For those interested, a few more pics of the ground breaking ceremony
from March 19th, 2016 
It was quite a day of celebration!

Now in Ukraine, as celebrations go, time is not of the essence, so do not plan anything else for your day. Many people shared at this gathering, several of them wonderful friends. 

Jennifer and Joe Brown. 

Joe shared from Micah 6:8 which says 
"He has told you, O mortal, what is good;
and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, 
and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"

James Thornton shared about people being created in God's image, with dignity and worth.

Julia, his wife, translating beside him. Wonderful and long time friends of mine.

 

The house was rather full 

This is where the kids from Stephen's home and Naomi's home will join 

the congregation here in Darivka for Sunday church services.

Sasha leading the prayer over the plot for Stephen's home.

A glimpse of the plans

Every gathering has to have good food

Today was a lot of equipment was brought to prepared the construction site. We hired a security guard on duty day and night. Today, the foundation started by counting off the measurements for it. We bought spotlights to illuminate the building area and tomorrow they will be mounted. The water was connected. A letter to the village council was written with a request to permit the excess land to be removed. Work in full swing, thank God!

Looking to the back plot of Stephen's home

Saturday, March 19, 2016

The ground breaking ceremony took place at the church in Darivka and the plot for Stephen's home behind the church was prayed over by those gathered for the ceremony.

Sasha, the project manager, was one of the nine pastor's from the area of Kherson 

who were present for the celebration.

Five of the pastor's shared during the opening service at the church.

Celebrations like this require worship and praise to the Lord, 

Ukrainian's know how to sing and worship.

Praying over the Stephen's home plot

Sasha breaking the ground for the first time, others followed.

(more pictures to come)

Joe breaking ground on the Stephen's home plot.

Joe and his wife Jennifer were out the day before to prune and clean up that therapy garden area for the celebration ceremony. They are a wonderful blessing and help with the project.

Tomorrow morning, March 12, 2016, at 8am our time, 4pm Ukraine time, the ground breaking prayer ceremony is taking place for Stephen's Home. My friend Phyllis will be present and take picture that I will share with all, but for those who want to join in, I wanted to let you know. I do apologize for my late notice, the timing has changed several times so as many folks at that end could be present.

Thank you for your loving support. Alys

CONSRUCTION TEAMS COMING TO KHERSON in 2016
If you are interested in participating in one of the 4 teams that are forming to come to Kherson, Ukraine to build Stephen's home this coming spring and fall 2016, please contact Lori, Murwin with questions or to apply today: 
lmurwin@nmsi.org or 513.545.9117

Team 1: May 8th - 23rd 2016

Skilled construction workers needed to put a partial basement for this home 

for disabled young men.

Cost: $3600

2 spot still available

Team 2: May 23rd - June 5th 2016

Skilled construction workers needed to dig and pour the house foundation.

The handicapped accessible house is 470 sq meters

 Cost: $3300

Team 3: Potentially September 4th - 18th 2016

This is a church team that has begun to form, so spots for them will take precedence, but you are welcome to join.

Cost: $2910

Team 4: No dates set yet, but the need is for skilled workers to help put up the roof

before winter sets in. Timing would most likely be late October. 

10 potential team members could join

Continued clearing and preparation for the building of 

Stephen's home this coming May, 2016

Sasha preparing the fruit trees for winter

Clearing the plot for Stephen's home, getting the roots of a downed tree cleared out.

Making progress/behind the church property

Latest in the design plans as the construction team is working on 

the engineering drafts for building Stephen's Home.

Layout for the basement that will serve as the cold/root cellar for the home.

Freezers are not a commodity in Ukraine. 

Storage of fruit and vegetables through the winter months 

is largely stored in these underground spaces.

This is a very rough cross section of the center of the house.

The main living area in Stephen's home is an inner room with one small exterior wall

Natural lighting will come through high windows toward the top of this

lofted area and will also provide fresh air to this space.