October 24 2021
In a continuing effort between Team Workers Abroad and Christian Missions in Many Lands to give our physical support to missionaries who are in need of maintenance help with their facilities, we were looking into helping The Ezekiel Project School of Evangelistic training with their heating problem. This is not the usual practice of TeamWorkers Abroad to do domestic projects but, we have decided THIS ONE TIME to include this project due to travel bans invoked as a result of the current pandemic.
Organization to help
The Ezekiel project has asked for assistance to see if a small group could come and replace the boilers at the Ezekiel project campus in Michigan. Like any building many issues arise that are caused by design, age, and construction. They are an Assembly-based program whose desire is to put the “go” back into the gospel by reaching people that will never come to a church. They train and equip Christians in evangelism so the gospel can be presented in a clear and simple way. They want to reach the lost where they are, using simple tools to aid in illustrating the good news. They prepare Christians for evangelism through two primary ministries: Evangelism Seminars and the School of Evangelism. For more information about their programs see https://tepse.org/
Issues:
For several years now they’ve had boiler failure issues due to the
age of the boilers and that the two boilers only operate separate wings of the buildings and are not joined by a common header, (this allows water to come from both boilers). Since they are not joined together in one main header when one boiler fails thus there is no heat in one wing while the other end of the building remains heated. Their present project needs is to do the following:
Replacement of two boilers
Combining header and return
Doing so will both save energy and reduce heating issues.
Help requested
The project work consists of the following: Removal of two boilers and installing two new efficient gas fired units that will handle the building by giving them a common header and return line for the building. Other issues such as overheating in the office and other rooms needing either valves or insulation to prevent overheating.
The team leader Alan Coburn will Need Assistance from any who are skilled in plumbing, copper sweating, or pro pressing, ¾ -3” pipe, and black iron or flex piping for gas as well as able-bodies to help with demolition and installing and moving 500 lb units in and out of place. Licensed plumber would be helpful as well. Project to start as soon as boilers arrive late October/November.
TEPSE.ORG
The Ezekiel Project – Standing in the gap
Open Air Evangelism How to reach those that will never come to a church is vital. It is the desire of The Ezekiel Project to put the “go” back into the Gospel and to “stand in the gap.” We train and equip the Christian in evangelism, so the Gospel can be presented in a clear and simple way. …
Day 1, Oct 24
The team is collecting. Al Coburn started from New Jersey in the early morning Saturday with a van loaded with some supplies being donated to The Ezekiel Project by Grace Chapel in Tenafly, NJ, picked up Fred Scott in Birdsboro, PA and proceeded to the Westlake, OH area to overnight and meet with the believers in Westlake. After lunch the travels were completed to Richmond, MI, where The Ezekiel Project is located. In the evening John Shepherd and Dennis Montellato arrived at the Detroit airport from California. There is another John and Don from the more local area also here. The gas had been shut off earlier in the day and a little of the destruction was started after supper. Now we are unpacking and preparing for tomorrow.
Day 2, Monday, Oct 25
There was a lot of destruction and planning going on today. The first order of business was a checking of the building as to where all the pipes go. There are many hot water heaters around the outside perimeter of the building, some connected strangely, and some that need to be re-plumbed so they are connected to a thermostat in the room they are in, and some that need to be updated to current plumbing standards. Don had been continuing to disconnect the old boilers, so next was to dismantle the boilers. Inside the tin around the outside that had been removed was cast iron pieces that are fitted together. They had to be pried apart and carefully carried outside, each piece weighing about 200 pounds.
Once the boilers were removed, other pipes had to be cut off in preparation for the new system. Once the room was relatively cleared Al and John set to planning the parts and how many would be needed to connect to the new equipment. At the same time Dennis and Fred were removing two window frames in a wall that had been covered over to re-frame and install drywall to meet code. By the end of a long day the needed items and the inventory of items was reconciled so a list of items to purchase in the morning was made.
During the day we met with the school for chapel and prayer, and for meals. An item for prayer is that when one team member could not come Fred now needs a ride home with all his tools.
Day 3, Tuesday Oct 26
Now that we have most things taken out of the boiler room, we are getting into the construction phase. Over the night it was determined what additional parts were needed and Al spent most of the morning acquiring those things. While he was gone we prepared as much as possible for completion when the supplies arrived. As our possibilities of work waned until the parts arrived we were shown Chris Schroeder’s house and given the stories of the Lord’s work for both acquiring it, the current property for the school, and an additional plot of land next to the school.
