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Work Begins on the 2009 Gliwice Build
Europe » Poland » Silesian » Gliwice
August 17th 2009 by Team2Build, 2009 TBW Team, Poland
Our team arrived bright and eager Monday morning to begin the work we traveled 5,000+ miles to do. After an important safety and security briefing, we met with the site supervisor, Damian, to receive our work assignments.
This year's work will include pouring cement floors in each of the flats (apartments) and building the interior block walls according to the new owners' floorplans.
We mixed cement, carried blocks, and distributed supplies for all 19 members to begin work. We worked side by side with several of the family members who were accruing their "sweat equity" hours required by the Habitat contract.
We learned how to work in subteams and to rotate tasks to avoid muscle overuse and learn new skills. No job or task is too menial. From picking up trash around the worksite to shoveling sand into the cement mixer to walking to the local markets to purchase lunch supplies to transporting wheelbarrows of cement to the finishing specialists and the wall builders---all work is bardzo (very) important to the overall effort.
First Day Impressions & Memories:
We're doing God's work -- working on His construction company. No one can do great things. Only God can do great things. All of us can do little things with great love. - Bruce (Wisconsin)
The best part of the trip so far was seeing Tomasz and Ivana in their soon-to-be home -- big smiles -- very proud! It's great knowing I had a small part in making that happen along with my hard-working colleagues!! - Fred (Minnesota)
Get 'er done!
AHHH--The back muscle! Where's the Ibuprofen? Take me!
Break time!
Wyborowa! (Kazimierz' favorite vodka!) Zabrowka! (Damian's favorite vodka!)
Sam's t-shirt: "Almost Good!"
You have to be a mime artist when communicating. Say "How do I get to the train station?" and add "Choo-Choo" with a hand motion pulling the whistle -- and you'll get pointed in the right direction.
"I'm so glad I could meet them all in Gliwice. They are very special, valuable people for our Habitat community. Personally, it gives me a lot of positive energy to see all these wonderful team members work with enthusiasm. No matter the weather, problems with communicating in Polish :) or searing muscles. Thank You!" -- Anna Czyz, National GV Coordinator, HFH Poland.
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August 19th 2009 - Debi Brace: Terri/Chuck - Do you remember?
Do you remember me trying to buy a bottle of the vodka with the grass in it? The buffalo vodka? Adding horns to my head and snorting and scrapping - more like a bull! She finally just had me go behind the counter and grab it myself. That was HILARIOUS!!!!!
August 19th 2009 - Diane Braun: Familiar faces
So nice to see some familiar faces back again in Poland. Hi Lissa, Kathy, Bruce, Terri & Chuck! Looks like they are smaller lighter cement blocks to carry this year :)
August 20th 2009 - Anna Czyz: Article in local newspaper
Hi guys, I am sure you would like to know that the article in the local newspaper was already published, including Terri', Chuck's and Andrea's quotations. It's very positive, I like it a lot. Fred is on the photo. You can read it at http://miasta.gazeta.pl/katowice/1,35063,6940246,Amerykanie_wola_urlop_na_budowie_od_plazy.html.
Right now it is shown on the main page of Gazeta.pl - the newspapers on-line portal, visited by millions of Poles every day!
August 20th 2009 - Michał: Last day
I'm now back home from my last day and while watching your pictures I'm so happy I could get to know You:)
August 20th 2009 - Michał Hebda:
notice that Bobby is always smiled:) I liked to say :"what's up Bobby", and then see his smile:)
August 20th 2009 - KATHY MILLER:
What a wonderful picture of God's disciples getting the task done with the help of so many great people. GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND I AM SURE THAT YOUR JOURNEY AND MEMORIES WILL STAY IN YOUR LIFE AND HEART FOREVER. LOVE, FORMER MEMBER WHO ALMOST MADE IT WITH YOU ALL ..
Michal - Our whole team is so glad you could work with us this week and we could know you better! If you can, please join us at the BBQ celebration on Saturday. Hope to see you again in the future. Do zobaczenia! -- Terri & Chuck
We're so glad we could finally meet you, Anna, and we're hoping to see you again next year somewhere in Poland! Thanks for the link to the newspaper article! -- Terri & Chuck
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Part of trip: 2009 TBW Team, Poland
8 Comments - Add Public Comment or Send Private Message
August 19th 2009 - Debi Brace: Terri/Chuck - Do you remember?
Do you remember me trying to buy a bottle of the vodka with the grass in it? The buffalo vodka? Adding horns to my head and snorting and scrapping - more like a bull! She finally just had me go behind the counter and grab it myself. That was HILARIOUS!!!!!
August 19th 2009 - Diane Braun: Familiar faces
So nice to see some familiar faces back again in Poland. Hi Lissa, Kathy, Bruce, Terri & Chuck! Looks like they are smaller lighter cement blocks to carry this year :)
August 20th 2009 - Anna Czyz: Article in local newspaper
Hi guys, I am sure you would like to know that the article in the local newspaper was already published, including Terri', Chuck's and Andrea's quotations. It's very positive, I like it a lot. Fred is on the photo. You can read it at http://miasta.gazeta.pl/katowice/1,35063,6940246,Amerykanie_wola_urlop_na_budowie_od_plazy.html.
Right now it is shown on the main page of Gazeta.pl - the newspapers on-line portal, visited by millions of Poles every day!
August 20th 2009 - Michał: Last day
I'm now back home from my last day and while watching your pictures I'm so happy I could get to know You:)
August 20th 2009 - Michał Hebda:
notice that Bobby is always smiled:) I liked to say :"what's up Bobby", and then see his smile:)
August 20th 2009 - KATHY MILLER:
What a wonderful picture of God's disciples getting the task done with the help of so many great people. GOD BLESS YOU ALL AND I AM SURE THAT YOUR JOURNEY AND MEMORIES WILL STAY IN YOUR LIFE AND HEART FOREVER. LOVE, FORMER MEMBER WHO ALMOST MADE IT WITH YOU ALL ..
Michal - Our whole team is so glad you could work with us this week and we could know you better! If you can, please join us at the BBQ celebration on Saturday. Hope to see you again in the future. Do zobaczenia! -- Terri & Chuck
We're so glad we could finally meet you, Anna, and we're hoping to see you again next year somewhere in Poland! Thanks for the link to the newspaper article! -- Terri & Chuck
All Comments
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