CONSTRUCTION APPRENTICE CONCRETE FINISHING COMPETITION

A competition was arranged for construction apprentices to test their skills. The date was set for a visit from the Presiding Bishop and his Executive Secretary, Brother Bonnet, and other local Temporal Affairs personnel. Three equal slabs were to be poured by three teams and judged by the instructors.

The work area for mixing concrete was set up under the brick production shed in three equal piles.

The only woman in the program arrived a bit late to join the crew.

Instructions were given and the prizes in the bag, trowels for the winners. Elder Gates in blue and Elder Billings in tan.

Showing the trowel.

The woman apprentice dressed for work with the men.

Water barrels for mixing the concrete.

Push-ups to limber the muscles and get the blood flowing as excitement grows for the start.

Wheel barrow ramps are in place.

Relaxing after the start is postponed so the work will be in progress when the Presiding Bishop and entourage arrive.

Sand and gravel piled and ready to begin.

Waiting.

Traditional dance to let off steam. This the young woman apprentice who danced around in this fashion during the wait for the count down to start.

Pouring the first wheel barrow full of concrete.

The Presiding Bishop, Gary Stevenson and Gary Porter, Executive Secretary and Elder and Sister Renlund in the background.

Visitors observing.

Brother Bonnet, regional Temporal Affairs Director.

President Eustache Ilunga, local Temporal Affairs Director.

More observation. The block in the background has been made by the apprentices. This work area is a block making facility for building the chapels.

Everyone is impressed and happy about the results of the Construction Principles education program, which, in two years will be run by all Congolese, and in five years will be building all the chapels in the Congo.

The first slab to reach near completion. This team finished the slab first, but was not judged the winners of the competition because of the contentious interaction among the workers at times. The program emphasizes harmonious cooperation, virtuous family life, high building standards, and generosity to toward employees when they become successful builders.

Closing in on the finish, beginning to level.

Filling the low spots.

Work stops for a word from the visitors who complimented them, described the vision for future success, and exhorted participants to incorporate into their lives the lofty goals of the building trade into their lives, be square, level, and plumb with the Lord, family, and community.

Greeting every participant.

Cheering them on to success.

Group picture. I had to dash from my truck to take this because we were preparing to depart and to follow the visitors back to town to a morning devotional with missionaries and employees at the Seminary and Institute building.