All work and no play?

When we dropped off our weary workers on Saturday night, I was again amazed at the way God brought the people we needed to accomplish His work. Although departing airport runs are sad, especially for the children, we knew that they had accomplished the work they had set out to do. And more so!

Max keeping an eye on the water bags

This trip had difficulty coming together, and with a date change thrown in, we didn't know how everything would come together. We knew that 2 people were coming on the original dates, and that the next 11 would come 1 day before those 2 left. As it turned out, Tim, who arrived January 17th, was able to help Ron prepare for the group to come, which was helpful because I am constructionally challenged. When Sara and I picked up the next 11 guests, complete with their 22 checked bags and all their carryons and backpacks, we had a van full of people and a truck full of luggage. Even with the time change and oven-like temperatures here, they were ready to go the next day, and after the ridge pole was set we were moving. The men worked hard and without complaint, and we even received another worker in Nelson Shirk, who assisted at Living Hope for a week and then came to help us for a week. Thank you Nelson!

Eric enjoying some local food

Our job was to set the rafters on the Bible Institute, and then put the purlins and facia boards on. The rafters are made by joining 2 2x6 boards and putting a scab on. The wood is very hard, requiring grease to help drive the nails in. Then these heavy rafters were handed up to our fearless men on the roof, where they were nailed into place. Musselman Lumber was kind to send 30 pounds of screws along, which made this process much easier. With one screw to hold the board in place, the guys could then drive several nails in the hard wood. Musselman's also sent along 100 construction pencils, and as a mission we are very grateful for their donation!

After the rafters were set, we started putting the 2x3 purlins in place, which the metal will be screwed onto. This required a lot of lumber, and a second trip to the lumber yard. All this lumber is treated with a mixture of turpentine, chemical, creosote, and diesel fuel in the attempt to keep the termites out. Once the purlins were on, the facia board was installed and the job was complete!

A view from the top, including Harmattan haze

Due to the job going better than expected, some of our workers from NCMF were able to go out and help Jon Groff at his place. And the guys that stayed here were able to do some other projects which were very beneficial to us.


We did get to go to the Kakum National Forest, and then visit the beach where the group matched wits with the mighty Atlantic Ocean. Following a delicious meal of cassava fish and charcoal chicken, we left for the 2 hour ride home.
In the evenings, many rowdy games of "Pigs and Chickens", Rook, and Pit lasted well into the morning hours. Cokes in glass bottles disappeared in exorbitant numbers. The Africa Cup of Nations was on, and the team watched Ghana compete to win. Some very good late-night chats with friends and the church ministry was very encouraging. It became harder and harder for them to arise for the 6:45 AM breakfast time, but after a cup of coffee and some thought-provoking devotions, we were good to go.

Thank you Steph!

So, thank you Stephanie and Annie, for your help to Sara in the kitchen. We worked hard and ate even better. Thank you Tim, Mike, Tyler, Kendrick, Preston, Shawn, Jeremy, Eric, Jon, Nelson, Tim, and Janelle. May God bless you for your service to Him!

More pictures are available on our website, http://www.cfcint.com/, and Shawn Graber has written a masterful journal of his time here in Ghana at www.cfcint.com/images/Africa_Trip_Report.pdf.