Building Progress

In a highly orchestrated effort led by AMI cofounder Daniel Bacchiocchi, the necessary preparations were made for the base of AMI’s Multipurpose Building. The building will be 120 feet long and because the site slopes–creating a five-foot drop–a retaining wall and a significant amount of sand were required. After being delayed three weeks by “Snow-maggedon” (see article from January 30), the AMI crew met on site Monday, February 9, to discuss a new challenge: warmer temperatures. Formerly frozen clay soil had become a slippery layer of mud lying in wait for an unsuspecting dump truck. It was determined that a gravel access roadway would need to be laid to reach the building site. The sand brigade would go forward! February 10, 7:30 a.m.: the 12-member, volunteer crew arrived: (5) Dump Trucks 2--owned by AMI, operated by AMI cofounder Pastor Ron Kelly and a contractor 2--owned and operated by Keiser Excavating, volunteered at no cost 1--truck lent by Sam Dronen’s Construction Company, operated by AMI cofounder John Dronen (1) Front-End Loader – owned by AMI and operated by a contractor (1) Dozer – owned by AMI and operated by AMI media director David Kelly (2) Skid Steer Compactors – one owned by AMI and operated by a volunteer and one provided and operated by a contractor (1) Mini Dozer – operated by cofounder Daniel Bacchiocchi and by another contractor when Daniel was running the other machinery as a flex operator (1) Site Coordinator – directing incoming trucks (12) Walkie-Talkies – purchased by AMI and all 12 were in use! (1) Video & Media photographer – AMI intern Kara Shepard Despite the extra effort required to snowplow their long driveway and yards, the local gravel yard generously agreed to open for two days specifically for AMI’s use. First, 127 tons of gravel were transported from the gravel yard to the site to create the access road. Then 1,541 tons of sand were hauled in–one dump truck arriving after another–until 4:30pm. From 4:30pm until dark, the site was leveled and compacted. February 11, 7:30 a.m., day two: Another 1,183 tons of sand were hauled to the site, totaling 160 dump-truck loads over two days. The combined total reached 2,724 tons or 2,095 cubic yards of sand. That is enough sand to fill two-thirds of an Olympic-sized swimming pool–or three average-sized, three-bedroom homes! (watch the video report on YouTube @pastor-ronkelly) After the sand brigade was underway, AMI once again realized God’s perfect timing. The county weighmaster announced that local “Frost Laws” would go into effect on February 16. These laws make it illegal to drive heavy equipment on roadways during the period when frost is coming out of the ground, in an attempt to prevent potholes. Had the sand brigade been delayed another week, the dump trucks would have been forced to wait two months until the Frost Laws expired. AMI would also have missed its construction window with the Amish crew. God knew! AMI now has a wonderfully leveled piece of land with proper drainage in place for pole-barn construction. The Amish crew is scheduled to arrive at the end of this month. Thank you for continuing to pray for favorable weather. It would be a blessing if there were no wind, heavy snowfall, or mud to hinder their work. And thank you to all the volunteers who lent equipment and participated in the sand brigade! Kara Shepard joined the AMI staff this week as a Media Intern. About to graduate from Andrews University with a degree in Digital Media, Kara also holds degrees in Math and Physics. This is not surprising when you consider that her mom teaches Economics and Finance at Andrews University and her dad is a retired Eli Lilly research biologist. Growing up, Kara and her family participated in mission trips with the Cicero SDA Church in Indiana. She was also heavily involved in Pathfinders. Most recently, she served as Director of Communications for The Center for Youth Evangelism, where she supported the International Pathfinder Camporee by designing a new website, producing the newsletter, creating a ticketed registration system, and assisting with event media. In her personal time, Kara enjoys photography, videography, and drawing/painting. She will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy the first two this year! Her internship began this week–in feels-like temperatures of 12°F–as she photographed and filmed the sand brigade. Kara majored in Digital Media for the express purpose of spreading the Gospel. She sought out AMI for this internship, desiring to contribute to the mission of the ministry. She readily agreed to the internship requirements, which include: “Will do whatever is needed: from cleaning toilets to shoveling snow.” AMI is grateful to add a team member with Kara’s level of missionary zeal. We welcome her as AMI’s very first intern! Pray for the soybeans! The farmer who planted on the property purchased last fall was unable to harvest the soybeans before snowfall. Approximately 30 acres of soybeans remain standing in fields now owned by AMI. Pray that the beans will still have value and bring in enough funds to purchase a small, old-fashioned combine. Such equipment would be ideal for teaching farming and mechanical skills to academy students while also being useful for harvesting small grain crops. God has provided in ways similar in the past. Let’s pray!

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