A place of wonder

Did you know that dog tastes pretty good if you just eat it like chicken and don’t think about it? (I’m sorry Toby, I love you and would never eat you.)

Phase II Project Greenhouse
The assignment: A self sustaining greenhouse that can function through a harsh winter with no external heat.
Time: One Week on site, two months in home work
Team: Civil/Structural Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Agricultural Engineers, Architects, and Documentarist in the making.
Ages: 17 to the wonderful age of wisdom…
Place: On a farm in Northern C*hina, in the beautiful middle of everywhere

Phase I of this project began last fall with a preliminary work project trip. The team’s week was spent scoping out local materials, building practices, and greenhouse methods. Research was done on thermal mass and other ways to store heat from the sun. Back in the US, a rough idea of a greenhouse kit was put together and pieces were ordered for two greenhouses. The farmer then built and used them over the winter.

Phase II of the greenhouse project was to collect data, layout the as-built, and make changes. This included installing a sweet solar fan (which I lugged from the States and got a few raised eyebrows), collecting temperature readings, and installing ground insulation. As part of the structural team, I drew up the greenhouse layout on AutoCad, plan and elevation. Then the professional engineer and I took apart the design and are still in the process of making it better. The back wall will now be made using adobe, the truss structure is under construction, and the plastic cover is to be changed.

On the farm, we took measurements and pictures, lots of them. The awesome godly family we stayed with is from the states. They produce a lot of their own products, including milk and eggs, so if we weren’t working we were eating. :)

I learned many lessons and my eyes and heart were opened in many ways. The best was seeing engineering, Dad, and a culture that’s so much a part of me come together. It was real and tangible, I have the drawings to prove it! Never would I have thought Dad would put that dream together, but then again, in eternity perspective, I seem to dream too little. This is big and I finally understand what is meant to call upon Him for a country, wow what a job! But Dad is infinite, how dare I doubt him!

I shall forever have a picture of our last night together as a team in that place of wonder. On the wood floor was an outline in string of the country where the greenhouses will go someday. The lights were dimmed and we sang as we lit the candles and placed them in key cities around the country. The farmer’s little girls tried to sit as still as possible, understanding the solemnity of the night. Then, as a team, we stepped inside the string marked boundaries and lifted the people up to Him.

I don’t believe doing such things makes change but heart felt love does. And as we stood there together, I knew Dad’s power and learned to dream……big.