After lunch and until supper we were able to cover over many of the holes in the walls, cut tubing into useable pieces, start mounting brackets to hold pipes, and got a water heater mounted. More parts will be needed tomorrow as discoveries about the supplied equipment continue to be made. Pray for us that all the parts necessary for the installation are found and we will be able to get the work completed on time.
Day 4, Wednesday, Oct 27
Early in the morning Al was going for supplies, then John and Dennis also went to pick up some things on their way in, causing the work activities in the building to start a little later. Finally we are putting things back together. Throughout most of the day there was a lot of cutting copper tubing to the proper length, cleaning and reaming each tube end and all the fittings, and soldering in place. Holes were cut in the roof for the water heater vent pipes. Don spent most of his day laying down on the job under a stairwell getting the heaters and baptismal plumbed correctly in the other end of the building. After supper there was more piping to be done and cleaning of fittings. Pictures were taken earlier in the day, so much more was on the wall by the end of the day.
Day 5 to 8, Thursday to Sunday, October 28-31
I need to apologize for not getting daily reports sent out during this time. The days have been long with short nights. Going into survival mode, we have been dependent on the Holy Spirit to take your prayers and apply them to the specific situation. We appreciate your desire to follow along and pray for us. Through it all the Lord has given each of the team members strength for the work and the ability to adjust to the needs of the work and changing the departure schedules. Below is a more detailed report if you choose to read it. Few pictures are allowed in an email, so here is a link to Google pictures. Following that are the reports Al Coburn sent out as a different perspective on the work.
Thursday, October 28
More supplies and parts were picked up in the morning. The day was spent cutting and soldering more pipes in place. At supper we were able to get a picture of the team. The walls are getting full of pipes.
Friday, October 29
More supplies and parts are picked up. We are still awaiting some motors for the system. The water heater is connected, and now hot water is available to the near bathrooms. The hot water pipes were insulated. The arrangement of pipes is reviewed often to make sure the path is clear. What is called the water manifold, which controls the water distribution to the boilers, has been constructed and put in place overhead. A new electrical box is in place and the control boxes for the boilers are being placed. Don has spent most of his time this week working at the other end of the building on piping to the baptistry and the new kitchen in the basement. He is leaving tomorrow.
Saturday, October 30
The original plan to be finished has been put off as the project is not done and new arrangements are made for staying a couple more days. This effects airline tickets and the families that are expecting us home. The pumps have arrived and are being put into place. The electric wires have been connected to the new panel. Upon testing, one water line had a leak in a connection. Much time and effort was spent trying to get the water out of the pipe so the connection could be re-soldered. The walls are getting filled with pipes and the boiler mounting is expected soon. The days have been long as about every day someone is at a store to get more parts near 7 am and the day ends about 1 or 2 am.
Sunday, October 31
It is great to get to sleep in a little later yet prepare for gathering with the Lord’s people to remember His death, burial and resurrection. After lunch it seemed acceptable for us to do the unusual and return to the work as the revised time to leave is getting closer. By 6 pm we were ready to move the boilers into the room and begin attaching them to the piping. By 1 am there were just a couple drain lines needing attaching, the vent put through the roof, and the motors wired.
Day 9, Monday, November 1
This gets a little sketchy as Fred packed up his tools to leave at 9 am for his noon flight. John and Dennis planned on picking up more supplies and working until noon to make their flight, leaving Al to mostly work alone. The venting is in place and some of the wiring is completed. His intent is to work with two of the men from The Ezekiel Project on Tuesday and leave for home in the afternoon.
Al’s comments through the week:
Monday-Wed, Oct 25 – 27
Some of the Team arrived on site at 7:30am each day to start work while some went for missing parts and materials to keep the job going. Some parts were delayed and have to be factory shipped.
Were able to complete the following:
1. Old boilers and piping not needed were finally all removed last night.
2. Relocated new lines and installed 70% and tested the water side 100% of the new tankless heater which was installed.
3. Assembled new boilers and organized parts.
4. Running for supplies due to delays on deliveries, more material coming from the factory and picking up needed tools and parts locally as needed.
5. Continued working on changes to poorly plumbied lines in baptismal and adding lines for hot and cold water to the new basement kitchen sink.
Continue to pray as working long hours to get things in place and that missing items arrive today to help us complete connections.
Work to be competed
1. Have to finish assembling the main header and hang,
2. Then make header connections to supply and return lines.
3. Hang and install return lines and plumbing to the old wing.
4. Complete Gas line run and connections.
5. Install 2 boilers venting.
6. Condensate line to run.
7. Rework electrical new panel, water heater and Boilers.
8. Cleanup test .
Thursday, Oct 28
Team arrived on site at 7:30am and worked on the boiler project.
