A lot is happening up on Wiesman Drive! Last weekend I visited the site, but we also had Lauren, our college student daughter home with us, so I did not take the time to write an update. There was visible progress with walls getting taller.
I had a brief meeting with some other board members yesterday afternoon, (Sept. 25) and this was a good week for the block work even with the rainy weather. The first priority is getting the cement block for the hallway done. , and I can report that the east wall of the main hallway is nearly complete. The North wall of the North hallway is also at full height.
There is also work starting on the outside walls on the East side of the building. I noticed that there is a start on both the inner and outer blocks there.
This week Mr. Thompson hosted an ACSI meeting at the new facility. This was possible because some work in the renovation project is nearly finished. We made it a priority to have one classroom carpeted, and ceiling tile installed for this meeting. While there are still a number of things to complete there, the progress is exciting. I know that more ceiling tile is going in, and that really gives a finished look to the space.
It is exciting to see the progress. Now, we do still have some financial needs to finish this project well. Please be in prayer asking the Lord to provide. I'll provide some additional information on the financial position soon.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for praying.
Praise the Lord for his goodness to us!
Keith
Friday, September 26, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
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Thursday, September 18, 2008
A Nice Evening
We had a very nice Association meeting on Tuesday night. The only improvement I would have made would have been a better turn out. Those who came seemed excited about where OCA is right now, and where we are headed.
Jeff Bebee prepared a nice slide show of the progress on the building since we started the renovation work last February. It has certainly changed a great deal over these few months, and is becoming a very comfortable looking school building. I have not visited the site since last weekend, but the nice weather should be ideal for putting the block in place.
At the meeting, Paula shared some about what we can expect over the next weeks in construction. She made a great point that it will seem like just cement block work for quite a while, but cement block is really the largest part of the construction of this building.
We currently expect block work on the hall way, which is the storm shelter to continue into the first or second week of October. Then we can set the cement top on those blocks, and pour cement on top to finish the storm shelter. Next, cement block walls will go up, and there are actually two layers of block.
Our current expectation is to have the building finished by about mid - January, with a move shortly after. Now, a lot can happen in that amount of time, and we need some volunteer efforts along the way. Please watch for Radical Renovations and opportunities to volunteer, and come lend a hand when those come about.
Thank you, and keep praying for God's grace and favor on OCA as we establish a new home for our ministry to the Omaha community.
Keith
Jeff Bebee prepared a nice slide show of the progress on the building since we started the renovation work last February. It has certainly changed a great deal over these few months, and is becoming a very comfortable looking school building. I have not visited the site since last weekend, but the nice weather should be ideal for putting the block in place.
At the meeting, Paula shared some about what we can expect over the next weeks in construction. She made a great point that it will seem like just cement block work for quite a while, but cement block is really the largest part of the construction of this building.
We currently expect block work on the hall way, which is the storm shelter to continue into the first or second week of October. Then we can set the cement top on those blocks, and pour cement on top to finish the storm shelter. Next, cement block walls will go up, and there are actually two layers of block.
Our current expectation is to have the building finished by about mid - January, with a move shortly after. Now, a lot can happen in that amount of time, and we need some volunteer efforts along the way. Please watch for Radical Renovations and opportunities to volunteer, and come lend a hand when those come about.
Thank you, and keep praying for God's grace and favor on OCA as we establish a new home for our ministry to the Omaha community.
Keith
Sunday, September 14, 2008
A rainy week
Progress is ongoing, but the rain is not our friend at this stage of the construction. On Saturday afternoon, there was water standing in some places, and heavy clay mud everywhere. It was easy to see why the block layers were not able to work on rainy days. I understand that they did try to work on Friday, but the rain became too heavy. Things get slippery with rain and mud, and it is not a safe place to work.
Never the less, there were some days dry enough, and one section of hallway wall grew a few feet taller. The progress is encouraging, even when it comes a little at a time. The forecast is good for this coming week, so we should see more progress in the next few days. Jeff Bebee has been taking a lot of pictures at the building, and is preparing a slide show for the Association meeting on Tuesday. Hope you can be there!
Saturday there was also a work day, and a few people came and did some clean up in the elementary and middle school space. That is really coming along, nicely!
We have done a financial review and things are looking pretty good. We do still have some needs, both financially and for volunteers. We'll talk more about that Tuesday as well.
