In our last post, we shared that Bart was heading into the tribe to work on getting wood for our house. The trip didn’t go exactly as we had hoped and planned. The chainsaw mill the guys were using to slab lumber didn’t want to keep working and not very many Amdu men were interested in going out to help cut poles or carry them in. By the end of those two weeks, instead of having a big pile of lumber and poles sitting near our house site ready to use, only about half of the needed amount was cut. And of that amount, less than 1/4 of it has been carried to our house site. The rest of it is still sitting out in the jungle! But even in those “setbacks” we saw the Lord at work. Instead of just focusing on the roadblocks to getting the wood, Bart was able to spend more time with the people in our village. We are there not just to build a house, but to build strong relationships with the Amdu people! But we do need a house, so we continue to pray that the process of getting the necessary wood will be accomplished soon.
Here are a few photos to give you an idea of what the process of getting this wood looked like.
Getting the poles to this point takes a lot of work. After cutting down the tree, the bark has to be beaten and then pulled off. Multiply that by a couple hundred poles…
Bart leaves in the morning for another stretch in the tribe. The latest plan is for the house to be liveable for our family by the end of that time. However, with the wood still not being at our house site, things may go slower than we had hoped. Please pray for us as we trust the Lord with the timing of all that has to happen in order for our family to get moved into the Amdu tribe.
We’re so thankful for the skilled men who have worked on our house so far – giving it a good foundation. We don’t have to worry that in a few years it will look like this house in our village!
Stay tuned for more news and photos!
Robert E. Shrecengost says
All the prayers for this project have been graciously answered by our wonderful God. New life (Micah) and now the move to the primitive life to learn so that you can translate and the Amdu’s can learn of eternal Life in Jesus . Praise God. In His Wonderful timing and Grace All is possible.
In prayer always for your protection and faithfulness
bob shrecengost
Daniel & Elizabeth Moore says
Wow! It brought the memories flooding back! So encouraged to see how you are training the guys.
We know how intense these days are and pray the Lord will help you both to abide in Him in the midst of the busy days.
It WILL be worth it all!!! Can you imagine the unsurpassable joy it will be when these guys you are working alongside now, come to believe in Christ!!!!!!
Psalm 121. Read and be encouraged!
Praying for you all,
Love Daniel, Elizabeth and family
Portia says
This is the ultimate in Lincoln Log construction!
Jean Beerbower says
Hello to the Allens..God bless you as you travel on this journey..So glad your house is now in the planning stages…will be so nice to have your own house…Hope the kids are doing ok so nice to hear from you from time to time…Take care and keep the faith.
Karen Selfridge says
I am amazed at your pictures and am wondering how we take so much for granted here at “home”….it is not hard to run to Lowe’s or the hardware store, or call a friend with a truck to haul what is needed…even with potholes on our roads..nothing is like the “trails” you must haul your wood in on. Praying for you and the needs you have and asking God to help me not to take so much for granted here but in all things give thanks. Praying for safety for all of you and a completed house for your family.
Rich McCracken says
These pictures make me so much more thankful for the Lowes store! Chain saws are interesting subjects! How do they sharpen the chain? I bet getting the mixed gas and oil is not easy. That is real hard, hard, manual labor! Praying for you guys! Thanks for the updates so we will know how and what to prayer for.
larry & nancy allen says
Dear Family: So good to get your update. We have been praying for this time of saying goodbye again. Never easy. We trust you will have a safe trip, Bart. Did your friend/friends arrive from the States to help? Praying that the Amdu guys will be willing to work with you and you will know how to reward them.
Love,
Mom and Dad
Terri Nelson says
wow, at least Josh knows how to cut and haul wood… praying all goes safe and well.
Betty Draper says
Love the pictures…will pray for safety for Bart and you Emily as you parent alone for a while. It will be worth it though when the the house if finished.