Got the header 90% finished, waiting for a couple parts that we hope to have in the morning. Had the dinner meal with TEPSE group that had Thursday’s meal together due to later classes. then worked on boilers till 10 pm
Were able to complete the following:
1. Boiler piping installed up to the header and stopped when fitting ran out.
2. Relocated the new electrical panel and set up, installed one new receptacle.
3. Assembled part to new boilers.
4. Installed gas line and valves completed.
5. Cleaned the boiler room of the debris.
6. Ran for parts.
Continue to pray as working long hours to get things in place and that missing items arrive today to help us complete connections.
Work to be competed
1. Have to finish assembling the main header and hang,
2. Then make header connections to supply and return lines.
3. Hang and install return lines and plumbing to the old wing.
4. Test, turn on Gas line run and connections.
5. Install 2 boilers and venting.
6. Condensate line to run for boilers
7. Rework electrical new panel, water heater and Boilers.
8. Cleanup test.
Friday, Oct 29
Team arrived on site at 7:30am and worked on the boiler project.
Got the header 100% finished and hung, picking up a couple parts that we hope to have in the morning. Had the dinner meal with Loudin’s then worked on boilers till 11 pm
Were able to complete the following:
1. Boiler piping installed up to the header hung header.
2. Installed and wired a new electrical panel and switched over.
3. Assembled part on new boilers.
4. Turned on a new hot water heater (hot water none for 5 years)
5. Worked on installing lines for basement sink and baptistry hookup.
6. Replaced thermostat wires and installed a new one.
7. Cleaned the boiler room of the debris.
8. Ran for parts
Same requests: Continue to pray as working long hours to get things in place and that missing items arrive today to help us complete connections. Also for connection changes as all have to change our trip plans home.
Work to be competed
1. Make header connections to supply and return lines.
2. Test. Turn on gas line run and connections.
3. Install 2 boilers and venting.
4. Condensate line to run for boilers
5. Rework electrical to boilers and pumps.
6. Cleanup test.
Saturday, Oct 30
Team arrived on site at 7:30am and worked on the boiler project.
Got the header 100% finished and hung, picking up a couple parts that we hope to have in the morning. Had a dinner meal with Loudon’s then worked till 2am.
Saturday continued on with plumbing work hooking up more header enjoyed a Spanish meal then said our goodbyes to Don Munson who headed home. We continued to work on boilers till 2 am.
Everyone changed flights to leave on Monday.
Sunday, we enjoyed fellowship with the saints here in Richmond and then had lunch. afterwards continued with finishing header tie in and moved in boilers and started hooking them up. The TEPSE team went and gave out tracts and played games in the Town Halloween festival and finished around 8pm we had pizza with the Schroeders and Tim and then we worked till 12 :30 am.
Were able to complete the following:
1. Finished Boiler piping installed to headers and pumps.
2. Wired 2 pumps.
3. Turned on a new hot water heater Friday (hot water none for 5 years)
4. Worked on installing lines for basement sink and baptistry hookup.
5. Replaced all thermostat wires and installed a new one.
6. Cleaned the boiler room of the debris and Saturday night cleaned the hallway for chapel services.
7. Installed make up water and condensate lines.
8. Ran for parts
Final report by Al Coburn
Tuesday final day 10
Fred left on Monday morning. Thank you Fred for your great help and tools..John and Dennis were picking up parts so missed good bye. We continued to work till 5 when John and Dennis left to head Home. Great workers and worked well as a team in a crowd space..will be missed.
I continue on installing vents through the roof and sealing and flashing them in. Went to bed early at 9.
Got up early Tuesday, reviewed manuals just to refresh setups, went to work, finished at 7:45pm and headed for home.
Finished job
I am SO thankful for HIS hand of strength, blessing. And help for day 1-10. The great group of men who were able to give time to do projects …what a blessing..
Also
The staff and students were so thankful for the team’s help with this need… an answer to their prayers.
I want to again express my gratitude for the help, meals, love and support of the Ezekiel group and all they put up with and did for us. THANK YOU
What was completed
1. Finished vented hook ups.
2. Ran electric to last two pumps and boilers.
3. Repaired some leaking connections.
4. Ran wires for boiler sensors.
5. Repaired broken wires and control issues.
6. Startup boilers programmed and adjusted.
7.trained team how it worked.
8. Looked over adding zones.
9. Tested for leaks all good.
10. Added condensate lines to boilers.
Left to do
Inspection.
Then insulation.
Put away tools.
Fix new zones as needed.
All for now.. God blessings and prayers on all.
Thank you
In HIS service,
Alan Coburn
Team leader
