building awana play area 23Aug2012 part one

AWANA program at church!!  Well not exactly Awana but patterned after it.  Sort of like it.  Our version.  

Pastor Moussa, Christian, Christophe, Atiyodi and Tchaa working together have made up a program for the youth at Tchandida.  Two hours in the afternoon of the first and fourth Sunday of each month will be divided between Bible memorization, game time, message from the Bible and some treats.

Laying out a play area, between the church and Sunday school buildings, it was decided that this tree had to go.  My son Shane (24 hour tree service) allowing that 5000 miles was out side of his service area was not called and the tree went African style.

Everyone helps in what ever way they are able and the work goes forward.  While the men start on the tree removal.....

...the children carry buckets of sand and stone.

Digging out the roots disturbed what might have been a lunchtime snack had we some fire. Instead, he became a doggy treat.

Dig, shovel, cut, chop, pick, chop, dig, cut......

this is going to take a while

tote, carry, fetch, Manpower is the greatest commodity available in Togo and it accomplishes the most.

Modern tool is one that is machine made in the last 150 years.  Most are made as they were 1000 years ago.

Having had his treat and tired of all the goings on, our guard dog/mascot/ possible lunch, naps.

Oh.  Here is real lunch.  This was a treat prepared by one of the church women.  Kinda of like a steak fry dipped in hot fish sauce.  Actually quite good. (Have not found something I will not eat, yet)

Went for a little walk to enjoy the neighborhood.  

We are well below ground level and still cutting roots.  This is a really efficient way to take a tree down and not have a "stump removal" problem.

With little warning and no call of "timber"  it is on the ground.

As the tree is reduced to manageable size pieces, it is hauled away by a professional crew.

love their work ethic.

No stump grinding and an easy back fill.

One of the hardest working of our crew.  Every time I interact with the men and women of our village I am impressed by how hard they toil.  Atiyodi is not only a hard working young man, he is very intelligent and a leader of men.  Probably the most active worker in all aspects of the ministry at Tchandida.

As the tree disappears, work is directed once again to the play area.  This picture was taken from where the tree stood, looking back toward the church.