God Bless
Keith
Never the less, there were some days dry enough, and one section of hallway wall grew a few feet taller. The progress is encouraging, even when it comes a little at a time. The forecast is good for this coming week, so we should see more progress in the next few days. Jeff Bebee has been taking a lot of pictures at the building, and is preparing a slide show for the Association meeting on Tuesday. Hope you can be there!
Saturday there was also a work day, and a few people came and did some clean up in the elementary and middle school space. That is really coming along, nicely!
We have done a financial review and things are looking pretty good. We do still have some needs, both financially and for volunteers. We'll talk more about that Tuesday as well.
God Bless
Keith
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Leaving Comments
I have had a few people say that they tried to leave comments, but were not able. I have tried from at least three different computers, and it seems to work fine for me. Let me tell you how I have made it work. Perhaps it will help someone.
To leave a comment, just look below any posting, and there should be a place that says "0 Comments" or perhaps some other number if someone else has already commented. That should open a window where you can write a comment, then after writing your comment, you can choose either your Google/Blogger identity if you have a Google account, or you can choose Name/URL if you want to leave your name, or anonymous if you rather.
Once you submit your comment, I will see it is there, and either post it or not depending on the nature of the comment.
Hope you have a great week, and I look forward to seeing many of you at the Association meeting next week, September 16th.
Keith
To leave a comment, just look below any posting, and there should be a place that says "0 Comments" or perhaps some other number if someone else has already commented. That should open a window where you can write a comment, then after writing your comment, you can choose either your Google/Blogger identity if you have a Google account, or you can choose Name/URL if you want to leave your name, or anonymous if you rather.
Once you submit your comment, I will see it is there, and either post it or not depending on the nature of the comment.
Hope you have a great week, and I look forward to seeing many of you at the Association meeting next week, September 16th.
Keith
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
New Photos
Monday afternoon, September 8, I added some new photos to the building slide show on the right side of the screen.
Just wanted to point out that you can double click on the slide shows and they will appear full size on your screen. They are much easier to view in that larger format.
I'll try to add pics every week or so!
Keith
Just wanted to point out that you can double click on the slide shows and they will appear full size on your screen. They are much easier to view in that larger format.
I'll try to add pics every week or so!
Keith
Monday, September 8, 2008
Growing Walls
It is so exciting to see progress at the new location. I stopped there with my family on Saturday during a light sprinkle, and really enjoyed walking through the space that will be the new high school. The progress over the last week was encouraging, and was most evident on the wall of one side of the hallway.
As a reminder, the hallway will be the storm shelter space, and so has extra heavy duty construction. The cement blocks on one side of the hallway are probably about one third of their final height. There is rebar every few inches, and the inside of each cement block is filled with cement. As you walk down the hall, you see the doors standing upright for a number of the classrooms.
Another step completed this week was the installation of some plumbing lines. Some classrooms certainly need running water and drains. These include science labs, family consumer science, and art. Those rooms have sinks and drains planned, and now the drain lines are laid for those rooms.
One of our computer consultants, Phil, was also at the site on Saturday. He was planning the wireless network access points which will be installed there. Thanks, Phil!
We all know that OCA needs to get this move completed, and as quickly as possible. Please continue to pray for the fastest possible completion of this building.
Thank you,
Keith
As a reminder, the hallway will be the storm shelter space, and so has extra heavy duty construction. The cement blocks on one side of the hallway are probably about one third of their final height. There is rebar every few inches, and the inside of each cement block is filled with cement. As you walk down the hall, you see the doors standing upright for a number of the classrooms.
Another step completed this week was the installation of some plumbing lines. Some classrooms certainly need running water and drains. These include science labs, family consumer science, and art. Those rooms have sinks and drains planned, and now the drain lines are laid for those rooms.
One of our computer consultants, Phil, was also at the site on Saturday. He was planning the wireless network access points which will be installed there. Thanks, Phil!
We all know that OCA needs to get this move completed, and as quickly as possible. Please continue to pray for the fastest possible completion of this building.
Thank you,
Keith
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Disclaimers and Exhortation
I appreciate a number of you who read my blog, and comment on it from time to time. It has been a lot of fun to write these comments, and especially fun to hear from my readers.
I should point out that the thoughts in this blog are my own opinions. The school board and administration are not consulted with what I post here, so it is simply my ideas and observations. I provide it to help keep people aware of the progress on our new facility.
Because of recent events, there has been some media coverage of Liberty Christian Center (LCC). I would like to take a moment to clarify that LCC and Omaha Christian Academy are separate organizations. Each has its own leadership, management and objectives. The only relationship is a landlord and tenant. Omaha Christian pays rent to LCC each month.
