Grace Center Bible Church & Aletheia Ministries

It is so exciting to see this church & ministry center get closer and closer to completion. Much like the Church Mexico Community Center in the previous post. I first met Pastor Michael Turay teaching on the book of Romans in January 2013. I noticed him studying the smallish church that the conference was at during a breakout; next thing you know I'm visiting him in October, 2013...and though not quite complete; this project (on a MUCH more complicated site than Church Mexico) is getting closer. When complete, the three story building on a steep hill with a lot of big boulders will also be used for training pastors, housing them, and also for the church to meet regularly. The ground floor was complete almost 2 years ago, and they have been able to worship there since that time. Following are photos of the construction when my son, Josiah and I visited in 2015 and work started on laying out the foundation...and some progress photos since.

the site in the early stages of HAND excavation

the whole congregation that was able to help, helped move the rocks and boulders

A LOT of hard labor!

The first floor was complete, and services were able to be held towards the end of 2016

building the 2nd floor roof/3rd floor slab :)

no heavy equipment, just strong men at work

 

IGLESIA MÉXICO CENTRO COMUNITARIO

We were introduced to this wonderful church planting and discipleship ministry based in San Luis, Mexico back in February 2013. Nearly 6 years and 3 buildings later; the community center buildings are complete, and we were invited to celebrate with the church, community, and many other volunteers who helped build these buildings in January 2019.

the church met under a tarp in 2013

typical housing of the community being served

the first building constructed was the restroom/shower

next: the multipurpose building (which we visited in January 2018)

and this year, the discipleship/classroom/office/training center

SHADE

Over the past few years I have been privileged to work with Clare & Mike Fedele on a master plan for a community for children with albinism in Tanzania; who are "rejected, forgotten, and hunted" within this country. A few years ago they had a piece of land that we developed a master plan for. The purchase for that land fell through; but as is often the case with the Lord; a much better property became available, which they have purchased, have installed a well, and are in the process of constructing a large shade pagoda and a guard / caretaker house. Eventually, through phased construction, they intend to have a nursery, primary, and secondary school; five to ten houses with a half dozen children and house parents per house; a business development center; visiting missionary quarters; prayer room; pool; soccer field; and large agricultural area. They are working with Bill Hebner of Hebner Innovative Solutions to develop plans using shipping container structures. Phase 1 will be a five container, two level building which will have administration, educational, and guest quarters. The first draft of this land's master plan is below; followed by a few more images of the well, shade structure, caretaker home, the children, and staff.

Life School near Madrid

In mid-October 2018 my wife and I met with two amazing missionary couples, and plenty of more missionary teachers who are operating (or on the board) of the ONLY evangelical Christian school for Spanish children in the Madrid, Spain area (in Tres Cantos) name Life School (Life). Life is an English immersion school. Scot and Carol Musser were led to start this school after a couple of decades serving at and running a Christian school in the area that primarily serves missionary children. Scot felt an increasing draw for developing a high quality school that would help Spanish children, and help lead Spanish families into personal relationships with our Lord. The school is in it's second year and has a modest student population; but has more than doubled than last year. The storefront property that they rent to educate the preschool and primary aged children will soon be insufficient to house the growing student population With the Lord's help, and in working with Spanish architects Carlos and Audrey, we hope to prepare drawings that will allow for a larger and phased growth plan to educate hundreds of preschool through secondary age students. Recently, Scot has been challenged to dream beyond just one such school building; but to see if the Lord might not grow this vision into several such schools throughout the Madrid area and perhaps beyond. Following are some photos of the children, the missionaries, the Spanish architectural team, and the property.

Life School student

Teacher and engaged students

Design team

Audrey, me, Sally, and Carlos

Audrey, Scot, and Carlos

Scale model of Alcala, Spain, where Carlos & Audrey work

Scot & Carol Musser and us

Missionaries Tim & Marilyn Westergren (and guest Anna)

The property they hope to secure for the expanded Life School

San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico

Church Mexico Community Center construction progress, initially designed in 2013, the final of three buildings is under construction. Future Church Mexico projects include security wall, school, and halfway house

David & Irecela Powers (& grandkids)-founder of Church Mexico

building 1 complete-community restrooms & showers

building 2-mostly complete: Community Center & church building 

building 3 underway and being used for classes, will also have dorms

after school program in building 3

BAM!

Puebla & Cholula, Mexico

Design 5-story mixed use building for Business as Missions (BAM) to serve as housing for visiting business teams and also pay for itself with rented mercantile and apartments.

Tom & Sandy Basile - directors of BAM