Building Stones

Building Stones - Napa 2004 - August 2, 2004

(Click on small image for a larger image)

Update from
Napa, California for
August 2, 2004

The hard work has begun, and we mean hard! An early morning breakfast led to an early start at Valley Community Church. Did you see the photos online of the front of church? It's a nice memory now… it's gone. The Building Stones gave their all today tearing down the front stage at church. Bruno Brouwer was in charge of the demolition today. There were many hands breaking down the walls and many more cleaning up the mess that was left behind.

VCC was previously built by the Mormon church, so there is a baptismal tub, or the "Holy Jacuzzi" (named by the Building Stones). One of the jobs of today was to take apart the tub. That required the use of a jackhammer. Several of the men used the jackhammer, but we found our expert in the crowd. Laura Van Howe showed her expertise and did a great job. Almost the entire front of church is clear, one more small wall and they can begin building the new stage.

Elsewhere at VCC, there were many other people doing work. There was a lot of cleanup in the yard, weeding the courtyard, and making sure the dumpster was packed correctly. There was also work being done in the bathrooms and the kitchen. Both rooms are getting a makeover. John Swaagman got zapped quite a few times in the kitchen. There were ladies working with sewing machines fixing costumes and several other women painting a mural of Noah's Ark in the nursery (beware, there may be plans in the works for a similar mural at Calvin Church),

After a hard days work, everyone went home and took a shower, then gathered together for dinner. We have truly enjoyed each others company and look forward to more time spent together.

A prayer of thanksgiving for safety throughout today. Please continue to pray for safety and that we may continue to work ahead of schedule.