I just finished writing our prayer letter (the snail-mail version), and realized how difficult it is to squeeze all that’s happening onto one sheet of paper! But I have more space here, so I’ll add to what I just wrote!
First, we got free advertising lately! A journalist from the town’s magazine came to interview Norman at our gallery/outreach center. We got pictures and a nice write-up about what we’re doing on the 2nd page of the magazine! Customers are coming to visit!
In addition to that, Norman had originally hoped to sell coffee at the gallery, but due to a problem with the landlord who helped put in the bathroom, the layout didn’t work out as planned. However, Norman worked hard to have an inspector come see what it would take, then followed her directions to add an additional sink and a wall to separate the kitchen area from the bathroom entrance. She should be coming back tomorrow (3/9) to give her stamp of approval. Once that’s in place, we can begin charging for coffee, giving the gallery a cafe’ sort of feel. Norman’s friend Mr. Takeshita, who’s in the coffee bean business, encouraged him to also sell coffee beans or freshly ground coffee since there is no other store in Kikuchi that sells it. March is the month to get this up and running!
Secondly, our front yard is under construction as I write this! Also in the plans for some time, is the goal to have our “barn” (which came with the property) usable for outreach, bigger gatherings, and larger groups, including GRIT. In order to clean out the extra storage stuff inside the barn, we plan to build onto the front of the building, creating a kitchen and bathroom/shower space. It won’t be big, but it will mean that the barn will be fully functional. Earlier this year, we finished the “cabin” attached to the side of the barn. However, without a bathroom nearby, it was less than ideal. Amanda Gray is currently living in our cabin, and I’m sure she’ll enjoy not having to run outside, across the driveway, to use our bathroom in the house.
Front of our house – trench is beneath dirt!
The barn…and the rough-up plan of the new shower/bathroom area in front of it
All that to say, today the men came to dig a trench from our existing septic tank to the barn. This included removing a large old stump and deep roots that were in the way, as well as some large boulders. Homeschool was delayed as we all watched them dig with the small backhoe. The one downer of the day was when Melodie saw them take the big rocks she had named and played on and bury them beneath the ground where they wouldn’t be in the way of the porch we hope to build in the future. A sad good-bye to “Mt. Everest.”
The former home of “Mt. Everest” 🙁
The barn — with the roughed-out plan before it — and the cabin beyond
Norman and whoever is healthy around here (two of us have had the flu) will be putting up walls as quick as they can, so the plumbers can return to finish hooking up the water. After that, Norman can work on a floor of some kind and move the appliances (that we already have!) from the barn into their new places. He is still searching for a good shower insert to use in a price we can afford.
Can we really squeeze a shower into this teensy space?!
Thirdly, we feel honored to be missionaries. Stuff happens to us that “normal” people probably haven’t experienced. This week, one of our supporting churches (Faith Baptist in Carroll, IA) sent our children a care package. Why? Just because they’re missionary kids! How awesome is that? It touched my heart when they told us they prayed over each child individually. So we had “Christmas in March” at our home!
Getting the package!
Opening the many layers…
The best part in Chloe’s opinion!
Fourthly, our new part-time teammate is here! Amanda Gray arrived March 2nd, and jumped right in to help since I was down with the flu. Our co-worker Sue Hahn took her around on Monday to get some paperwork finished, like setting up a bank account, getting registered as living here, etc. That always takes several hours! Then Amanda joined Sue’s English class and was able to give her testimony. Way to go, Amanda!