Doug has been working TIRELESSLY on a project recently.
A few months back, we were in class on a Sunday morning at church. During a series discussing family finances, a few extended families (Scobeys and Chamblees) came in to discuss finances as it related to their upbringing. After class, we spoke with Gary Chamblee (an elder at North Atlanta) and learned that he grew up in Roseville, Michigan. His Mom actually goes to church with my Uncle Danny and Aunt Linda. Small world! During the conversation, Doug casually mentioned that he was currently unemployed. Gary mentioned that he might have some work for Doug to do. Fast-forward a few months...
Gary called Doug. They then met together with Ken Schumard (also an elder at North Atlanta) in late March to discuss Doug's involvement with an effort in Kigali, Rwanda. Gary and Ken are rallying the troops to fund the building of a boarding school in Rwanda, which will house 2,000 students. For now, the school is called CASE (Central African School of Excellence). The school is a partnership between GAC (Greater... Atlanta Christian School in Norcross, GA) and Oklahoma Christian University. They wanted Doug to draw plans for the school / campus! Richard Kohl, also an elder at North Atlanta (who owns his own architectural firm) drew the first set of plans, but the specific land had not yet been confirmed. His plan included a lake in the middle of the plan. The land finally agreed upon doesn't include a lake. So, Gary and Ken wanted Doug to do a more detailed plan that would be more specific to the chosen land.
The kids have have been out of day care since the beginning of the year, because we couldn't justify the expense of day care when Doug was available at home. Ken and Gary said they would do whatever was necessary for Doug to work on this project, which included fronting some money for the kids to be placed in day care full-time (a portion of the full payment for Doug's work). Prayer answered!
Doug didn't have much to go on, but drew up the plans with the limited information he had. Last Monday, April 19, Doug took a tour of Greater Atlanta Christian School with the facilities coordinator. While there, Gary e-mailed him and mentioned that he should see the President of GAC, to show him the plans. Fortunately for Doug, the President had quite a few things he wanted included in the plan. (He learned that the land will actually include TWO schools). Yikes! So, Doug had to scrap his first round plans.
He worked very well with the President (David Fincher) to ensure the plans included everything GAC wanted. From April 19th until this past Monday, Doug has worked LONG hours to ensure this happened. He finished it up last Monday. It looks great!
Doug received a very "presidential" looking electronic invitation to today's luncheon (I will see if I can attach that, as well). The invitation advised that there would be a luncheon held with "His Excellency, President Paul Kagame..." :-) Approximately 80 people will be attending this luncheon. Doug's campus drawings will be presented to President Kagame today! The drawings will be projected onto numerous screens as President Kagame and First Lady Jeannette Kagame tour GAC today. (GAC will be the school after which the CASE school will most likely be modeled). Gary presented the drawings to the GAC students yesterday, telling them they were the first to see the plans. Doug is extremely excited, as am I! State of Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue is expected to be there, as well.
Some history: Most of the teachers in Rwanda were killed (or left the country) during the genocide in the 90's, so the school will be a K-12 boarding school (one part of the campus), as well as a school that will "teach teachers" (the seond school on campus). The teacher / student ratio in Rwanda right now is 1:125+, so it would definitely benefit Rwanda to have more teachers at the ready. The top 10 students in the country of Rwanda are given a scholarship to OC yearly. This year, the first of those students are expected to graduate. President Kagame is expected to deliver this year's OC commencement address on 04/30.
In the picture, Doug is holding a pen that he made for President Kagame (hopefully he will be able to give it to him, given security measures...). Doug's trademark, since he's been doing freelance work, is to make a pen (turn on a lathe) for those who ask him to complete projects / architectural work. He attached his business card to the pen. Ironically, the name of the kit for this pen is called "Majestic". ;-) I am hoping that Doug will have pictures he can share of the luncheon. If he does, I will be sure to post them.
Interesting to note: Doug asked Gary Chamblee why they chose him (Doug) for this project. Gary said "Well, you were in class that Sunday morning, mentioned you were currently without work. I saw your portfolio which included some educational buildings. I believe God puts people in our lives at specific times for a reason." Wow. This is definitely a God-thing. What a story to tell. From unemployed to meeting with a President... God definitely works in mysterious ways!
Like Doug's Dad has said, "win, lose or draw" this experience will be a good one. Please pray that the school happens. Praying that this project is a "go" (the President / Rwanda will have to sign-off on this idea), and that something is "sticky" about this project! But for today, we'll just celebrate lunch! ;-)
Peace, love and presidential elbow-rubbing,
Shelly, Doug, Ava and Liam
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