Revival

Singing with the team the first day.

presenting skits for the students to enjoy

The last three days a revival team from Chiang Mai came to our school. They actually arrived Saturday evening and went to local churches on Sunday to help preach and teach to the locals. Then Monday-Wednesday they had someone come and teach for the teacher's devotions, then had three sessions in the morning. The first session was for Kindergarten and First Grade. The second session was for Second-Fourth Grade, and the final session was for Fifth-Seventh Grade. In the afternoon they split up and each went to one of the Fourth-Seventh grade classes to talk with the students and dig in a little deeper about what was taught in the morning. They played games, sang songs, and put on plays for the students. The theme was BE STRONG. It was cute to see the kids all yelling "Be Strong" together. On Wednesday they  had an invitation time, in which students could choose to dedicate their lives for the first time, or to confess their sins and rededicate their lives. The ones on the stage are those who chose to dedicate their lives to Christ for the first time. The ones bowed down praying are the ones who rededicated their lives to Christ.

Teaching in Thailand I often get frustrated with all of the disruptions to my teaching time for silly things. The revival every year is about the only interruption that I don't get frustrated with. It is always good to see the students learning of God's love for them, especially when it is presented in a fun and friendly way that they are open to receiving. They get to know the team over tme, trust them, and look forward to them coming back. What a blessing, and what a testimony to the work being done by the Church of Christ in Thailand and by Saha Christian Suksa School to bring students to Christ. Please be praying for the students who made decisions and those that didn't. That God would be working in their lives, and that they would see Him working and be open to it.

BE STRONG and reciting the weeks memory verse

more plays

Committing their lives to Christ for the first time.

Asking for forgiveness and rededicating their lives.

Praying for forgiveness.

A few of the teacher's with the team from Chiang Mai.

Middle Row

This week has brought about the foundation and poles in the center row of the building. I missed taking pictures of this step in the back row, so made sure to snap some pictures of how they did it. Once the foundations were laid they set up the metal barriers around the metal rods to keep the cement in, then they poured it into each of the poles. They used a chute to pour the cement in, and the guy at the bottom used a rod to make sure the cement got tightly packed together and filled in all the possible cracks.

pouring cement into the pole molds, making

sure it is nice and tight.

I think this was before they poured the cement in,

but I could be wrong. Notice the fish line showing

them where to put things so they are nice and straight.

getting the molds out of the hole was a hard job.

taking off the molds so they can be used again

Plugging along

They just keep working. Yesterday they got the bases poured, and when I went this morning they already had the grates down and were wiring the pillars in place. This took a lot of accuracy checking to make sure they were in the exact right spot before the cement could be poured. They also used boards to hold them upright at a 90 degree angle using a level. It was funny to watch the guy that was doing the checking as he had a mouth full of beetle nut working along. I've made friends with the foreman and the workers. They have told me that I need to come and visit them everyday to give them encouragement. I'm only too happy to as I get to map the progress of the building and share it with you. I've always been one who likes watching people work, and this is a whole new building set up and structure I've never seen done before. I love watching them. My plan is to take them cake sometime soon to ensure our friendship, my welcome into their working area, and to thank them for building this for us. Who knows, maybe they'll see a little bit of our Father as well :)  

wiring the pillar to the grate

Making sure it is at a 90 degree angle

pouring cement in the first pillar

raining cement, I once again want to pin point the

accuracy he has when dumping this. The guy at

top on the edge is the foreman (as far as I can tell).

Over the weekend

 Look what happens when you think they weren't working over the weekend and didn't go and double check. Monday morning I went to check on the building and found the whole back row finished, and filled in around the pillars. They also had the row dug up for the middle row of pillars and were measuring where to put the center of each pillar using fish strings from above, and one hanging down from the intersections. Very creative way to figure out where they needed to go.

figuring out where the center of the first pillar should be                                                                              

By the time I went back to check on them mid morning they already had the bases framed in and were pouring cement into them. I'm amazed at the accuracy that the back hoe driver has to be able to put the cement in just the right spot in those squares of cement. I could watch him for a long time. Too bad teaching duties keep getting in the way and calling me back to work.  

When he dumps the cement into the holes I think it sounds

like rain. I definitely wouldn't want to be caught in the middle

of that shower though filled with rocks, sand and cement.

Foundation Laying Ceremony

I visited while they were decorating the tent and my neighbor

insisted I take a picture of her working. She does all of the work

like this for all activities. if you ever need fabric draped

anywhere for decorations, she's the one to call.

 I'm not sure if that is exactly how you would translate the ceremony that we had, but its the best I can do. Translating can be tough sometimes. Two people from the Church of Christ in Thailand were already going to be in town for an event at the hospital today, so they stayed a few extra hours for our ceremony as well. They talked about the importance of the new building, the addition of 3 grades over the next 3 years, prayed for the construction and safety of the builders, a short message, a song by the choir, and the people from CCT, the school board, and the manager and director of the school each dumped a bucket of cement over the first pillar. I included all of their pictures dumping cement below so you can get an idea of who these people are. At least have a face to put with them. Maybe it will make it more real for those of you who have never visited our school before.

Someone requested a picture of the director and manager at the building

site. So, after the ceremony I took the picture of them standing in one of the

future classrooms. It's so good to see this project underway. Please continue

to pray for this project as the building progresses.

Back Bases

These pictures were taken as they began to do work. I missed when they dug the hole, but got some pics of them working on the bases for the back of the building. From what I understand they are putting these big slabs of cement down, with the metal grate on top, with a metal pillar connected to it. This is supposed to help make the building earthquake proof. There are about 40 centimeters of cement total at the bottom total (if I understand right).

Preparing for the metal grate to be put in with the pillar

and another layer of cement. This is turning out to be quite the process.

Working to prepare the metal grates and pillars to put in the ground.

The students pointed out how well they were working together to send the

buckets from where they mixed the cement to the hole. Apparently bucket brigades

are still used in some parts of the world, at least in construction.

Here's a better look at the back row of the school. That bridge was built for the

ground laying/breaking ceremony to be held on Thursday.

Arrival

delivering stones for cement work

 From my understanding the new building was supposed to be started during the month of April while I was at home. However, I guess they were just waiting for my return to the village to start building. The first load of stones arrived the day after I did (Saturday). I just happened to be at the school using the internet when it arrived. However, I didn't have my camera. These first pictures are from Tuesday when the second load of stones arrived.

Within a few days other materials and workers arrived. They began twisting metal and making bases and pillars. All of these are held together by little wires that they twisted at each intersection of the metal. I've always loved learning new things and watching people work. This was right up my alley. Good thing I can use taking pictures for the blog as an excuse for going out and watching every step of the way. It's so good to see things getting underway. Please continue praying for this project, and pass this blog on to people that may be willing to pray and donate as well. God Bless You!