The Boise team was in Glasgow for two weeks and worked eight full days on the church's effort to turn a 100-year-old building into a downtown church and coffeehouse ministry.
"It was a lot of hard work," said Joe Ingrao, one of the trip's leaders, who estimates the team put in a combined total of 500 hours on the project. "We were physically exhausted when we got home at night."
Joe said he and the rest of the group developed a deep appreciation for the Chadneys and their leadership team.
"Seeing the spiritual and physical struggles that Jake and Cherry and their son, Daniel, face day to day in planting a church - what that is and what that takes - it really showed us how difficult things are on the mission field," Joe said. "They're able to collect themselves and overcome it because they're sold out. They're willing to do the job. I think the thing that keeps them going is the vision they have for the country, and along with that comes a passion from the Lord that keeps them motivated."
Four months ago, the church in Glasgow had just gotten their building and were waiting for the lease to be signed. Now they're well into the remodeling project, and they still have no signed lease. They are actually waiting on the city council to finish its part of the work, but in the meantime, they were given permission to start work themselves.
A team from the Exeter, England, Vineyard got the project off to a great start, and a few weeks later, the Boise team continued the effort.
"We figure they saved us about two months of work," the Chadneys said in their latest newsletter.
The Boise team also delivered a special care package for the Chadneys: Their daughter, Christy McCallum, whom they have not seen for more than a year, excitedly joined the team.
Shortly after the Boise team left Glasglow, a team arrived from the Downtown Vineyard of Sacramento, Calif., and another is coming soon from Columbus, Ohio.
"We just cannot say how much the teams help us out, not only with the work they do, but with the blessings they bring in their encouragement and love to us and our body," Jake and Cherry said. "We have been blessed by each and every person. God knew our needs, so He brought just the right folks each time, with just the right abilities and gifting for all our needs. We are so grateful for the huge sacrifice made for us and for the Kingdom."
Slowly but surely, the building is taking shape. Jake and Cherry hope to open the coffeehouse in January.
"We have had a few setbacks, but the one that hurt us the most was being broken into while the Boise team was with us," the Chadneys said. "All of our tables and chairs were taken, still in the boxes, all our power tools, plus lights, electrical, and other stuff. We are still in the process of making lists, and have not made the claim to our insurance yet. We keep thinking of more things that are missing, and we are hoping and praying it will all be covered. God has been faithful to provide the finances we need to finish phase one, thanks to a recent financial gift. We think we will even be able to start on phase two now."
This week, the Chadneys' attention turns to the holidays. Even though they're not in the U.S., they're still going to celebrate Thanksgiving and have a feast for the school of ministry students.
"The students have requested to have a traditional American experience, so several of us Americans are really going to give them one," Jake and Cherry said. "We even have some cranberry sauce from the U.S. It should be fun, but we will miss family and friends in the U.S. If you want to come and join us, we will show you a great time - we promise."
E-mail the Chadneys at jakechadney@vineyardboise.org
If you would like to help support the Glasgow Vineyard financially, please call the church, 377-1477.
