The day the trees were cleared

Capt. Faato calling the shots

It's the 6th of November, it's now 8.45pm and I'm as tired as a three-toed sloth after running a marathon. Today was a working bee, and our Deacon Leader Fatoaaga had made it quite clear and given us ample time to make today the date where the men would get together to clear the trees at the back of the church. He mentioned to e that it would begin at 8am, however I didn't arrive until closer to 9am, finding George, Callum on the whipper snipper, Fato mowing away, and Anthony weeding in the front garden. Fato said to tidy up around the grounds until the truck and chainsaws arrived so I joined Anthony and we discussed his 3 month leave trip while weeding away.

Soon more numbers turned up, Jake turned up with a chansaw, and both Fato and Jake gave us a run down on what and how to we were keep safety a priority.

Anthony pulling branches to the pile

The job started, and more numbers joined the ranks with Peter's truck that he kindly lended us, (with Peter and Darren inside) and bigger chainsaws. Once the chainsaws arrived, the falling of trees was rapid. Craig, and Peter were the main players in getting the trees down, then George, Fato, and Jake started cleaning up the branches.

The rest of us, ranging from the youngest boys Jeff and Callum to our eldest soldier Ross, dragged the branches and logs into a pile, and eventually the pile to the truck.

The dark horse for me today was the young buck Callum, this guy worked like a machine and after he left, the boys and I were discussing how intimidating it was to work with someone that works double-time. He gave me timely advice on how to use certain tools and how avoid double or triple handling, and he looked as if he was in his element.

It did cause me to think also that the men at our church needed something like this. Callum won't be quick to put his hand up when looking for someone to lead out in a service, but at doing what we were doing today, he rose above standard.

Callum and Sam moving the larger branches

Quite often we don't get this opportunity, as our evangelical efforts are based around seminars, small group discussions, talks etc. I don't mind this stuff, actually I'm more comfortable with it, but getting the hands dirty, working up a sweat, getting cuts, blisters etc brings a man back to his core creation of arduous work. It's rewarding and it's fun.

All the men enjoyed working, talking, and teaching each other as we carried out the work that needed to be done. The job was hard and we were volunteers working in the hot sun, but together. We had a laugh and socialised both on breaks and during work, and we lunched together.

We didn't finish up until around 5pm, the job is still not yet complete, but it sure is satisfying to see the huge difference of how it was before, and how it is now.

All us men that attended have left our mark on the back of the EL church. We can tell our kids and the future EL members that we were there the day that the trees were cut down so that driveway, gazebo, garden etc could be placed there. It's too bad this isn't as frequent as it was for men in past generations. But I'm sure glad  that we can recreate this environment. Maybe the men at EL should seriously start thinking on how we could continue and maintain this comradare......a possible mission overseas perhaps? Maybe even offering our services on community projects?

The money the EL donated will be going to assist Darrens pastor Friend in Vanuatu, so we're happy to do it for this reason, but surely we can find more.

God bless all the men today, thanks heaps to Fato for giving up a full Sunday to dedicate to the project (and yes I am fully aware you were at Haylees 21st the night before.....and I left before you too). I really enjoyed it. I hope we can do it again sometime.

Shalom,

Dave