August 19th

UP! UP! UP!

Please be in prayer for this worker, Colya. 

He's just had back surgery as a hopeful answer to the back pain he's had. Out of the hospital, but still has time he needs to recover and that's without work compensation to provide for he and his families needs - workman's comp is not a Ukrainian thing.

We have helped to cover some of the costs for him. Colya fills the role right under the acting foreman, so his experience is needed. Our foreman, Constantine is also suffering from back pain, so you can pray for him as well.

This is the main hall of the house (above)

I am standing where the fireplace will be built

On the right will be the doorway into the main hall from the large entry way.

August 10th

The cement has been poured in the widow headers and insulation

around the upper portion installed.

up close look at a header, this ones a doorway

standing inside the main hall at Stephen's house, 

looking out to the courtyard garden doors that go into the back hall, which then enter into the guest back bedroom and out the window on the far side of the house

an interesting perspective

the Ingoulets River, just outside of town

Pictures from Thursday, 

August 4th

Stephen's house

walls going up, window's being framed

we have progress, 

not quite as exciting as "we have lift off" sounds

Valodya and I were working more to even out the therapy garden plot.

The area we'll put in side walks will be close to level for those in wheelchairs.

Sasha and Vladamir worked to get the rest of the water out of the basement.

First the pump had to be fixed to pump out the water.

Thanks guys!

August 1st

Everything is happening more quickly now that the foundation 

has been inspected and approved.

These pictures were taken on 

July 20th

The back wall of the house running parallel with our back property line 

where were putting up a security/privacy fence.

Unfortunately, our back neighbour has been everything, but kind.

July 11th 

Want to introduce you to our new security staff member

His names "little potato"

The walls are going up folks! 

I think these pictures portray much more than words can express.

This is the back wall of the house with it's 4 layers of brick around the perimeter.

this perspective gives insight -

were getting up off ground level

looking from the church back to the worksite

two men from church working on the back perimeter wall

Sergei, in the green is a professional brickmason.

We've been in a holding pattern for some time now. 

The biggest cause of this is the poor quality strength of cement that was delivered by a cement company, poured to form the top layer of the foundation. 

In the pictures below, the pinkish-red foundation now, that's the chemical treatment applied to the cement. We've been waiting to see how well the chemical worked to improve the strength. It's been weeks now to go through this whole process. I'd ask for your prayer as we've lost one of our 4 hired workers in the process. The men working are hard workers, 

I hope we do not loose more.

We did just sign the paperwork and made the first payment to continue working with this company for the next phase, building the walls. Everyone is ready to begin, again we just need confirmation that the foundation is strong enough.

Preparing for the reinforced concrete beam to be poured underneath the basement ceiling in order to finish off and connect the top portion of the load bearing wall

Area left open for building the staircase to the basement.

Basement ceiling after reinforcements have been applied, waiting to dry out completely

The pink stripe is the foundation with reinforced chemicals applied.

The next step will be to use a press to make sure the dirt is pressed down and compact for when the floor will be laid.