The title of this blog is “at the level of concrete-roof-plate” and it is an appropriate title because that is where we are at in the construction process. What is left before putting up the plato is to fill in the rest of the columns with concrete up to the level of plato and build the viga (a layer of concrete around the top perimeter) which will frame in the persianas (the metal window things they use here instead of glass) and the doorways. Excuse the lack of English in the construction terms; we’ve never helped construct a cinderblock building in an English speaking country. Apparently the plato is the most expensive part of the construction process. Since it is both the roof of the first floor and the floor of the second floor, it will need a significant amount of rebar reinforcing it. Though we have not yet received an official estimate, the contractor’s rough guesstimate was somewhere around RD$200,000 which is approximately $6,000 USD. God has provided in amazing ways through many of the readers of this blog and through members of the community here in Santiago & we’re excited to see how he provides next.
In other news, Centro Cristiano officially kicked off their children’s ministry & started providing a simple bread and hot chocolate breakfast for those who come on Sunday mornings. There have been over 20 kids who have come to the last two Sunday services. And though getting people to show up for a Sunday service is not the end goal, it can be a very useful way to plug these young ones into a healthy community to help them develop into people who will change the world for the better in the name of Jesus Christ.Katie preached last Saturday night for the youth church service. She spoke on being the salt of the earth and the richness of the illustration that Jesus was providing us. Surely the youth walked away with a deeper understanding of their role in the world as a preserving/protecting force and as a people who add flavor and season to a bland world.
Also, Sunday we had our first Church service at the new site. We had a work/worship service in which everyone in the church pitched in and helped accomplish all that needed to be done before continuing the work process today. It was a short, informal, good time together of worshipping God in work, song, and poetry.
3 comments:
i love that you guys got to have the first service at the new site!! and especially that everyone pitched in to help in the building process!! i sent a package today!! dhl said it should get there wed!! so we shall see!! love you guys mucho!!
Moooonsusus! It's paparatsus. I had to redo my password. It was great talking with U2 yesterday. Keep up the good work. Remember that we don't always see the fruit of our effort right away and sometimes never but God has instructed us to just doit. He'll take care of the rest. Blessings....Hi Hillary
hiya jim!! that was an important reminder, that we dont always get to see the fruits of our work, thats really hard sometimes!!
like jim said guys, keep it up!! we all love you and are praying for you!!
Post a Comment