Hello all,
A very exciting update to share with everyone – this last week CFM held their first church service in a tent on the new land! This marks about one year after purchase of the land, to go from the dedication ceremony to seeing the vision fulfilled. Probably the most exciting element of this news is the last several elements were financed and supplied by locals – fellow brothers and sisters in the community joining in to carry the project to the goal. Congrats and high-5’s to all who who gave, shared, prayed and lifted up this effort.
Instead of words, how about a photo essay showing the last few weeks of progress. Recall that the church was having issues with stormwater runoff and the risk of undermining the structure.
Possibly the engineer of the team, making precise measurements of the runoff problem…
Contractor shows up with equipment to do the excavation. Note the flooded septic tank:
Flow is diverted and some rip-rap placed to protect the new channel. Note the concrete ‘dam’ that closes off the previous drainage route:
Work immediately starts on a ‘tent’ structure for the hall which will be the church and school meeting place. At this point, the poles are donated, as well as some of the other building materials. In Pastor Martin’s own words:
“It has been great accomplishment 4 us all. As am sitted in varander wondering @ d work done 2day my heart spoke – if u blieve in me these works shall u do & Greater works shall u do. 2day a walkable path has been done & d roof planting of d tent almost completed if it had not been 4 lack of sticks & almost dried up. Even @ that l have called d stickman to loan me with just 2 dozen & 6 sticks which l promise to pay within 2 weeks time. l am also glad to say d Lord have being touch a few hearts to bless d work which has made it possible 4 us to come such far.”
A few photos of construction (not all OSHA approved!):
The redirected runoff flow was good, but a bridge was needed to be able to access the hall and house.
Structure is finished up and tarps attached. A door is built in. Note the benches and tables used as pews as well as for the school:
With a great sense of accomplishment, the first service is held:
Clearly a milestone to be remembered! Recall Pastor Martin is reaching out in an area that is largely Muslim and native spiritism. Also realize this is one of the first Christian outreaches that has a permanent location and building in this community. This is a huge testimony God and his power. May his Word go forth!
Obviously the tarps are not very watertight in a storm, and have a very limited life. Martin is also concerned with hosting a school next year with the flimsy structure as it is. So the next goal is to replace the stick and tarp structure with block and metal roof. Covenant Family Ministries welcomes your support, whether it be prayer, letters of encouragement, visits to the church or financial.
I am sending this update to a few folks who indicated an interest in this outreach but are not a part of the regular updates. If interested in supporting this ministry, Jubilee Fellowship Church has teamed with CFM to act as a clearinghouse for all the gifts to Sierra Leone and Pastor Martin. This allows gifts to be given to a 501(c)3 organization, allowing it as a tax deduction, and givers will get a statement at the end of the year from JFC summarizing their gifts. Jubilee Fellowship Church does all the leg-work of wiring the money over to Martin, assuring CFM gets it without any problems.
Click to the JFC website at:
Or go to Jubilee’s on-line giving page at:
https://jubileefellowshipchurch.wufoo.com/forms/2012-jfc-online-giving/
To give to this project, use the Missions designation. There is a notes section on the giving page and notate in that box “Sierra Leone”, “Pastor Martin” or “Covenant Family Ministries” so the clerks at JFC can put the gift into the right account.
I’ll post these photos on the Covenant Family Ministries blog at:
http://www.covenantfamilyministriessl.org
Thanks for your interest in this exciting project!
Regards,
Detlef