The process of building a church abroad is unpredictable and a little delightful. An undertaking in a foreign context will by its very nature offer a different set of challenges than one could be expected to foresee. In construction, professionals are expected to generate schedules based on prior experience and other public information resources. I could never have known that the finishing of the Fushe Kruja church would take so long; and we aren’t done yet. At a pace like this, the completion of any and every phase is something to celebrate, marvel at, and spend time admiring.
The fence around the children’s play area is completed except for the gate. The concrete flat work is done. Yesterday the electricians were running the wire for the exterior lighting and other systems. Inside the walls are painted, the light fixtures are mostly mounted, the windows and doors have all been installed; there are railings in place in the stairwell and on the balconies. One benefit to moving at a semi-hourly-siesta-like-pace is that the Plagenhoefs have had ample time to critique every finish both before and after it has been installed. This church will be most q.c.ed in Eastern Europe.
For my last two months in Albania I will be in Fushe Kruja one day a week, and I will be working at the International Church the other four days. It would be really nice to celebrate a service in our new church before I come home.
albaniacalling 