Friday, 27 February

Today was our final day full day here in Europe. After breakfast we took the train to Vienna, Austria for a day of sight-seeing, shopping, and schnitzel. What started out as a dreary rainy day as we walked to the train station, ended up being a great day in Vienna. It only started to rain when we left the train station for home at 6pm.

One of the great things about spending this final day together and not working was that we could begin debriefing. Our questions included: What do you think God accomplished in and through our team this week? What difference will this make in your life and walk with God? Would you consider going on a trip that wasn't just building or doing something and was focused on witnessing instead? These are some of the questions we discussed. I imagine we will continue processing more info as we travel home over the next 24 hours.

Onething we did agree upon was that it is amazing that we have been able to go on this trip and the other trips our church has been involved in over the past 8 years. To imagine a church our size in the rural northwoods would have teams going each year to different parts of the country and world to serve, to have so many different people go on trips, to see how God has supplied financially, and to see how God has used us to encourage and to build in His kingdom.

Thank you for following us. Tomorrow morning we will deflate our air mattresses, compress our sleeping bags and pillows, and stuff our belongs in our bags for our adventure home. Pray for good health and travel. Praise God for this opportunity to spend time together and make new friends and relationships that will last for eternity.

Now for the final "Why Wylie Question"

Why does Wylier loose air every night?

Thursday, 26 February

Our jobs are finished. We completed the assigned tasks and are amazed at what we got accomplished this week:

1. Cleaned out the sub basement -- Pincer

2. Cleanded out the heating distribution area of a full dumpster worth of stuff and moved other stuff into the Pincer.

3. Tore apart shelving and re-constructed them to the fit in the Pincer

3. Cleaned up and moved boxes and storage stuff from the Gephaz.

4. Built a security wall on the plaza with wheeled swinging entrance. Made from steel framing and OSB boards.

5. Removed all the aluminum decoration on the sides of the stage (24 ft X 18ft) on both sides.

6. Framed in a ceiling for the new classroom behind the stage.

7. Upholstered chairs for the Kavi Shop.

8. Rebuilt benches for the International School basketball team.

9. Rob helped one of the office workers move.

I think that about does it. A lot of work in a short time. Today as we completed our projects and cleaned up our dust and debris we were amazed what God accomplished through us. For lunch Lon and Mary Lou took a break and went shopping to the open market. On their return they stopped for us at the Gyros shop and brought us back lunch. Aaron and Rob ordered the King Kong burger. Last year I wouldn't let Aaron get one and he has let me know it now and then.

Well, today he and Rob got theirs... imagine three big patties, lots of toppings and a roll about 8" around and 4" high. The thing probably weighed in at 1+ pounds. They finished them and didn't require any Pepto or Unicum.

After we cleaned up and started to repack suitcases, we headed off to Brad's house for supper.

Brad left his 9 passenger van here for us. Rob was our driver tonight. One wrong turn took us the wrong way across the river and around town. Thankfully we had a phone and could call Brad for directions to save the day. After supper we got a tour of the Citidella overlooking the city.
That's the pic of the day. As the day comes to a close we are anxious about returning home. Tomorrow we are headed to Vienna, Austria by train for a time of sight-seeing and weinerschnizel.

Thanks again for following our journey as we serve God wherever He calls.

Team Rhino 2009

Wednesday, 25 February

Hooray! We are out of the basement except for getting some tool or extension cord or something needed. We moved upstairs and up scaffolding to work on some other projects like removing decorative aluminum trim, putting up the outside board on the concrete walls for a new classroom ceiling, and getting the security wall finished outside to protect supplies for the refurbishing project. The gals had a special job just for them. They spent the day re-upholstering chairs from the Kavi. The day started off great! After unloading a supply of wood, Brad brought his fameous cinnamon rolls and we just had to take a break and eat them hot. He also told us the story of how God has moved to help refurbish this place with a special gift of over $500,000 by a local Hungarian contractor. And the guy is not even a believer yet! He did have a dream that God spoke to him and told him to have compassion. Brad says the guy's days as a pagan are numbered. How's that for God working to accomplish His mission of spreading the Gospel.

We worked later tonight, until almost 6pm. By the time we got cleaned up, showered, and ready for supper it was 7pm. For an adventure we went out to a crepe' place for polichinka's .... delicious crepes filled with whatever you want.

Only one more day of laboring around this building and creating as much dust and debris as we do finished products. But they are necessary parts of creating an attractive ministry center that speaks well of our God. Thanks for keeping us in your prayers. Everyone is doing well and no more health issues, except for Lon's back that is still bothering him, even though we let him do some light tasks today.

The Why Wyler Question:

Yesterday's answer: He had to get up extra early to buy breakfast stuff with Rob, so he couldn't sleep in like he normally does.

Today's Question: Why does Wyler grab the bakery bag first every morning before we start to eat breakfast?