These are some pictures of the things we did the last few days. We started digging the first children's home foundation on Wednesday. This picture is of us digging the footings. The soil was very hard and very dry. Luckily we have a laser level, otherwise it would be very hard to know if we were digging too shallow or deep.

This is a picture of us unwinding after a long day's work. This board game is called Ticket to Ride, one of our new

favorite games. You can see Amber in the picture. She is Louis's wife. She has made our trip an awesome experience. She makes us lunch and supper while doing any laundry we need. Without her, it would not be the same. She has been a huge blessing to our team.

This is another picture of the first children's home foundation. As you can see, progress is slow and work is hard. You will see some pictures of the finished product on a later post.

After we were done with the first foundation, we burnt the empty bags of cement powder. Unfortunately, Micah's shirt was hidden underneath the pile of bags. He will try to tell you it caught fire because he was working so fast, but that wasn't the case. You can see Kendrick in the background. He is a local boy who volunteers his time working for Louis and Brian.

This is another picture of us relaxing at night. We are playing a board game with Brilliant and DJ. We have learned a lot about the local culture from these two great guys. The bond we have created with them will be on of our best experiences from this trip.

August 11th

Wiped out tonight! We dug out the footings for a second foundation today. The plan is to build Louis and Brian' houses, then two children's houses, then a mission team house. In time they will have 10 children's homes built with 60 orphans. The digging took all day, after we spent an hour filling the brick molds. Dusty spent the day in bed fighting sinus problems, but is up and feeling better now. After a hard day at work we went to Brian's house and had chili and corn muffins. We're going to call it a night early. We haven't had much of a break the last few days, but we are happy with the progress. We didn't come here for vacation. We are blessed to be the Lord's hands and feet.

August 10th

Today was the final and last day of pouring the foundation. Yesterday we put in 14 hours, from 6am t0 7:30pm hauling as fast as we could! We had rock and sand delivered a few days ago, and we rented 3 mixers for the cement. Yesterday morning when we started a mixer broke down. We rented a 4th mixer, and that one soon broke after an hour or so. Only using 2 mixers, we completed the job in about 20 hours all together. We poured about 35 cubic yards of cement. The mix was about 40 shovels full of rock, 32 of sand, 11 of cement, and water. Add all that up, and that's a lot of back pain. A bobcat took the loads from the mixers around the foundation, but a lot of manhandling was needed. We finished two-thirds of it yesterday, and finished it up today. It got pretty cold last night, getting to 27 degrees, and our hoses froze up. While we finished up cleaning everything up, we burned the cement bags. Low and behold, Micah left his shirt in the pile.Dusty and Micah are spending the night with Bridge and DJ to watch over the property, to make sure nothing gets stolen. (All the tools and supplies are out there, even though it has a wall around it.)

Tonight we went to an "American" restaurant called Mustang. For 17 people buying steaks, Eisben (what looked like a whole little pig on my plate), and burgers, it cost us under 700 rand, or under 100 dollars. It was really good too! Brilliant and DJ ate with us, each getting a breakfast steak. Louis told me that Brilliant only eats meat once a week, thats all he can afford. So we sent all the extra meat with the two of them. Brilliant's father got hit in a car accident, so he provides for the whole family.

Let me update you on our Sunday! We went to the township for service, and it was a very baptist like atmosphere. The preacher gave you goosebumps just raising her voice and putting every once of energy into her sermon! During the offering, the collection was given to Louis for the orphanage, and he teared up a bit. I felt humbled to see these people with a huge heart for Christ, with how small they lived on. It really reminded me of the lady giving two denari: that out of there poverty, they gave a lot. I hope and pray that God continues to humble us. I'll be sure to update you more thoroughly and more often as we rest and regain our strength. I encourage you to give more out of your own poverty, wealth, or weakness. We are aliens and strangers in this place, and our reward isn't of men, but of Heaven. God bless!

August 7, 2010

Today we took a tour of a local gold mine, which was really cool to see. The drive there may have been the most exciting part. Brian took us. He was running a little late, so we got an early morning tour of the residential streets of Welkom at about 45 mph. The actual mine tour was really interesting. We ate lunch with Brilliant. He is a local South African who knows Louis through a local school outreach. He is an incredible person who is truly seeking the heart of the Father. We were able to ask him all sorts of questions about the culture and life in South Africa. He is planning to go to school to become a nurse, lawyer, or accountant. Brilliant is very intelligent and wise. The Lord has blessed him with a wonderful mind.

Micah's aunt sent a package along with us to give to Brilliant and his sister. We gave those things to Brilliant yesterday. Brilliant was so thankful. This was the best part of our day today.

We finished the afternoon just hanging out downtown. After supper, we had an awesome discussion about faith, the Holy Spirit, and other things that were on our hearts. It was a great experience to sit and pick each others brains with questions we have been thinking about. Thank you all for keeping us in your prayers. God is doing great things is Welkom, South Africa!

