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Construction – Day 2

September 5, 2008 Greg Traverso Uncategorized

Hello fellow workers,

.

I’ve found a window of internet opportunity here, and I’m doing my best to keep you updated on the big dig. What that means in practical terms, given the serious imitations of time and talent, is that I’m going to post photos as often as I can, with not a lot of my lunatic ramblings to confuse things. So, in essence, everyone wins.

.

Here’s day two in a twenty one nutshells.

.

The beginning of day two on the Three Gorges Dam construction site. The beginning of day two on the Three Gorges Dam construction site.
img_5434.jpg
A mobile breakfast. A mobile breakfast.
Entrenched in the work. Entrenched in the work.
img_5444.jpg
Gilbert has become a very persnickety measurer. Perfect. Gilbert has become a very persnickety measurer. Perfect.
And Isaiah, keeps a continuous watch on the 23\" width we need. And Isaiah, keeps a continuous watch on the 23\" width we need.
The view from our field office. The view from our field office.
The first and last photo of this fellow. He hadn\'t done this kind of work before and, by mutual consent, took a powder after lunch. The first and last photo of this fellow. He hadn\'t done this kind of work before and, by mutual consent, took a powder after lunch.
Our crack team of sled dogs, in training foor the next Ididerod race. Our crack team of sled dogs, in training foor the next Ididerod race.
The Lawrence of Arabia suite The Lawrence of Arabia suite
You can see here, in addition to a tough pair of feet, that the soil doesn\'t act like dirt. It breaks up into very hard clods, more rock-like than anything. You can see here, in addition to a tough pair of feet, that the soil doesn\'t act like dirt. It breaks up into very hard clods, more rock-like than anything.
Don\'t let the bad mojo stare fool you. He is a very good guy and a fine worker. Don\'t let the bad mojo stare fool you. He is a very good guy and a fine worker.
img_5466.jpg
Gilbert. Making sure. Gilbert. Making sure.
Someone without a shovel. Someone without a shovel.
img_5477.jpg
img_5481.jpg
Either the trenches are getting a lot deeper, Either the trenches are getting a lot deeper,
or the guys are getting a lot smaller. or the guys are getting a lot smaller.
This brownish dirt in the middle of the pile is murram. This is the level we need to get to in all of the trenches before we can pour the foundation footings. This brownish dirt in the middle of the pile is murram. This is the level we need to get to in all of the trenches before we can pour the foundation footings.

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See you tomorrow. 8:00am sharp. Bring your mattock.

.

David

Comments(16)

  1. Chris says
    September 5, 2008 at 4:44 am

    I look forward, indeed, to bringing my mattock, David. Alas, I won’t make tomorrow’s (tonight’s?) wake-up call.

  2. Karen Gherardi says
    September 5, 2008 at 7:59 am

    David,
    Thanks so much for your updates. I appreciate your efforts and the photos tell the story.
    Karen

  3. marjo says
    September 5, 2008 at 6:37 pm

    Dear Dave,
    It is so exciting to see the beginnings of buildings. Thank you for the update.
    Marjo

  4. Chris says
    September 5, 2008 at 9:34 pm

    That call to the mattock is really sticking with me. I know we can support the orphanage with our prayers and financial contributions. What else am I forgetting that I could do from here?

  5. Ed (Edson) says
    September 5, 2008 at 9:34 pm

    Progress, Progress!! Aesop would agree that plodding is winning.
    I wish I could be there, albiet with my sissy feet encased in shoes.

  6. Greg Traverso says
    September 6, 2008 at 12:33 am

    How sweet it is. Great work David. Your brother in the fight and in life, Greg

  7. Matt and Jody Madion says
    September 6, 2008 at 6:25 pm

    David and Crew,
    It’s so exciting to see the progress! We missed the summer updates and are amazed by what you have accomplished in the past few months.
    We continue to pray for you. This is truly the work of God.
    Matt and Jody Madion

  8. david says
    September 6, 2008 at 10:37 pm

    Chris,

    We’ll postpone your wake-up call until Jan.(?) when we are both here. But if you remember us in your intentions when you wake until then, your mattock will be fruitfully replaced. To answer your other question, there is serious work going on now to send a 40′ container here with equipment, stuff for Mary, etc. You, and all, can contact Greg and through him Pat, to pitch in there. But, in our deep hearts we know, you and I, that prayer is the diesel that keeps this small engine chugging along.

    Thanks to you and Debi for your beautiful blog,

    http://redegggallery.blogspot.com

    and your work with Red Egg Gallery.

    Sending and receiving love from Kenya, brother,

    David

  9. david says
    September 6, 2008 at 10:40 pm

    Hi Karen,

    Thanks. It’s very good to know that you are keeping up with the progress and the small daily insanities that mark our work here. We need the company and the prayers.

    Love to you and Luigi and the boys,

    David

  10. david says
    September 6, 2008 at 10:42 pm

    Hi Marjo,

    Thanks for your encouragement and your work. Nothing like a few holes in the ground to pick up our spirits!

    For the kids,

    David

  11. david says
    September 6, 2008 at 10:46 pm

    Hellooo Ed!

    When, not if, you come here, you’ll have to bring plenty of shoes to protect your size 14’s. You can’t get ’em that big here. They don’t allow it. And bring a pair for Aesop, too. I’ve got a forked jembay for him to swing.

    By the way, Greg has heard from both Kiel and Autumn about helping. What a family.

    Your brother in arms,

    David

  12. david says
    September 6, 2008 at 10:49 pm

    Hey Greg,

    Yes, we’ve waited for this for a very long time. I think back to our talks in early ’06 and so much else since then, especially your tireless work from Rivertown. God bless you, my dear brother.

    Yours,

    David

  13. david says
    September 6, 2008 at 10:51 pm

    Dear Matt and Jody,

    Thanks for the kind words, and for the perspective. Usually, being in the middle of things everyday here, it feels like the snails are whizzing past us. Good to step back and take a better angle.

    Many thanks for your prayers,

    David

  14. Chris says
    September 7, 2008 at 3:58 am

    Hey Greg — and Pat — when you check in here next, fill me/us in on the 40′ container shipment. And how to best connect. Debi and I will be around San Jose for about three more weeks before we take off. If I don’t hear from you *here,* in a couple days, I’ll look for your email and/or call.

    Chris

  15. Ed (Edson) says
    September 7, 2008 at 8:08 am

    Ditto on the container. What is needed?

  16. Chris says
    September 8, 2008 at 10:54 am

    Hi Ed,

    It’s nice to hear your voice again — even if disembodied on a comment here! Hearing your voice brings alot of affection right up for me.

    Many, many blessings, friend…

    Chris (Lorenc)

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