Site with construction trailer
Inside of construction trailer
It's great to have a washer and dryer provided. A close line was also provided.
Every morning we gather together at 9:30 and have snacks (provided by the congregation) and a devotion (everyone takes a turn giving the devotion). We have "AA (Attitude Adjustment)" around 4:00 every afternoon and on Thursday or Friday night we go out and eat together. Most Saturday's the congregation also provides lunch.
May 19
A cold front blew in over the weekend and when the project started this morning it was 32, wind-chill of 25, and light sleet and snow. 
May 20
Work days are Tuesday-Saturday from 7am-4pm. Some church members come out during the week to assist, but Saturday is the big "church volunteer" day.
May 21
May 22
May 23
About 23 church volunteers came to work and help in a variety of ways. By the end of the day the pressed board and Tyvek had been put on all three sides. Amazing progress for a week of work!
May 26
Work on the interior walls
LCEF sign arrived and prepared to be displayed by two church members.
May 27
May 28
May 29
May 31
At worship the Laborers that had arrived were "commissioned". Three others will arrive soon.
June 2
June 3
I happened to see an Amish farmer pass by the construction site. He's moving a piece of farm equipment with 3 draft horses. The car tow-dolly in front provides an interesting contrast.
June 4
June 5
Trusses being delivered
Trusses literally rolled off the truck
June 6
Everything is starting to green up
June 7
All the laborers have arrived
June 8
Trusses being raised
Storm on the way
Pea size hail
Work continued after storm passed
June 9
Praying? Maybe, but also talking with guys in the lift in the above picture
June 10
Church members and other volunteer help out in a variety of ways
Supports for carport
Unloading metal roof boxes
June 11
June 12
Volunteers having a good time building the church
June 13
June 16
June 17
June 18
This is what you call teamwork
June 19
June 20
June 23
June 24
Much different than the way concrete work is done in the south
June 25
Taping the windows
Installing the windows
June 26
Amish horse and buggy going down the road next to the building site
June 30
Working on the lights
Working on the window trim
Working on siding and installing lights
July 1
Sanctuary
Bathrooms
July 2
Doors Arrive
July 3
Work continues on the sanctuary
July 7
July 8
July 9
July 10
July 11
Many volunteers helped with the siding
Lunch was provided by Bethlehem's sister congregation St John
July 13
The stain glass star was set. The "Bethlehem" star was designed as the logo for Bethlehem Lutheran
July 15
More work continues on the outside and inside
July 17
Works continues in the front left of the sanctuary
Ramp on left side of altar
Lights being installed in the sanctuary
Work on the outside continues
July 21
Preparing car port posts for metal covering
Entry doors installed
July 23
One of the laborers working in our small garden
Farm next to the project site chopping hay and blowing in silo
Soybean field next to project site
July 25
Metal work on carport and cross on sanctuary window completed
July 28
Siding on west side completed
Foam insulation being installed
July 29
Remainder of door frames arrived
August 2
August 12
Ceiling Insulation in Classroom
Ceiling Insulation in Sanctuary
HVAC work continues
August 14
One truck of drywall delivered
August 15
HVAC work continues
Vapor barrier being installed in preparation for drywall
August 18
Old manure spreader is being used as a dumpster for the sheet rock scrap. A member of the congregation will spread the sheet rock on his field.
August 21
August 22
August 25
August 26
North side finished
August 29
Sheet rock work completed
Work on east side of the church
September 1
September 2
September 3
East side
September 5
September 9
September 10
September 15
Clothes line
Scrap wood truck
Recyle and garbage trailer
September 16
Ceiling tile being delivered
September 17
September 19
Covering sanctuary floor in preparation for paint spraying
Work on room in balcony
Electrical work
Tile in men's bathroom
Sink in women's bathroom
We departed the project on Monday, September 21. Two other laborers will remain for a week or so. The remaining work will be completed by members of the congregation. Dedication is planned for Sunday, October 18. It was such a blessing to be in Milan and assist Bethlehem Lutheran Church build their new facility. We look forward to returning to see the completed project.
