Roofing wrap up!

We signed the documents saying the work's complete

with a few more details to complete in the next couple weeks

December 29th

Light shining through windows that have been installed.

INDOORS

With the inspector, construction designer, both my project managers and the builders present we walked through the house and went over those items that still need to be completed before we make the final payment to the building company for their work on the roof. They've built the three parts of the house thus far. 

First was the foundation, the walls went up next and then the roof.

Next will be the plumbing when spring comes and the ground thaws out.

On the right, the kitchen area, the central post was just added today. The question as to why it didn't go up over a month and a half ago is still unclear, as it is a required structural support for this 7 meter spanning beam. 

Grateful at this point it's up. Each post needs more base work support to solidify them.

In the coming week or two I will work with our metal worker to design these iron forms that will fit around the base screws embedded in each column's foundation, see example in the picture below.

 The therapy garden

These are the start for the grape arbor that will be placed in the therapy garden.

The grapevines will sit in the center of each of these square columns.

A floral design and leaf will be added to each swirl & painted a flat black to complete them.

Look for future pictures of these come spring time.

The day electricity was hooked up to the plot at Stephen's home.

December 28th

Lights on!

Windows up top went in the day before.

This is the fencing design for the border of the property.

A little bit more each day!

The windows in the high roof area of the house arrived today. December 20th

Men from the window company will install them on Thursday.

Completion of our metal roofing supply on Thursday as well, all this pending clear weather.

December 17th

A few more perspectives on the finished roof.

December 16

Would ya look at that!

It's taken quite a while to get to this point, 

metal roofing on the house, but it looks pretty good I must say.

Just a few more pictures

December 13

windows sealed for winter

over the main entry way, the finishing work begins

November 9th

PROGRESS

as of December 4th

Metal roofing is being place, well, one piece and one set of windows has plastic covering it.

It's a start! The cold of winter has already set in, 

so the guys are working 6 days a week to get the work done.

November 28

Details staring to be added, the underside of the roofing is going on

in part because not all the needed materials for the top part were ordered together.

Eventually it will get out to the worksite and put into place.

Here are the metal sheets for the top side of the roof, but again, they need to wait.

we do a lot of waiting

and waiting

and waiting

November 24th

Sasha took these pictures

I'm afraid of heights so you'd not see these kinds of views, I'd be on the ground. 

Sasha got some pretty good shots.

The key guy is in the gray jacket, Sasha, my project manager who's stepping down. He's done a phenomenal job to get this project going, jump starting it a couple times in the process. In the center Constantine, our foreman who likes to do things his way, so eventually we get accomplished what's necessary and Nickolay in the white sweatshirt, behind Sasha, leading the building team. Please continue to be in prayer for their safety, as you can see from these pictures below, they are working in high places.

facing down to the front area of the house toward the church building

looking out over our therapy garden plot

The gray graveled path will be poured with concrete this coming spring to form a smooth pathway for the wheelchairs to get around the garden area. The central tulip tree will provide shade and the 13 fruite trees, plenty to eat. 

the cathedral main hall - exterior & interior views

November 17th

Working to gain insight from the way others help and teach the disabled.
We want to do our best when Stephen's home opens to our young men.

Phyllis and I shared our following morning observing and talking with moms and dads who love their disabled children enough to do something to provide for them rather than giving them up to the government to take care of in orphanages like that in Tsyrupinsk. 
In the process they are providing for other families who also have kids with disabilities so mom and dad can go to work and know that their kids are learning, growing and safe in an environment where they are really cared for.

The daily lesson begins everyday greeting every child 

and then putting up the picture of everyone present along with their name, 

recognizing that each child present is valued.

making sure their muscles don't become atrophied, daily exercises is part of the routine

Fine motor skills are developed here in the classroom at desks,

but if sitting is too difficult, then they can go, free of their own accord, 

to the comfortable room and relax, maybe try again later.

NOVEMBER 16th

My friend and coworker out at the orphanage, Phyllis, took a trip with me to visit and learn from others who are also working with children and young adults who are disabled here in Ukraine. It was such a beautiful and encouraging trip that filled me with joy as God showed us how he is at work through others fighting for the dignity and hearts of those without a voice, the disabled orphans we work with.

The first stop was in Zhitomir where a family is working in an orphanage just like the one Phyllis and I work in here in Tsurupinsk and by God's planning, they are refurbishing a home they purchased for their family of 7 they will open to 2 young disabled men.

This will be a starting point for them

looking out the upper story window

They have lots for land behind the house to work with and other plots 

nearby that are available for sale.

a currier and ives kind of image

pretty panorama