Swedes Tackle Work at Village of Hope:
June 3rd, 2011
Swedish Missions Team Arrive at Village of Hope: A hearty welcome awaits the large Setra ISAKSSONS tour bus full of Swedes after a four hour bus trip from southern Sweden to Stockholm followed by an overnight ship trip across the Baltic Sea to Estonia.
This is a well prepared and much awaited event that has happened twice a year over the last eight years.
Great Friendships Have Delveloped Over the Years: Here Hakan Andersson meets once again with Village of Hope co-founder Märt Vähi and staff members Alexander Ivonov and Roman Lunjov. Hakan, who is accompanied also by his wife Ulla, is making such a trip for the 15th consecutive time with his wife only missing one previous time.
Preparation Work Done in Advance: The men in the Village of Hope under the leadership of staff members prepare the foundation work and cement pouring prior to the Swedes arrival.
Work Begins On Family Staff House: This project began already last year with various stages of planning and preparation and will be a four bedroom house for one of the staff members with a family. With staff living on the property it creates a family atmosphere and balanced community avoiding the sense of an institution.
The well prepared Swedes and preparation by the Village of Hope allow all to go immediatly to work, with fixed crews and idividuals knowing exactly what their work for the following days comprises of.
Outside Walls Go Up: Within hours of the work starting the outside walls are erected. These walls have been prefabricated in by volunteer work crews who have dedicated their work during evenings and weekends. Some of the volunteers are also on this same trip while others yet have no even been to the Village of Hope.
24 Hours After Start: The first rafters go up at the start of the second day! The Swedes working together with the Village of Hope staff and men in the program make swift progress. The rafters were built on site with the work beginning on these also beginning just 24 hours before.
Third Day Progress: By the middle of the third day the roof of the Family Staff House is almost boarded in. The best of weather accompanied the progress which in itself help things to go smoothly. The only thing that seemed to irritate the busy construction workers were the uninvited invasion of hungry mosquitos!
Several Projects on the Go: Beside the Family Staff House, Gustav Berg of Vetlanda, Per-Olf Hammar of Nässjö and Stig Stal of Vimmerby, Sweden but the finishing touches, with a front entrance porch on Vasiili’s house. The major part of this house was built by the Swedes during last years visits leaving the porch for this visit. Vasilli who lives in this house guards the main gate of the Village of Hope and is the first building seen upon entrance to the property.
Furnace, Sauna, Shower House: Leif Ottosson of Mantorp looks on as Tomas Johansson, Lars Elofsson and Bertil Andersson all of Aneby, Sweden also work on projects which were build during last missions trips, finishing the entrance and attached wood shed of the building.
Prayer Meeting: This Wednesday night event has proven to be one of the highlights of the week as both visitors and men at the village take time to pray for each other. The one hour prayer meeting fills each participant with graditude as well as concern and care one for another.
Circling Up At Noon: Before going back to work after each noon meal, founder Märt Vähi leads the group to circles up to share testimonies, song and a prayer. This time it is at the “rock” which was old land marker of his grandfathers property which marks the land which today is the Village of Hope. Many men share of how their lives were changed coming to the Village of Hope. Also there is sharing of how meaningful the Swedish visit is to each one. This is very encouraging and gives a great depth of purpose to the whole mission.
In Swedish – “Fika” Time: Very simply translated into English as “Coffee Break!”. This is always a fun time and of course the Swedes love their coffee – and so did all of us! Many baked goods were prepared by those who came as well as friends and family back home in Sweden. “Tack sa mycket!” - “Thank you so much!”.
Work Continues Inside: Though not a whole lot seemed to change the last day on the outside of the building – things were happening inside with rooms being layed out and framed up, ceilings started numerous jobs being finished up for now.
Fifth and Final Day: Things were wrapped up Friday noon before starting back to the ship and trip back to Sweden. The work started will continue by men in the Village of Hope but also members of the team will with others return in the middle of July as well as the end of September to help complete the project.
