Each day the team would arrive at the work site around 8:00 AM after a 20-minute van ride from the Baptiste Mission Center where we stayed in Ouagadouguo. The daily routine was to work at the site until about Noon, break for the afternoon back at the Baptiste Center to escape the hottest part of the day, and then return for an evening work session from about 4:00 – 6:00 PM.

As for the work at the site one of the things that struck us all was the ability of the local people to work so hard all day long with very little rest. Children of all ages also demonstrated their strong work ethic by shoveling gravel, moving hundreds of wheelbarrow loads of dirt and gravel, and carrying and stacking dried mud bricks made by the men. These are a hearty people.
 
This day at the site would yield complete erection of the 20 building support columns that had started the previous day. Over 20 tons of gravel continued to be spread over the building site to serve as a base for the concrete floor that would also start today. The making of the concrete was a back-breaking chore handled by the local men. Sand, gravel, and cement were measured out carefully, then combined and mixed into a large pile on the hard ground. Portions of the pile were then sectioned off so that water could be added to form a spreadable concrete product.  The water that was applied to the mix had been transported in 5-gallon containers via hand carts by the local women from some distance away. Several of the mission team members provided the concrete placement and finishing.

Yesterday and today were the hottest and hardest days of the week so far … what would tomorrow bring? Stay tuned.

Pastor & Kim   Paul & Emily  Tom  
Kristen & Joe    Liz  Pastor Bob