Sunday- or how many people can you get in a Lada?

We had a busy Sunday in Dnepropetroesk today with the team. Garry drove some of us to church and the rest rode in Victor's van to Morningstar. Maxime, who worked on the barn "tent" is going to do some welding for us in the next week, came along for the day. He seemed to enjoy singing the praise songs in Russian (he did not know any English three weeks ago when he arrived to build the barn) Some of the team greeted familiar faces from previous trips to Ukraine.
After church we packed everyone in the LADA -two trips downtown with up to 8 people! There was a problem getting to Puzata Hata (Ukraianian style buffet) as some of the streets were blocked off to celebrate Victory day, but found each other and the food. We had more than we could eat, borsch, salads, cabbage rolls and cherry vereniki were among the choices made by team members. Everyone now knows why it's translated "the big belly"
We then walked past the crowds celebrating the 65th anniversary of the end of WWII and through the art market, along the river walk, and over to the circus, where we enjoyed the show- everything from acrobats to monkeys, trick riding and a couple of very funny clowns. Afterwards we walked over to MOCT center (a very modern mall) for a little window shopping and McDonald's (both of Seth and Jonah's favorite restaurants in one day- and the circus their favorite entertainment)
Then we headed back in Victor's van- except Garry and Maxime- they found the car we had left parked on a side street and bought some welding rods for Monday. It's a holiday here but not for the team. We plan to be hard at work until Thursday. Check out how that goes in tommorow's report.

Touring Zaporosia

Today the "tent guys" were busy before 7 am this morning putting up the first end of the barn. Garry was busy watering the garden as it had not rained overnight, in spite of thunder rumbling at times.
Around 10:30 Victor drove us to see the sights, we went to see the old oak tree, where some of us dressed up in Cossack costume to get our photos on the horse statue, stopped at an old Mennonite school still in use as a Ukrainian school, and walked around a graveyard that has some old Mennonite gravestones where Mike's ancestors were buried.
We enjoyed a great lunch featuring salad, borsch and vereniki (or perogies) before taking a river cruise tour, where some of us got a little wet when it rained, and even talked with our fellow passengers- the lady with the kids had a sister in Canada and her son was thrilled with a gift of Smarties from the Canadians. We finished our tour with coffee, a walk down the main street to the Lenin statue, and then went back to the restaurant by the oak tree for supper- slad, chicken, and mashed potatoes before heading back to the village. It was a relaxing day of touring, and when we got home the barn had everything but doors! Even more exciting was the fact that it had rained in the village, so the garden will not need to be watered in the morning.

More beams are up

The guys were working hard today- they had both of today's beams up by 11 am. They made it up with no problems again,in spite of the wind that was just howling on another summer-like day. We were all out to give them a hand as they pushed and pulled them up. Cathy and Karen were in charge of dinner today. After lunch they started on the floor of the haymow. You can see Jake up there.
The ladies went to Metro to find some groceries for the next week while the guys worked on the floor and got their load of concrete poured when it finally arrived at 3 pm. It looked like we might get a storm with some badly needed rain, but it did not make it here. Saturday will be a day for touring, and we have a full agenda planned for Sunday after church at Morningstar.

Raising the beam

After a good night's sleep the team was up eating fresh homemade bagels and eggs at 8 am for breakfast. Today's big project for Garry and the guys was raising the first of the beams they built yesterday. They also poured some concrete- the truck was scheduled for 10 am but did not arrive until we were eating at 12:20. The guys got up as soon as lunch was over to put the cement down and float it. It was a dry load (the truck had been stopped in a police road check) so there was quick work to try to get it right. After a break, they successfully raised the first beam. It was rather dramatic, but its up and no one was hurt. Remember we are asking for prayers for safety as the work is happening here and thank God for answering all those prayers!

They're here!

It's true- after a marathon 32 or 34? hours of flying, waiting and riding, the Steinbach EEFC team has arrived. They got to the village about 10:30 am (local time) toured the work site, had a bit of brunch, the guys went out and worked until 1, had a little dinner and went out again. They are nailing together the beams. The ladies decided to try a little nap after washing up the dishes. Some have emailed and some will later. Everyone will feel better after a good night's sleep tonight. As you can see in the photo the guys from Kersum have started putting the canvas cover on- it makes a great shade as it is 25 c. today!

How big is it?

I hear that some followers are wondering how big the barn is, after seeing Garry sitting on it. It is 50 feet by 100 feet, but about 30 feet high. That's why the Steinbach team will be helping put the floor in for a haymow about 10 feet up, as well as building the milk house (the BC team built the trusses for it.)
It is designed to hold up to 40 milk cows in tie stalls and pens along one side for young stock. Garry hopes to get some cows in the fall.

May 1 brings in summer-like weather

Yes there are still babies in snowsuits but shorts and shirtless men are appearing here in Ukraine. The team from Steinbach will get here on Wednesday, just in time for 28 degrees. We are waiting for rain to fall on the gardens and fields, but there is none in the forcast. The lilacs are about to bloom, and the winter canola fields have started to bloom this week. Some of the trees are in leaf although there are a few still looking bare, just budding, but the fruit trees are full of blossoms.
Yesterday we when to Zaporosia to check out the museum and fortress historical sites on the island. Victor and his kids Denis and Dasha came with us and we had a good time in the sunshine.