Patience, it is something that I thought I had. I am learning I have a great deal of improvement left.
The past week were have been trying to install the second set of solar panels at a worksite. On Saturday we completed the structure. Monday we arrived at the worksite, planning to install the solar panels on the roof of the security building. When we arrived, we unloaded the vehicle and setup everything for the installation. When Donovan and I climb up the scaffolding to get onto the roof we realize that the Liberian work crew that build the building did not finish the roof... (While Donovan and I are climbing down the scaffolding, it begins to fall. I jump off, and luckily the scaffolding stops. The Liberians that setup the scaffolding did not put any support under the feet, to keep them from digging into the sand. They also failed to notify anyone that the scaffolding was not able to be used....) So! After talking to appropriate personel we packed up and planned to come back on Thursday. So this morning we packed everything up, again, and headed to install the panels. After arriving we realized that the work crew moved our scaffolding, so we moved the scaffolding and before we unloaded the supplies we climbed up to verify that they did finish the roof.... and thank goodness we did! The crew had done a very poor job, to say the least. The sides of the roof were hardly finished and the area where the panel supports were to be mounted was very rough, (this would compromise the structural integrity of our panel supports). So we headed home again. Hopeful that the next time we arrive the roof will be completed! (Note: the security buildings are made of 100% concrete. The roof is a "bowl shaped roof" so the "floor" of the roof must be waterproofed, this step, waterproofing, is the step that was either not completed or done poorly.)
What I am beginning to realize is that I cannot have a set agenda. I pray that the Lord will help me keep my patience, or increase it! I will have 24ish months of working with Liberians, I hope that either I can enstill some ideals in them, with the help of the Lord, or I will be able to simply brush occurrences, like the previous, of as simple ignorance...
Thank you for reading!
_M
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Sunday April 17, 2011
To All,
I first off would like to apologize for the length of time between posts. I hope that some one has had enough faith in me to keep checking in, I promise to keep up with posting in the future! I just have trouble coming up with things to write about. If you know me at all you know I am not a huge "writer," lol. I plan to try to get over this, so if some of my posts include selfish rambling or just obscure facts, please excuse them.. (:
It has been so long since my last post, I am not sure what to write about, lol. I guess I can start with, there is a new Shank in the household! Haydon James was brought home last Wednesday. He and mommy are doing very well. He is a precious child! (he is definitely taking after his uncle Matt hehe). It has been interesting to watch the youngest one's, Faithe and Gaylon, reactions to the new arrival. Lately Faithe has been herself, but when Haydon first came home she was very bummed because she really wanted a little sister.. lol. Gaylon has been fun to watch ever since Haydon has come home. The transition from youngest to second youngest has seemed to have a little bit of an affect on him. He is starting to realize he doesn't get the attention from his mommy like he used to, lol. In other news the other kids have been their hyper active selves.
I am starting to get acclimated to the climate, I have been able to work outside longer and more often. The other day Brendon and I worked all day installing the first of three sets of solar panels at a worksite (pictures to come). I also had quite an experience two weeks ago. I was sent out in the "bush" to inspect three sets of solar panels and vaccine fridges that were not working properly. This trip consisted of about 600 miles of travel, 300 of which was on dirt roads (more so trails through the jungle). I was away for a total of four days and three nights. During these four days I had several unique encounters, including taking a shower in the middle of a field, eating some rice, chicken feet, and ver very hot peppers drenched in oil. The over all experience, however, was very beneficial. I learned a lot about Liberian customs and being immersed in the local "english dialect" was very helpful.
That has been the extent of "exciting happenings" around here. Brendon, Donovan, and I have been working on finishing up the solar panel installations for a job that Brendon had started a few weeks before we arrived here. Once that job is done we hope that the contract is finalized and signed so that we can make some headway on the preliminary work for those jobs.
Hope all is well back in the States, I miss everyone and think of you all a lot.
"Matthew 22:35-40"
_M
I first off would like to apologize for the length of time between posts. I hope that some one has had enough faith in me to keep checking in, I promise to keep up with posting in the future! I just have trouble coming up with things to write about. If you know me at all you know I am not a huge "writer," lol. I plan to try to get over this, so if some of my posts include selfish rambling or just obscure facts, please excuse them.. (:
It has been so long since my last post, I am not sure what to write about, lol. I guess I can start with, there is a new Shank in the household! Haydon James was brought home last Wednesday. He and mommy are doing very well. He is a precious child! (he is definitely taking after his uncle Matt hehe). It has been interesting to watch the youngest one's, Faithe and Gaylon, reactions to the new arrival. Lately Faithe has been herself, but when Haydon first came home she was very bummed because she really wanted a little sister.. lol. Gaylon has been fun to watch ever since Haydon has come home. The transition from youngest to second youngest has seemed to have a little bit of an affect on him. He is starting to realize he doesn't get the attention from his mommy like he used to, lol. In other news the other kids have been their hyper active selves.
I am starting to get acclimated to the climate, I have been able to work outside longer and more often. The other day Brendon and I worked all day installing the first of three sets of solar panels at a worksite (pictures to come). I also had quite an experience two weeks ago. I was sent out in the "bush" to inspect three sets of solar panels and vaccine fridges that were not working properly. This trip consisted of about 600 miles of travel, 300 of which was on dirt roads (more so trails through the jungle). I was away for a total of four days and three nights. During these four days I had several unique encounters, including taking a shower in the middle of a field, eating some rice, chicken feet, and ver very hot peppers drenched in oil. The over all experience, however, was very beneficial. I learned a lot about Liberian customs and being immersed in the local "english dialect" was very helpful.
That has been the extent of "exciting happenings" around here. Brendon, Donovan, and I have been working on finishing up the solar panel installations for a job that Brendon had started a few weeks before we arrived here. Once that job is done we hope that the contract is finalized and signed so that we can make some headway on the preliminary work for those jobs.
Hope all is well back in the States, I miss everyone and think of you all a lot.
"Matthew 22:35-40"
_M
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