But rest assured... this project has not been abandoned! In fact, I have just returned from my first trip to Liberia since 2010, and I am anxious to share with you some of my latest pictures so you can see what is happening with PROJECT BUCHANAN today. In short: Over the last 2 years, Liberian contractors have been busy, four different stateside work teams have gone over to help, and construction has been started on three buildings (with one now nearing completion)... well, let me not get ahead of myself in the story!
A little more than 2 months ago, I had the opportunity to travel to Buchanan with a 3-man work team that was going over from New Jersey. Gordon Tiner (the team leader), Jim Purcaro, and Jason Young spent the last 2 weeks of July in Buchanan, where they worked very hard on several PROJECT BUCHANAN construction jobs. After they returned to the States, I spent another 2 weeks in Liberia doing some project follow-up.
So let's get started with the slideshow...
One of the first jobs on Gordon Tiner's list was to build concrete steps from the back kitchen door down to ground level at the back of the house. |
Here Gordon is checking his measurements and making a few suggestions... |
...and now the wet concrete is being shoveled into the wooden forms. |
Considerable work had to be done on the wooden window frames and sills throughout the building, before they would be ready to accommodate the jalousies. (See the third photo below.) |
Bringing the generator outside didn't seem to help get it started... |
...nor did looking at it from a different angle! |
Meanwhile... While we stood around wondering what to do next, a truly skilled carpenter among us decided to pull out his trusted rip saw and get the job done by hand--and in short order! |
When we were having this much 'fun' (or was it frustration?), the morning really flew by quite quickly! Soon it was time for some lunch, out in front of the building. |
This is fantastic info and helps me gain an appreciation for both the weather, the lack of power, and the basic problems in construction. Keep the pics and dialogue coming ~ thanks so much!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda, to you and Bob for all your support. And yes... I have more pics to share, as soon as I can get them uploaded!
ReplyDeleteYou and Paula have an awesome vision for the kids over there. Cool story! I have a good feeling now of what it would be like to be over there. God is progressing things forward! Praying for you and Paula.
ReplyDeleteThis is Isaiah Di Lorenzo by the way.
DeleteThanks, Isaiah! Come visit us over there sometime. (You can't let your brother out-do you on this one!)
DeleteOK! Now this makes me want to go back! Great post, Gord! Thanks so much! I guess the best one of all for me to see was the pic of Tabitha! I never did meet Sam but I remember Tabitha well. What a beautiful family! The little girl has her Mama's smile! So cute! Do you know who the one is between Tabitha and Caleb?
ReplyDeleteWell, big sigh! Not very likely that I will get back to hear the rains and taste the food!
The girl not identified in the photo is Joyce, who was visiting her cousins the week I was there.
DeleteAnd who knows? You might get back there at least one more time...
Appreciate all you and Paula do. God speed! Pastor Larry
ReplyDeleteThanks, Larry! Glad to hear you're feeling better...
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ReplyDeleteI stayed and worked at the Liberia Inland Mission near River Cess for 3 months in 1984.
ReplyDeleteI never met you Gordon or your parents but could see the extraordinary work that you had completed at the mission.
I stayed with, Elisabeth Baumann (my wife's aunt), Sharon, Regula (Swiss nurse) and Heather Jones.
I also remember visits from Tom and June Jackson. I remember Daniel and Mary and all of their children, Enoch and many others.
Is the 'Tabitha' the one one who worked helping out at the 'Nurse's House' back then?
Tim Hoddy