Last week was an exciting time for our students, including four new recruits who are working along with the boys, and will begin first-year classes in February of 2010. A dozen trusses, made from timber milled on the school's own sawmill, were triumphantly carried from the assembly area and hauled into place with much cheering and giving of instructions by everyone!
Most of the roof has been paid for and the merchant is willing to provide the whole roof and trust us to bring the balance of payment soon. We have louvre frames and glass on hand and a supply of doors.
There are still a number of items needed before we can finish the building, but we are certainly a lot closer to the end than the beginning. We are planning to resume classes in February of 2010 - less than four months away.
A kind supporter has offered to pay freight on a container of goods, so we are planning a quick trip back to Australia Dec/Jan to fill the container and send it on its way.
So excitement is mounting among our students as they see the end of the building stage in view and a continuation of their training with a government approved certificate at the end thereof, an incentive to move forward.
I'll be sending a few pics and video clips to our web-master, so you may find them on our website in the next little while.
The roof will be going on next week, on one wing. The rain is an answer to prayer to fill our drinking water tank, but it's holding up milling of timber for trusses. We should have one wing of the building locked up within a few weeks.
Among the goods coming in the container will be a 37kva generator for 3 phase power, kindly donated by one of our ardent supporters. Also one of the 20 wood working vices needed, has been provided by another kind benefactor.
A number of sewing machines will also be coming - we may be able to have sewing classes at night next year.
This email was begun a week ago. Now we have the roofing iron on one of the three sections of our 'Y' shaped building, and louvres and doors are being fitted, ready to lock up. Once that is done, we can move out of our house on Aore, and store our things at the new site. Alastair still has to finish off this house that we've lived in for 9 years - he has to build some wardrobes, line the interior walls and paint, do some plumbing for the bathroom and kitchen upstairs etc.
But the main focus is on the new building. The milling boys have had a down week as a villager where they are milling timber, died, so out of respect, there had to be a forced period of rest. We are anxious to get the timber to complete the rest of the trusses and roof the whole building. We covet your prayers for continued progress with the building.
We'll send pics of the building in a couple of weeks' time, to our web master - so then you'll be able to see the progress that has been made.
Thankyou for being interested in our school and for your prayers. If you are impressed by the Lord to help in a particular area, then it's certain that God's promises will be fulfilled. Proverbs 19:17 He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the LORD; and that which he hath given will he pay him again.
God bless you all,
Alastair and Jill
Listair Advent Training Institute
