tank project

Ropes were needed to pull the tank over the last few degrees because the backhoe couldn't quite reach to the top. There were three guys on each rope.
Lifting the tank--the blue tractor was there to keep the tank from rolling down the hill.

The tank is upright--thanks to the rope pullers in the background.

This the whole crew--after a job well done.

BD is on top of the ladder disconnecting the chain and cable. I just sit on the backhoe and watch.

We were able to slide the tank over unto the slab. This tank is for the sprinkler system in the blue building.

Thanks for the comments--they mean alot.

Finished week two

We finished demolishing the trailer house and cleaned up the sight. Steve is leveling the dirt. It was fun removing the frame with no wheels. We used a tractor on each end--the long frame bent so much the center was dragging.

The cleaned site with the burn pile in the background.

Part of the herd of cattle at teen challenge--several new calves.

This part of the country has lots of logging besides the livestock. This machine removes all the branches.

BD is look at the modern "chain saw". We see several log trucks go by the project every day. There is large saw mill about 10 miles to the east.

The ladies have finished making aprons. They do not know what their project will be for next week. One afternoon the ladies did beading for the fun of it.

We attended a local church this morning--fun to visit with the locals. They want to know how cold is it in Minnesota.

My shoulder and knee are getting better. Thanks for the prayers. nlsower

Finished first week 3

If the titles to the posts are confusing, it is because I have to enter the pictures in the reverse order. Sorry about that.

This is the snowy backyard that we left behind when we headed south.

It hasn't been very warm in North Florida. It is 23 degrees this morning. Our project host is concerned that it is too cold for us Minnesotans to be working outside--anything below 50 degrees them is too cold to work outside, but as soon as we started working we shed a couple of layers of clothing--we started out with five.

This is the sign that greeted us in Bonifay, FL. The blue building in the background in the gym and new offices/classroom/chapel--it is not occupied yet, but they are getting close. They have been working on the building for six years--all volunteer help. There is work for you.

The other sign at the enterance. The men are boys--ages 11 to 17 in a military style enviroment.

The present office, classroom, chapel and dining hall.

The staff house for the single men staff. The SOWER men are to put vinyl siding on one end of the house where the garage doors were. That is our second weeks project.

First week completed 2

This is the house that parents stay at when they come to visit and get parenting training. If the parents do not get any training, the boys are most likely to return to their distructive behavior when they finish the 15 month stay at Teen Challenge.

This was the SOWER men's first project--demolish this trailer. It was beyond repair.

The SOWER ladies are starting their project. Sewing aprons for the kitchen staff.

The stuff from the trailer home. Some will will be sold at a yard sale.

The trailer home going down--it only took a little push. Yup, that's me on the tractor. Fun, fun!

first week completed

This is a continuation from the above post. The internet is causing some problems so I have to post things separately Sorry about the mess.

The trailer is flat on the ground. It took about one second to collaspe.

A picture of the three SOWER men and two of the boys at Teen Challenge.
There are about 40 boys here now. They are from all over the country. They are from 11 to 17 years old so there is a school here for them.

What the trailer home looked like at the end of the week.

Sample aprons that the SOWER ladies made during the first week on the project. These new aprons will really be appreciated since the cooks had to share aprons before these new ones.

The message we see each time we drive out of the project.

God Bless you each day--Pray for the Boys, the Staff and the Volunteers.

nlsower

Arrived safely

Hi. Happy New Year. We celebrated New Years Eve by going to a local hamburger joint. Not much atmosphere but good food with "sweet tea".

We arrived in FL last night about 5:30. We were ahead of all the storms. It was about 70 most of the day yesterday. We are staying in a small campground in De Funiak Springs which is about 35 miles from our January project--we can not go to the project until Jan 6th. We will stay here for six nights. The camp manager's brother is a pastor of a church down the road so plan to go to church there tomorrow. His Dad was pastor for many years. He also said God took away his drink and snuff; he praises God every day for that. Yes, we are in the south where everybody talks about their faith. We saw a HUGE tow truck with "Jesus Lives" in BIG letters.

My aches are getting better but still have to watch some movements. I must get busy flushing the water heater of the anti-freeze. It is thundering with a few sprinkles--the storms are going to the north of us.

Continue to pray for us. nlsower

Finally on the road

Hi everyone.

We have had a rather hectic start for this season's SOWER trip. Snow, snow and more snow--I spent too much time blowing snow and not getting everything packed. It took two days to get the snow and ice off the slide outs on the camper plus there was about 20 inches of snow on the roof--next year the camper is going to be in the pole barn before any snow falls. Why not this year you may ask--I don't have the propane line run from the big tank to the pole barn yet. That will be next summer's project.

Sorting out what to take and what to leave home seemed like a never ending task. We thought we must be moving again--hauling tote after tote from Willmar to New London (where camper is parked). I can't believe how much stuff we bring for four months on the road.

To top things off, I went to blow snow one last time on the morning that we were to leave and stepped on some snow in the garage while pushing the snow blower. Slipped and fell on the blower--hit my chest on the shift lever--had to go to the doctor and have it x-rayed--just bruised nothing broken. But am I ever sore.

The roads have been good and truck is working well. We are about half way to Fl. It was misting and 34 degrees much of the afternoon. The ground has been snow covered all the way so far, but it is getting less and less.

Continue to pray for us. B and C