing up the desks that we needed a certain size nail that hadn't been brought. It "just so happened" that as Val and Chris were cleaning out the library they found a bag of exactly the type of nails we needed that had simply been left there...so all the desks were fixed and we didn't have to waste time and money trying to find the nails.
The local women and children came each day. Some sat close by and were happy for us to try and chat. The children are gorgeous and smile lots and enjoyed the sporting equipment Darryl brought to leave there for them.
One of our smiling friends
Lindsay, Margaret and I walked back a little early so that Lindsay could prepare for the evening teaching sessions. It was refreshing to have a cold shower (no hot water here folks! Except for those clever people who brought solar hot water bags). I sat next to a girl called Levena and shared the torch so that we could look up scriptures together. Everyone was happy to share torches and helped as there were only two lamps in the church. John Fazakerley came up with a clever stand to hold a light for Lindsay to help with the sessions the following few nights.
Lindsay using people to illustrate his teaching
It was a good day and it felt like we had accomplished a lot already, despite the wood not yet arriving to start cladding the building walls. Prayer was answered and it wasn't raining and this was important in getting the new foundation down.
I was especially thrilled to be given a hot drink after the training sessions, nice for settling the tummy and brain.
