Project: stairs

So yeah, stairs didn't come with the original pouring of the floor so 3 weeks later now we built stairs. This week, starting Monday we built the forms and supports for the stairs. heading up to the 3 floor. Now I don't have to climb up the column. haha. Much easier. But yeah, it was a pretty good week, all went well. Monday was exciting as I had a nice fall but nothing too bad. I was walking around on a makeshift scaffold when I stepped on a board that I knew I probably shouldn't have. I was just trying to turn around right quick but that half second was enough for the board to break and me fall through only the catch myself with an arm and a leg. haha. Quite Indiana Jonesish. Anyone, one nice scrape down my arm and everything is good. Everything has gone smoothly from there on out and today we finished the forms and support as we prepare to pour the concrete tomorrow. Also, the space in front of the church has become a formidable vollyball court and we ruitinely play a game of volly after lunch. Its a bit different than vollyball in America as they play with 3 people and the rules on hitting the ball are a bit more liberal. But yeah, thats always a good time, especially cuz the losing team always buys something to drink. Its all good fun though. haha.

Other than the ongoing construction this week, last weekend was pretty relaxed. Friday I took the day off to rest after being sick on Thursday. I feel much better now, havn't had a problem since Thursday so I think it may have just been what I ate. However, with the free time, we took a trip to the Mitad del Mundo (middle of the world). That was quite the experience. There is actually a giant monument and park with stores to honor the middle of the world, however, its not actually on the equator. The French came and decided thats where it was even after the native indians had found its true location. Now, however, GPS has confirmed that the indians were in fact correct and there is a smaller monument and museum there to honor the true location. We went to the real deal. With a guide we went through the museum as the talked about the native indians of Ecuador and various rituals and how they lived. It was pretty neat and they had a real shrunken head. Craziness. They also took us to the equator and had a number of demonstrations as proof. Of course there is the coreolis effect (the effect of the spin of the earth on draining water, the cyclone effect as it goes down the drain). In the northern hemisphere, home, it rotates counterclockwise. Here in the southern hemisphere it rotates clockwise and on the equator... it doesn't rotate at all!! It just goes straight down. Also, because the forces from the north and south are balanced at the equator, it is fairly easy to balance a raw egg on the head of a nail. That was cool to do. Also, if you walk on the equator with your arms out and eyes closed, you can feel the magnetic pulls from the north and south tug at you as you walk. Crazy feeling. But yeah, all in all it was real neat and definately interesting to see how being in a specific location can change so much.

Other than the excursion to the equator, the weekend was rather uneventful. Saturday was youth group, always a good time. And Sunday morning was church where I learned that there will be a wedding at the church on March 14th. That will be exciting to see. Sunday afternoon was filled with talk of doing stuff and in the end not much happened as Fernando and I spent the afternoon helping a freind with technical drawings. haha, real exciting stuff. But yeah, can't complain, all is going well here. I'm alright, a slight cold but I feel fine. Just yeah, continue to pray for the work and for safety and that God will continue to use the rest of my time here to complete His work. Hard to believe there is just over 2 weeks left. 2 weeks from Monday I will be on my way home. But yeah, until there, I'm enjoying life here. I hope all is well back home, I love and miss you all!

I realize I never posted pictures of the work done while the group from the states was here. Here is the sanctuary which was tiled and the cieling painted. It looks so much nicer and is infinitely brighter.

Here is on of the bathrooms, both of which were tiled and painted. The toilets are installed and waiting for the water to be hooked up. They are still waiting for the cabinets and sinks to be installed but it actually looks like a bathroom now. haha

Here is a current picture of the church as a whole. Here it is with the third floor up top. The stairs are on the right hand side there, the new ones will continue up from there. Eventually, when the church has the money, they walls will be built and the sanctuary will be on the second floor.

Here is our work for the week as we built the forms for the stairs, which we completed today. Tomorrow we will fill them and after 2 weeks or so we can remove the forms and they will be ready for use.