Amazing Progress on the House in 2 Days!

For the past 2 days we were very blessed to have a group of 9 people from Grace Evangelical Free Church in Rockford, MI with us.  They were a fantastic group and were able to get so much completed in our house for us. 
In just 2 days they were able to:
* build all the kitchen cabinet doors
* stain all the window and door trim
* stain 2 room doors and all the lower cabinet doors
* paint all the walls upstairs
* build a large book shelf and stain it
* lay formica on the counter tops and finish them beautifully

I never dreamed that a group of 9 people plus Kyrk's parents would be able to accomplish so much.  For the past month the progress on our house was coming along very slowly, so this was a huge encouragement to have all of this work completed in such a short time.  God really knew what we needed and met that need through these willing helpers.
Thank you so much!!

Josh, sanding cabinet doors

Jay, working diligently to build the cabinet doors

Staining the trim, while enjoying the shade and the breeze

Bryan and Justin installing the trim

Karen, finishing the door trim stain

We were so thankful to have several men help us move the fridge into place.

Patti painting the school room/office

Jay and Rob building the book shelf for the office

Anna had to inspect the work :)

Preparing our first meal in the real kitchen.  It was a very exciting moment!

God is at Work

When God called us to move to Atrel we knew that the main goal was to establish a training center for training school and church leaders.  This is still the overall goal, but seeing the steps to reach that goal are not clear.
During the past few months living here in Atrel we have been trying to learn how things work and get to know the people better, while at the same time we are focusing on getting our house built. 
Wednesday of this past week, Kyrk had the opportunity to meet with all the regional church leaders.  There were about 30 people at the meeting and it was a great time of learning what is happening in the churches and also for the leaders to ask questions and learn more about why we are here.

We are seeking God's wisdom to know how to best serve Him here.  We know that we want to come along side the local church and work with them in the areas that they are meeting needs.  One of the ideas that we had been thinking about was starting a trade school as part of the training center.  Last Sunday the church committee announced that they have decided to start a trade school!  Wow, God is working.  We are seeking God's wisdom to now know how we can come along side the church committee and help them with this trade school.

This afternoon we were blessed with a nice hard rain.  It has been such an answer to prayer to have received regular rains over the past month.  The temperatures have been around 120F during the day, so when it rains hard, the kids always ask if they can play outside.  When the storm had passed, these pictures give you a little idea of the fun the took place.  Yes, this is what you do on a very hot day when there is no pool or sprinkler and water is a treasured commoditiy.

Anna was content to just sit and watch the craziness

Jonathan claimed this mud puddle as his

Rebekah's personal mud puddle

Anna still isn't too sure about it

Finally after the water fight stopped she was okay with playing in the puddle with her tea set.

The new favorite play place in the unfinished kitchen cupboards.