Under Roof

"Many hands make light work." This old maxim has proved true over the last three weeks. Thanks to a number of volunteer masons and carpenters, our new building is under roof. In the picture the foyer is on the left side of the building and includes the main entry to the school. As you circle the building to the right, the terrain slopes away to reveal a "daylight" basement which will house our future church auditorium. Dan Alvarez is working on the in-floor radiant heat today after which we plan to pour concrete. If funds allow, we hope to complete the exterior with split-face block before winter.

Permit Obtained

This is the go. Praise the Lord with us.

In Motion

To all looking on it, appears as if little to nothing has been happening over the last number of months. However, behind the scenes a few wheels have been turning. We successfully appealed the use of a more expensive elevator and were granted the option of using the cheaper model that we had been considering. This week, plans cleared with Code Systems (the review board for the state) and have been passed on to the township for permitting. This is a giant leap forward and we thank you for your prayers.

Walter Worstel began digging on the property again yesterday to do the final levelling of the ball field and to finish to basement hole to final grade. Next on the agenda is digging the footers.

Currently are needs are time and funds - time in our busy schedules to work on the project once it begins and funds for the completion of the work. We are required to put a down-payment on the elevator in order for the elevator co. to release blueprints to the architect to incorporate into our prints.

Of Elevators and Stalled Progress

This blog has lain dormant for some time largely due to a lack of visible progress. Currently we are reporting a large foundation-shaped hole to be visible at 647 Eldersville Rd. A rough driveway entrance is in place and the landscape has taken on definite shapes of parking lot, ball field, and driveways. The snow has melted and the weather is excellent for building.

One of the hurdles we are currently facing is legal "red tape." Code Systems, the equivalent of our non-existent township inspector, is the entity in charge of reviewing and approving our architectural prints. They are requiring us to install an elevator in the church/school. We have been trying to get them to approve a $19,000 elevator, but the have rejected that and are saying we need the next level of elevator costing aprox. $35,000. This seems somewhat unreasonable, but we have not been able to make any progress in negotiations. Some specific prayer requests are:

1. That this elevator situation could be resolved in a feasible manner.
2. That the prints could be approved quickly so we can take advantage of this lovely building weather.
3. That funds will continue to be made available for the completion of the project.
4. Wisdom for all involved in the planning - building committee, Code Systems, Koehlinger Engineering, and the elevator company

Workday at 647 Eldersville Rd.

They didn't want hot tea and coffee. There were better things to do. After several hours of dragging trees, cutting firewood, and stomping around in the mud, the handful of volunteers at the church property preferred cold drinks of water. The major project turned out to be the felling of a single giant tree. After puzzling over how to fell its mass against a contrary breeze, the men gathered around for an impromptu plea to God for their safety and for the work in general. It took another hour of hammering in wedges and contemplating strategy before the "Timber!" cry.
A lot of dirt got moved-- just ask the moms of the junior helpers! Thanks to Walter in the bulldozer, we've made a good beginning. And there'll be more than a few fires fueled by the wood-cutting results of the day. Lots of work accomplished, lots more still to be done.

Groundbreaking!

January 21st, 2010 - the official date that we broke ground. Our church gathered at the building site on this frosty winter morning and watched was Walter scratched the first bit of earth. Raymond led us in a prayer of blessing and dedication for congregation and the new building.

The excitement was short-lived when a hydraulic hose burst and brought the work to a stop. By mid-morning though, the machine was fixed and we were once again making progress.

We also received our official address today - 647 Eldersville Rd. Just don't send us any mail until we put up a mailbox. :)

Help Wanted

After the initial excavation has been completed, we will be looking for help with footers and block laying. If you are interested in joining us in this work please contact Ken Yoder. (8kyoder at gmail dot com)

Ken and Wayne report a very fruitful meeting with the representatives of several utility companies this morning. They seem very accommodating and eager to work with us.

Good News!

After much waiting and prayer we at last have the driveway permit for our new church/school building in hand. We plan to break ground on Thursday, weather permitting. Walter, a local equipment operator, will be running a rented bulldozer to level a ball field and parking lot, create the driveway, and dig out for the foundation.

Tomorrow (Wed.) morning Wayne and Ken are meeting with representatives from the water, electric, and phone companies to discuss the logistics of utilities.

Architectural prints are expected to be approved within a week or two. Once excavation is complete and the final blueprints have been received, we plan to move forward with the footers and block walls as finances allow.

Upcoming decisions include colors of split-faced block and shingles

We welcome your continued input and prayers.