Building Prep: Gathering the pieces

Mason helping to unload our tin roofing.

Well, we've been in Madang for two weeks now. Our house is feeling a bit more settled (except for the 'junk room' which contains all of our unpacked boxes). Nate has been planning the house structure, buying materials, and working on furniture. Elizabeth has been settling in, homeschooling the boys (Noah began 1st grade this week), and helping with plans. The boys have been reconnecting with their friends, exploring the center, and helping dad in the shop.

With only three weeks to go before Nate and Mason hike into Pal to prepare the house sites, we have shifted into high gear. We are finding suppliers for flooring, plumbing, and paint. We have just purchased the metal roofing and some of the plywood for our walls.

You can definitely be praying for us in this time - if we forget something (hinges? screws? nails? silicone?) we will not be able to just run down to the store to pick it up. Also there have been some hiccups along the way - just yesterday, a we had to refuse some lumber - we had ordered pine (think *not heavy* because we pay by weight when we fly things into Pal) but what came was mixed hardwoods (much heavier). This mix-up necessitates an overnight trip to straighten things out with the lumber company (7 hours away). With time and money already short, we are asking the Lord for grace in the face of stretching circumstances.

On the bright side - God has been faithfully supplying what we need one step at a time. This month, special gifts of $1800 came from various sources which allowed us to buy the roofing. We also have all of the lumber necessary for our furniture building, a 2000 gallon water tank, and our solar electric system. God definitely has shown Himself faithful.

Well, we have so much more to write, but we'll save it for another post. Thanks so very much for your partnership!
Nate for the Pal team.

This weeks prayer requests brought to you in quote form - may the Lord direct your prayers as you read these snippets from our lives:

-"This is your *big boy* underwear, Elias. Now, please tell Mommy or Daddy when you need to go potty, OK?" (Potty training begins...)
-"You would like a ride to Bunabun? Isn't that 2 hours up the road?" (Mugumum asks for a free ride)
-"Tim, you have to stand back when Daddy is running the table saw."
-"Uh, I thought *pine* was yellow not dark red." (we didn't unload the truck)
-"Mi laik wanpela kwot long sapim dispela sida." (How much will it cost for you to plane my rough-cut cedar?)
-"I'm not sure if the caterpillar will enjoy a ride in your pocket, Tim."
-"Training? Awww, who needs it, I'm sure I'll be able to hike 45km over the mountains and back without training. Besides, it takes a whole extra 45 minutes that I could be working on house stuff." (Nate AND Mason have taken this philosophy...please pray for them! - side note from Elizabeth ;D)