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Hulling the old way...

a typical Landuma kitchen hulling rice the hard way still hulling rice the hard way and still hulling

The hulling machine...

front view of the hulling machine side view of the hulling machine the engine for the hulling machine the complete hulling machine

Starting the building project...

the building site - pre-construction locally cut lumber for the building filling the foundation one pan full of dirt at a time even the kids help our rice powered cement mixer this batch is ready our cement truck pouring the floor we're making progress putting up door frames starting the walls don't forget that spot

Meanwhile...

the Africa L.I.F.T. team goes through pre-field orientation and gets travel immunizations - Ouch!

Here comes the Africa L.I.F.T. team!

have we got everyone's luggage? we're ready to go hurry up and wait! landing in Conakry bus #2 supper at the mission's guest home changing money into the local currency driving out of Conakry the following morning nearing our destination at last so good to see you Carol... Amy and Papa meeting the man who started it all all the luggage made it through what a trip!

It's off to work we go...

day 1 Dennis lays blocks Kari fills mortar joints teamwork break time rest in peace, Daniel ... but only until break's over! Phil and Dennis go back to work so do Kirsten and Yolanda Hannah, Kari, and Erin are working hard too ... or, well, what are they doing anyway? Jim, the foreman, works all the time Mike helps put in the window frames Cindy, Colton, and Susan ... what a team! Phil and Connie, another outstanding team! break time again I didn't do it! did someone call for a ladder? the walls are getting taller don't cry John, it's not that crooked the pastor's working??? I gotta get this on video! be sure to get enough water while working in this heat! after only 3 days the walls are up

After three days of hard work the team takes a well deserved break and goes to town ...

a local hardware store ... yep, this is the whole store the open air market now a museum, once a dungeon for confining slaves to be sent to the Americas yes, Daniel, this IS something to cry about the taxi ride home was just a little dusty ... Dennis, did you dye you hair ... or is that really just dust???

Of course there's lots happening off the job site too ...

the Kleven kids have to keep up with their school work Hannah turns sweet 16 ... her first warm weather birthday the missionary kids love having the Kleven kids to play games with Pastor Mike, can I help write your daily email updates? laundry is done by hand ... literally we eat an authentic African meal, cooked by African women ... African style Jim continues to teach both his evening Bible study and literacy classes the team has their own daily study time as well the driver ants invade the kitchen and of course no trip to Africa would be complete without seeing a termite nest

Building relationships - the real purpose of this trip ...

with the village children with the women with the men with the chief with the grandchildren with Carol's village mom with the missionaries with the missionaries' kids

Hannah, the kid magnet ...

John turned out to be a bit if a kid magnet too ...

OK, back to work. We've got a roof to put on here ...

Dennis and John start with a top plate photo time the rafters come next lookin good ... but my, this wood is hard Susan and the Rogers boys fetch the tin ... so John and Salifu can nail it down Phil helps Salifu cut wood for a door Phil and Susan colaborate on building a step stool Dennis tightens a drill bit

And finally the machine is moved in and installed ...

the hulling machine arrives admidst much cheering by the villagers the women dance for joy ... and dance ... and dance some more the motor is lifted onto the rails ... and mounted mounting the belts ... and tightening them installed and ready to go

Thank you everyone for a job well done.