The Grand Opening

The Good Shepherd's Fold (GSF) Staff Residences are complete! It was a tough going at times and hectic at the end, but the workers and subcontractors pulled through to accomplish a great finished product - to the glory of God. Throughout the process, I learned more about pushing people to achieve quality work while maintaining a good relationship with them.

Here are a few project facts and figures:

• 1-Bedroom Staff Residence
• 400 ft² living area
• 250 50-kg bags of cement used
• 12,118 clay bricks used
• 4.5 kWh solar power
• 2-Bedroom Staff Residence
• 600 ft² living area
• 346 50-kg bags of cement used
• 16,782 clay bricks used
• 7.5 kWh solar power
• 16 workers went through weekly Biblical manhood study
• 1 worker accepted Christ as his Savior

God stretched and grew me during the course of the project, and I believe He did the same for the workers. One way that I saw God move was by the way the workers handled their salaries. At the start of the project, I let the workers know that - for those who were willing - I could put aside a portion of their pay each week as part of a savings scheme. It would be well tracked, with no interest, and they would have access to all of their saved money. Keeping back some of their pay was not mandatory, but I encouraged them to practice saving some of their income instead of spending it as it came. That way, they could plan and have the money for larger expenses and purchases. And save they did! Over the course of the project, 21 workers saved 15.2% of the total payroll. They used their savings for various things, including harvesting their farms, buying new bicycles, paying their kids' school fees, paying their siblings' school fees, paying their own school fees, and supporting campaigns for local political office. One worker even saved his money in order to pay the hospital bills for his new baby!

Here are a some pictures from the project finish:

UltraTec installing the solar water heater

Paddy grinding some terrazzo kitchen countertops  

Plumbers and others hard at work

Robert the carpenter hanging doors

Bukenya the electrician completing his wiring

Kaiga and Muwonge preparing a back verandah for screens

It was encouraging to see the employees rally together to complete the project on time. Once the project was completed, I held an appreciation party for all the workers. We gathered in one of the new houses and Joseph, the foreman, was our esteemed Master of Ceremonies. After an enthusiastic time of singing praise songs, Cody - one of the new homeowners - gave the workers a heartfelt word of thanks. I also thanked them and encouraged them in their work and faith. After that, there was great food and fellowship all round!

Giving each worker a small gift

Cody speaking to the construction workers

The GSF kitchen staff prepared a nice meal for the workers

Several of my workers took the opportunity to stand up and give testimonies. One of the masons, Musa, had an especially powerful testimony. Musa is a Muslim, but he thanked me for going through the Biblical manhood study with them. He said that going through the study made him understand what it means to be a man, which he can use in his life now. Musa added that he had worked for other kinds of managers before, but this time it was different - in a good way. So much so, in fact, that it made him consider switching and becoming a Christian. Praise God for His witness to this man through the construction project.

The whole crew on the front verandah of their work (Musa is pictured far right)

The workers put some of their savings toward buying
the Foreman and me appreciation gifts - live chickens!

Following the appreciation party, we had a grand opening when GSF staff came to tour the new houses. We ended the project in the same fashion that we started it - by dedicating the houses to the Lord.

Foreman Joseph giving GSF staff members a tour

GSF staff, construction workers, and visitors gather together for a prayer of dedication

The 1-Bedroom Residence

The 2-Bedroom Residence

Now that the Staff Residences are complete, I have been seconded to Amazima Ministries International to help with the construction of their new Secondary School as the Assistant Construction Manager. For the next several months, I will assist in quality inspection through the completion of the project. Amazima is a wonderful ministry, and I am honored to be serving with them for the time being!

The Amazima School site

Thank you for your continued partnership and prayer support! Here are a few specific ways that you can be praying for us:

1) Pray for the Lord to continue to work in Musa's heart and life, as well as the other workers.

2) Pray that Daniel would be able to minister to the Contractor employees at Amazima. Also pray that the School project would be completed in time!

3) Pray for Corinne and she seeks to grow the sponsorship programs, in particular the Class 2 Class program.

4) Pray for the baby house as they recently took in a new little baby boy, Kisule! He is doing well so far, but pray for continued growth and strength.