I should point out that the thoughts in this blog are my own opinions. The school board and administration are not consulted with what I post here, so it is simply my ideas and observations. I provide it to help keep people aware of the progress on our new facility.
Because of recent events, there has been some media coverage of Liberty Christian Center (LCC). I would like to take a moment to clarify that LCC and Omaha Christian Academy are separate organizations. Each has its own leadership, management and objectives. The only relationship is a landlord and tenant. Omaha Christian pays rent to LCC each month.
I recently heard a rumor that we must pay rent to LCC for this entire school year. Throughout this process we have kept LCC informed about our building project, and they have indicated that they will work with us as the Lord provides. As a result, we expect to pay rent only until we move out. If you hear something about the building project, and want to know if it is right, please contact me, and I will look into it, and get back to you.
Today, the truth can be hard to find in our society. Please be like the Bereans, in Acts 17:11. They "...searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so." (NKJV) I urge you to do the same, where ever you go, and what ever you hear, think about it in light of God's unchanging Word.
Keith
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
High Tech, Energy Efficient
Remember the Jetson's? I used to love that cartoon as a child. They would walk into a room, and things just happened automatically. Time to get dressed? A machine brought their clothes, and put them on for each person. It was pretty cool. Well, OCA staff and students will still continue to dress themselves, but when you walk into a classroom, the lights will go on for you, and they will go off by themselves when the room is empty.
When I recently walked through the elementary building. What I noticed most is that the classroom lighting is installed, and I had a pleasant surprise! The lighting is set up on automated switches. With the light switch set properly, the lights turn on when you walk into a room. After a while, the lights in an empty room will turn themselves off. Of course, lights can be turned on and off on command as well. Perhaps I am easily amused by technology, but I think this is both Jetson's cool, and it is energy efficient as well.
As you walk through the building, it is clear that the Step Out team which served at OCA did a nice job of cleaning up the building. While there are still some things to be done before move in, the building is quickly moving toward being ready for move in. Some things yet to be completed are setting the bathroom fixtures, placing the ceiling tiles, and installing carpet, and doors. These are all in the plan, it is just not yet time for those steps. For example, we are told that the ceiling tiles should not be installed until the Heating and Air Conditioning are turned on. The humidity and temperature changes can cause them to change shape, so we plan to install those as late as possible. Also, the carpet installation will be late in the project, so that construction dirt is not a problem on the new carpet.
We also need to complete the data and phone network. Cable has been pulled into all of the elementary classrooms, but the cable needs to be connected to equipment at each end before it will be functional.
This building looks really sharp inside. I am eager for you all to see where our students will be going to school after the move. Now is a time when we simply practice patience and prayer. I also expect there will be opportunity for service at work days at the building. Please be willing to come and help.
OCA families are encouraged to come to the Association meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16th in the Cafeteria space at 56th and L. The Spring meeting should be in the new building!
Thanks for reading!
Keith
When I recently walked through the elementary building. What I noticed most is that the classroom lighting is installed, and I had a pleasant surprise! The lighting is set up on automated switches. With the light switch set properly, the lights turn on when you walk into a room. After a while, the lights in an empty room will turn themselves off. Of course, lights can be turned on and off on command as well. Perhaps I am easily amused by technology, but I think this is both Jetson's cool, and it is energy efficient as well.
As you walk through the building, it is clear that the Step Out team which served at OCA did a nice job of cleaning up the building. While there are still some things to be done before move in, the building is quickly moving toward being ready for move in. Some things yet to be completed are setting the bathroom fixtures, placing the ceiling tiles, and installing carpet, and doors. These are all in the plan, it is just not yet time for those steps. For example, we are told that the ceiling tiles should not be installed until the Heating and Air Conditioning are turned on. The humidity and temperature changes can cause them to change shape, so we plan to install those as late as possible. Also, the carpet installation will be late in the project, so that construction dirt is not a problem on the new carpet.
We also need to complete the data and phone network. Cable has been pulled into all of the elementary classrooms, but the cable needs to be connected to equipment at each end before it will be functional.
This building looks really sharp inside. I am eager for you all to see where our students will be going to school after the move. Now is a time when we simply practice patience and prayer. I also expect there will be opportunity for service at work days at the building. Please be willing to come and help.
OCA families are encouraged to come to the Association meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 16th in the Cafeteria space at 56th and L. The Spring meeting should be in the new building!
Thanks for reading!
Keith
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