Not all Work!

OK, so some of our readers are calling for more information! They're asking, "What have you guys been doing for the last 4 days!" Well, hopefully this update will help!

On Thursday and Friday we put in full days working on cabins near Hotel Malenovice. We are refining the process to get as far as we can before we leave on Friday. At the same time, we're enjoying getting to know our Czech co-workers ... carpenters Tomas and Petr ... and the welding crew! Not to mention the caulkers, log setters, painters, plumbers, and whoever else happens to show up! Its a busy place! You can see a few pictures by clicking HERE ...

Also, you can view some videos of our escapades by clicking on these links - VIDEO 1 ... and ... VIDEO 2.

Friday evening was spent having a wonderful visit and meal with the Ellenwoods in their home in Cesky Tesin. For those who are connected to my facebook page, you know that this family is in the midst of an amazing opportunity! Their son, Noah (15 yrs old) is in the final 20 (10 men and 10 women) of Cesko Slovensko Superstar (the Czech/Slovak version of American Idol). You can view a video of him singing on Saturday night (March 26) ... by clicking HERE!!

This young man has taken a solid stand for his faith, and his family's work as missionaries here in Eastern Europe. What a joy we had being with them on Friday night ... then ... oh, yeah!! ... traveling to Prague on Saturday to see Noah perform LIVE!!! What a blast! Actually you can see us a little on Live Czech TV by CLICKING HERE!! Look for us at about 47 seconds! Chris Ehlert is wearing a bright yellow NEXT t-shirt, and Kyle Stratton is sitting next to him with a camo cap on!

So, our Saturday and Sunday were spent being on live Czech TV, TOURING PRAGUE (click on the link to see video) with some Czech friends of Dave's and getting back to Frydlant nad Ostravici.


We're looking forward to a couple full days of work tomorrow and Tuesday! ... so stay tuned for more!

Couldn't Be Better!

The team arrived!! Hooray!

As I was walking back to the hotel last evening after doing some more "prep work" at the site ... I saw a small station driving past with 3 guys wearing baseball caps inside! My heart leaped for joy! They made it!! After almost 48 hours the guys were finally at their destination! I'm so thankful for the calm and easy-going nature of these 3 guys. They all came with the greatest of attitudes and perspectives through the long travel delays, and we're all certainly glad to be here!

We got them checked in, and settled into our accommodations right away, took a walk down to the site for a look, then hiked back up "the hill" to have supper! The goal was to keep these guys awake until at least 9 0'clock! ... and for the most part, it worked!!

There were some very distinct sounds reverberating through our room last night, and some of us decided that ear plugs were the way to go! But, everyone slept well and woke with great expectations and hopes of a productive day. And it certainly was! We got a great start on trimming the 12 windows in one of the two newly constructed cabins. Our hope is, by Tuesday night next week to have all the windows trimmed! That goal is definitely within reach!

We're especially enjoying working alonside the Czech carpenters, Tomas and Petr. Kyle is already learning some Czech construction terms! Ask him what v vaze means!!!

So, here are a few pictures and a short video of today's adventures ... enjoy! Oh, and for those wanting to know what the accident report looks like ... a few slivers were encountered, one band-aid was used, and legs are just a little sore from the hike up and down the hill. I think everyone will sleep well tonight ... oh, and from the sounds of things, one already is!
































"The guys" ... Jon, Tomas, Kyle, Chris, Petr




You can watch a video of today's activities by clicking on THIS LINK!

Stay tuned!

Waiting ...

Well, my guys were supposed to arrive this afternoon in Krakow ... but ... due to some problems on their departure from Minneapolis to JFK in New York, they were unable to fly across the ocean last night.

After a very long and tiring travel day ... they made it to New York, where the airline put them up in a hotel ... in preparation for their departure tonight to Prague (7:30 PM EDT). So, when its all said and done, they'll have been traveling for over 2 straight days to get here!

Chris, Jon and Kyle will (oh, please!!!) ... arrive in Krakow, Poland on Tuesday afternoon at 1:25 Central European Time. We'll be there with smiling faces and caffeine loaded drinks to make sure they make it to our final destination ... Frydlant nad Ostravici ... and Hotel Malenovice.

As far as my schedule ... well, as most of my "followers" know ... there isn't much moss growing under this "rollin' stone" ... so, today I worked some more on Selah projects, moved all my stuff ... and all the tools, over to the projects at Malenovice, met with the carpenter and talked through the plans, and got settled into our "quarters" at Hotel Malenovice.

Here are a couple pictures of the cabins we'll be working on.





















Our main task will be to trim out all of the windows ... inside and out! There are 12 windows on each cabin, so we're gonna have our work cut out for us ... but I know these guys (and I've really been braggin' them up!!!) ... so I think we'll do pretty well. And, oh ... the weather is supposed to be beautiful all week long!!

Stay tuned!

"Selah-ing" Along

The mountain-side retreat house called Selah in Eastern Czech Republic has been my home since this past Monday. My dear friend and colleague, Mel Ellenwood, invited me to come over ahead of our NEXT International outreach team to help finish up the "rolling to-do/punch-list" of items that are necessary to complete before this facility can be opened for regular use by Josiah Venture staff who desire a place to come and be renewed and refreshed! Anyone who's gone through a building project knows how long it takes for all those little pieces of trim to get put on, so I was glad to come and help Mel for a few days!

At first, being here completely alone was a bit strange ... especially since I usually don't sleep at the site where I'm working. I guess it's happened in the past, but I've most often been with a team. In this case, all of the essential necessities were available at Selah (water, heat, electricty ... and some pretty sweet furnishings, if I might add), so why pay to stay in the town. Mel probably didn't think about it, but having me stay right here insured that he'd get a few more hours work out of me if I didn't have to pack things up and travel down the mountain! He was right!

I've settled into a nice routine ... just in time to move out and go across the valley to stay with our team of guys coming on Monday (March 21). These 3, Chris, Jon and Kyle ... will be traveling to Krakow, Poland from Minneapolis, where they will be met and transported to Frydlant nad Ostravici, Czech Republic. (click on the blue letters to read more about this town! We will be here until March 31, working on the expansion of Josiah Venture's conference center, Hotel Malenovice, which is just across the valley from Selah!

As far as what Mel and I have been doing ... well ... you'll need to check a couple videos!

Click here on SELAH PUNCH LIST to see some of the projects we've been doing.

Click on THIS LINK and you'll see what thing are looking like outside!

Just as a teaser ... here are a few pics from around Selah this morning!




























Please stay tuned for more adventures!!