The Skill Set is Increasing

It has been awhile since I wrote on this blog. The reasons are numerous. Last week we had two meetings is New York - both were in sweet, country churches that were excited about what God has called us to in Cleveland. This past Saturday and Sunday a supporting church had us in for an update and for a fun harvest party. They always make things special for our children and the marshmallow fight was a highlight again this year!

The house projects continue to stretch our skills and teach us alot about remodeling. Ken tackled the basement ceiling that had been soaked from a leak in the bathtub prior to our purchasing the house. Installing drywall overhead is definately challenging! He did a great job and only if you inspect closely would you know that the section had been replaced.

The most challenging job was attempted yesterday. Before we purchased the house we planned to install a wood-burning fireplace insert. Not only to improve the efficiency of the fireplace but also to conserve on heating costs since we are ministering in a long-winter area. We searched online for months to see what our best options would be. While in Michigan for a recent meeting we talked to someone about a wood-burning furnace. Ken's brother-in-law also had recently installed one in his house. We investigated and discovered that our basement was set up nicely for a supplementary wood-burning furnace. We gathered the necessary materials, including a stainless steel chimney flue insert. We, by God's grace, safely slid the 400 lb. furnace down the basement stairs and put it in position. Yesterday, Ken crawled out onto the roof and prepared to insert the 6 inch diameter stainless flue liner. He quickly discovered that the terra cotta liner had shifted and would not let the 30 foot, corrugated, supposedly flexible, tube down the chimney. We had hired a HVAC guy to remove the old gas lines that were next to the new furnace and he was present when the big silver snake rolled off the roof. I thought that Ken had rolled off the roof and ran out calling, "Ken, Ken!" Bill, the HVAC guy, was at his van and dryly said, "He didn't fall off the roof." Bill finished his work and made an appointment to come back another day to clean the furnace. He left and while Ken was considering options and checking things out in the basement he realized that the pilot had gone out on the water heater since Bill had re-lit it after turning the gas back on. Ken called Bill and Bill said that he'd be back after he finished the job he had gone to. He returned later that afternoon and re-lit the pilot and decided that Ken really needed help with the chimney flue liner. He stayed till after 8pm guiding Ken through the process of holding the terra cotta out of the way, shaping the tube so that it would slide down the flue easier, and knocking out a 2 1/2' x 3' hole in the basement wall so that they could grab the tube and attach it at the bottom. Bill worked at cleaning the furnace while Ken was doing parts of the project that he could do alone. After they had the liner in place and all Ken needed to do was fix the basement wall the next day, Bill packed up his tools and Ken asked what we owed him. He said that all we owed him was the cost of the cleaning! We gave him that amount plus a generous tip and were so grateful for his help.

We are amazed at another neat provision from our Heavenly Father of help, wisdom, and supplies! This week on craigslist there was a carpet warehouse that was clearing out. Any roll of various lengths was $50. We had gotten estimates to carpet the basement as high as $1500. Ken and I went and there were only a few rolls left that were long enough to do our basement. The one that we chose is a nice commercial carpet. We are so excited! Natalie, our teammate, also found three rolls that will work in their house.

We praise the Lord that the Taylors finally have heat in their house. Their inspected furnace failed the first time they turned it on. It was weeks of getting estimates and trying to be good stewards of their resources. Yesterday the installer got the furnace running and will work at installing duct-work as time allows.

The most exciting update to add to this blog is that for the past two Wednesday nights we have gotten together as a team for a meal, devotions, and prayer. These are the first official meetings of the Cleveland church plant. It is sweet to see the children praying for their new friends and neighbors to come to Christ. We hope to be able to invite others to this weekly get together as we make contacts.

Ken had contacted a bicycle messenger company last November and let them know why we were coming to Cleveland. In June he filled out an application for the job and they told him that when he moved to the city to give them a call. They were pretty positive about him getting the position. When Ken called they said, "call next Wednesday." Ken did and he was given the runaround. His emails have not been returned either. We know that God knows exactly what is best for us. He knows our needs and knows how we will best get to know the city and make contacts with people. Ken applied for another bike courier position on Tuesday of this week. And he has put out an application at UPS. We'll see what happens.

Getting There

Last Monday was my 39th birthday. I was a little retrospective and had a desire for a little adventure. My goal was to ride the bus to the Westside Market and hopefully have a chance to present the gospel to someone. I prepared my purse with a New Testament and tracts. The bus schedule didn't fit with the kids' school pick-up schedule so I drove instead. The Market is an amazing place! English is a second language for many of the vendors. As you walk past their booths they are hawking their goods in loud voices. It was a cacophony for the senses with smells of produce and fresh meats, crowds pushing on every side, vendors with every accent shouting, all colors of the rainbow in the goods being sold, and samples of foods from every part of the globe available to taste. I was sad to have to leave to pick up the kids without having an opportunity to talk one-on-one with anyone.

Kelly asked to spend some time in Cedarville with friends for her upcoming birthday. We headed down Wednesday after school. We were able to visit many friends in the short time that we were there. Thursday night Ken's dad, sister, and nephew brought Ken home from Michigan. We thought they might enjoy the Market. On their way back to Michigan on Friday morning we took them there. It was a little overwhelming for them too at first. Coy bought bananas from the first guy who hollered to him. They headed home with bags of bacon, apples, grapes, and other neat treasures from Cleveland's Westside Market. I was encouraged on this second visit that people actually initiated conversations with me! I was interviewed in the parking lot by a reporter for the Wall Street Journal. He was polite as we told him about our hopes for starting a downtown church. And a little later a vendor who was selling cucumbers to us told us in broken english all about the meaning of the cross he was wearing on his necklace. It is so exciting to see God at work!

Saturday, Jeff Coward and two college students from his Sunday school class in the Columbus area came and helped us get our garage in shape. They scraped, painted, and repaired rotten drywall. It is really nice in there now and ready for winter. Jeff is a good friend who went to high school and college with us. His wife, Susan, was my college roommate. It was great to see him again.

On Saturday night Ken did a benefit auction for Bill Taylor's school. They raised more than $10,000 for the school!