August 6th

We prepared for the cement slabs today by leveling out the area. Bryan, the other missionary stationed with Louis and Amber, sent in the building plans for approval last week. Come to find out, every plan submitted 6 months ago were still backed up. This is the South African attitude for getting work done. Miraculously, Bryan nagged and bothered the government just enough to push the plan through pronto! We are looking forward to a 12-16 hour day Monday pouring the cement! We also received deliveries of 160 bags of 50 kg cement, 2 loads of rock, and 2 loads of sand.

August 5th

We woke up at 7 am today, well rested from our travels. To start off, we had some localbreakfast: Popped Rice! With a double your money back guarantee!(We have been finding that South African food quality is poor.) Our devotion this morning will start off our in depth series looking into Matthew 5. The day was spent getting acquainted with the culture. Louis gave us a tour around the city of Welkom and the "Township" which resides on the outskirts of town. During apartheid the black and white populations were separated, in which the poor blacks lived in the townships. We drove to the new building site and discussed the plans for the next two weeks. Louis is waiting for the government to approve the building plans, so we are still waiting for the okay. (I'll talk about the site later, because I've got plenty to share today!)

Now, Welkom was the major catalyst for spreading AIDS. Our trip by the gold-mine revealed a lot. The peak of the gold operations happened in the 1980's in which 200,000 people were employed from all over the country. Quick 9 man houses were erected in rows, wall to wall, about 50 buildings in a row. Airplanes flew daily back and forth between Joburg (slang of Johannesburg) and Welkom. A lady could get a ticket for $5 to do her shopping in the large city. Prostitutes then made their way down each house in the row, making money, and starting the spread of AIDS within the housing sector. When these men went home, they began the spread throughout all of South Africa. Estimates in South Africa indicate that 30% of the population have

AIDS, however the doctors told Louis and Amber that it is close to 50% here. 40,000 workers continue to work in the mine today.

The next stop was at the Children's Cemetery. Kids 3 and under were laid here. Every Friday, the deceased are buried. It isn't uncommon to see 5 or more buried on one day. Most families couldn't afford hedge stones, so bottles and toys lay on the dirt with signs.

For lunch, we went into the township were we met DJ and Bridge. They are young men who help at the orphanage. DJ woke up at 5:30 to prepare the meal. It consisted of:

Pap - an oatmeal/rice dish that is eaten at every meal

Mashed pumpkin

Spiced crushed mango (which was put over the Pap)

Chicken feet and heads (yes! everyone had a little bite!)

After lunch we had a devotion with them and played soccer with the locals in the street. We used bricks separated 2 and half feet for goals.

Tonight we are playing cards and just enjoyed a nice meal that Amber made! (It is not safe to be out in town at night.) It gets dark around 5:30-6:00 as we are reaching the end of winter here.

[Having gifts that differ according to the grace given us, let us use them... Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.] Romans 12: 6, 13

Arrival

We finally arrived to Louis' home in Welkom, South Africa! (Don't worry, Stephen is here: this photo was taken before we met up in Atlanta) It is 10:30 PM here, and just a reminder that South Africa is 7 hours ahead!

Off to Africa!

The guys are all crashed here at the Lutheran Fraternity awaiting our 3 AM departure to the Des Moines Airport. Elisabeth, Sarah, and Miss Alice (Mom AJ) are our beautiful escorts for the morning! The flight will take us to Atlanta, GA followed by an 11 hour layover. Then we have our long awaited 17 hour flight to Johannesburg! Look forward to the grand arrival to South Africa and the photos we'll post! Pray for our safe travels!

Steve Sherman

Steve, an author, is supporting this trip by making a $2 contribution for every book he sells! Check out his website!

http://www.hellandbackbooks.com/home

Trip Date | August 3rd -18th

Just a quick update for everyone! We are completely set for South Africa, mind the packing. Joel talked to the manager at Wal-Mart and received 20 soccer balls, and our friend Amanda Jilek is getting some soccer balls from her old soccer coach! We'll have to make room in every nook and cranny to get them aboard the plane! Louis is sending a suitcase with every guy (as our second bag) to pack other materials to bring for them as a cheaper method than mail.

50 Days!

"Once more the humble will rejoice in the Lord" - Isaiah 29:19

Amen! Four months ago, a mission trip was on our hearts. Where we would go and the work God planned for us was unknown. We struggled with the opportunities shared, mostly on account of funding worries. Flash forward to now, and we surely are humbled men. With high ticket costs to Johannesburg trailing off the World Cup, food, and lodging costs, our mission cost totals $13,627.50.

Thank you for being partners in mission by prayer and donation that has raised $9,200!!!

Please take a moment and praise God! Continue to pray as our hearts prepare for what lays ahead and our safety. You can visit the missionaries' homepage, Louis & Amber O'Tool, at http://www.otoolsa.com/ . We are excited to build the new orphanage and become the hands and feet of our living God to the people of South Africa! You are helping us bring true Hope in Christ, His love and salvation.

"It is a picture of my bride, the Church... She's not the place you go on Sundays... That's not what I came to build. What I see are people and their lives, a living breathing community of all those who love me, not buildings and programs." - The Shack

In Christ,

Stephen Bowers

Joel Pudenz

Ian Moore

Micah Loesch

Dusty Gutzmann

Joe Eisenbacher