Foundation is Complete and Trusses Begin to Rise

As for God, his way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to Him for protection.
-- 2 Samuel 22:31

(Please note the posting from Team 3 below this one.)
This verse says a lot about what happened Tuesday at the work site. It was a long day, but we made tremendous progress on the main entrance to the church. Walls went up including two 20-foot wall sections that form part of the main entryway. One interpreter helping with the construction looked at the walls rising with amazement. He said, "I remember standing here three years ago on this empty field and Pastor Roma telling me this would be a great spot for a church. And now here it is taking shape." God's promise is being fulfilled to the believers in Lesosibirsk through our hands and your prayers.

The other part of this verse speaks of protection. After seven days on the work site, we have only experienced cuts, bruises and sore muscles. Tuesday we experienced God's protection when we struggled to raise the second 20-foot wall section. Praise God that it did not fall and we were able to place it and nail it down. Today (Wednesday) we were able to have the crane hoist the third 20-foot wall section into place. We might also be able to begin installing trusses.

The wood we are using here has been interesting. We were able to buy 20-foot lengths that are a full 2-inches deep. Quality control, however, is sometimes lacking. Some boards we have received have varied in width by more than an inch from end to end. Others literally have waves in them. But we have learned to be flexible and to understand things operate differently here than at home.

With the foundation now complete there is a good chance the floor will be finished by Friday. God has blessed us with good weather, despite the heat last week. It has enabled us to accomplish a lot. This week it is cooler with temperatures in the upper 70s to 80. We had another thunderstorm Monday night, but it cleared up by morning. There was lots of mud at the work site on Tuesday morning, but not enough to delay the crane from setting up. Prayers are being answered.

The team is learning a lot from this trip about God's timing and rejoicing in all circumstances. While the weather is cooler and were getting more used to the different food, culture and time zone, it is still physically demanding as we press on with work. But there is joy in our hearts as we laugh and joke with one another. After more than a week of working together, even our translators and fellow Russian workers on site have joined in the kidding and fun. They have become friends and have asked many questions about you and our church. Imagine people here in Lesosibirsk, Siberia knowing about Maple Rapids and our small church that is laboring to build them a church.

We continue to hear the stories from church members of lives changed by Jesus Christ. It is a reminder that the church is much more than a building. The body of believers here are rebuilding lives on a foundation of faith in Christ and giving hope to many who were in hopeless situations. It is truly humbling to stand between the new walls in the entryway of the church and to think about what great things God will accomplish here over the years to come. Continue to pray for the church body here.

But you, dear friends, must continue to build your lives on the foundation of your holy faith. And continue to pray as you are directed by the Holy Spirit.
-- Jude 1:20