Learning to trust: even if it takes longer

Today, a team from the Lukas congregation in Berlin was on board – they stuck on insulation, removed rust from the anchor locker and rudder box, sawed wood, painted… in short, they got a lot done. Yesterday, Anne and Friedrich lent a hand, so that with combined efforts the drinking water tank could be hoisted into place. And last week, a team of men from Treptow insulated the bilge in the seminar room – and took the tank off board to the boat manufacturer to have it shortened and re-welded. 

We also removed the rust from the roof and sanded it down, laid the flooring in the seminar room, painted the lids for the waste water tanks, and did a thousand other little jobs.

I am incredibly grateful for the help provided by one-off volunteers, but also from the loyal souls and strong supporters who regularly help out for a few or many hours – and also that we can pass on tasks – such as welding stainless steel, for which we lack the expertise and tools – to the boat manufacturer.

Despite all the support, it looks like it will be a while yet before the boat is ready for use. I had hoped and prayed that we would be finished by my birthday on 24 April. It is almost certain that this will not be the case. For one thing, it’s down to the many delays caused by a previous boat builder failing to do the work properly or, in some places, doing a slapdash job, meaning we had to redo the work in many places where a coat of paint had simply been sprayed over the rust, which then flaked off again. Which was quite frustrating and took a lot of time – at least four, probably more like six weeks.

On the other hand, because it’s only natural that many tasks build on one another. And one thing has to fit into the next. So we had to order the composting toilet first, so that we could take precise measurements for the foundation, which we had to weld in place.  Then the water tank had to be reduced in size and welded, as it has to go in first before the toilet, which sits partly on top of it, can be installed. To do this, it had to be taken off the boat. That was only possible with six strong men. Then it had to be put back in (five were enough for that). Then the steel foundation for the toilet had to be welded, then painted… then the large composting toilet unit can go into the boat – provided we have six people again who can carry it in together….As the conditions aren’t always in place – such as having six porters on hand – some things take a bit longer.

I’m very grateful… and a bit impatient… I’d love to be further along… and I do worry sometimes… so far, only one woman and a team of helpers have signed up for April – but not until the end of April…and I actually still need one or more carpenters and plumbers, electricians, ventilation engineers… and plenty of people to lend a hand with removing rust from the exterior and painting…

I want to keep trusting. Day by day.