Progress continues on the new homes. The first coat of primmer paint is up which means the cabinet guy (our good friend Ben Nickel from Rosemary) has been given the green light to go ahead and install. We're waiting for his farming responsibilities to release him! Our finish carpenter, Gary, has started finishing house number two. And both basements are now ready for concrete. If we can get a cement truck in here this Saturday, the plan is to pour the first basement.
We have now passed Eight Hundred Thousand in cash and pledges for Reaching Higher with a current total of $810,136.71. Andrew's ride through Alberta was certainly a boost for us. So a BIG thanks again Andrew! As the homes come close to completion we are now turning our focus on the lodge. If you were to ask me what our single greatest need at Evergreen is, I would reply - a new kitchen and dining hall. As I write this blog we have 165 students and staff from Heritage Christian Academy on site - and its snowing outside! Cold muddy weather adds a certain challenge to feeding and providing programming for such a large group when hanging around outside is not an option.
You're probably wondering how in the world schrakjlijch ended up in my blog. It's my word of the day and I would pronounce it "shrek lich". I don't worry about the j's. Then make the whole word come out from the back of your throat somewhere. It's one of those low German (Plautdietsch) words I heard my parents using as a kid growing up. You can actually look it up online in the Plautdietsch dictionary. It means, dreadful, shocking, terrible, awful, frightful.
Craig was back again this week filling some last minute cracks for the finish carpenter and I met him over at house number two. Getting to the homes in this weather is schrakjlijch. It's muddy, it's cold, the clay is sticking to your boots, your vehicle is sinking up to its axle because the ground is so soft, the ramp to get into the home is snowy, slippery and muddy. Simply put - its schrakjlijch outside! (try saying schrakjlijch ten times quickly!) Thankfully the flooring is one the last things to go in because you can't help but track about 10 lbs of mud in every time you enter.
We're over halfway through our busy September already. Most of the staff who have been battling sickness seem to be on the mend. We would however still appreciate your prayers so that we can finish our fall season strong.
As you can tell I still need practice with my selfies! Today's selfie was taken at the Columbia Bible College alumni reunion at the Calgary vs B.C. football game. Take note of Kevin way at the back!
Thanks again for your ongoing support as we continue to reach higher.
Bob "Ranger" Kroeker
Executive Director
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