From the January-April 2011 Issue
Summer work parties
Andy & Jean Woods
Repainting the kitchenLife at Guessens is never dull. Many jobs can only be done when the students have left us. Last summer, to assist us with several projects, we invited young people to join a work party. We offered to provide board and lodging in return for free labour! First we had a trio of young men from Trinity Baptist Church, Gloucester. In four days they erected a stud wall partition and boarded it. Hey presto! A much needed new linen store. All we had to do was to supply the materials and call in a plasterer and an electrician to complete the job. Oh, and a retired pastor and good friend spent a couple of days painting and building the shelves.
Later in the summer we had a more international group – two Spaniards, an Italian/Brazilian girl and two brothers from a church in Clacton-on-sea. These intrepid souls painted our very large kitchen and an adjoining passage. They also helped with making a new floor for our top bathroom area.
Then we have also had Luis, our ‘long term’ volunteer. He was with us for four months and, as an architect, he made plans of the house as well as helping with other tasks.
Much work was achieved, but I think all would say that they had a lot of fun too. Here is a helper speaking: My brother and I had a great week working at Guessens. We helped repaint the kitchen and lay some flooring, but there was plenty of time to socialise with some new friends as well – three from Spain and one from Northern Ireland. The House Managers were very hospitable hosts and kept us well fed during the week. Each day we shared fellowship during a morning prayer meeting before working on various parts of the centuries-old building. We made good progress on the house and hope that the next group of students will see the difference.
We enjoyed having them and are so grateful for all their hard work. So, a BIG THANK YOU. We would love to hear from anyone, young or old, interested in being involved in similar projects in the future.