Construction on the Second Church in Luis Moya, Zacatecas
Here is what the property looked like before we started.
The building is going behind the small tree and the pile of sand.
With the help of our church people we poured the foundations and
then our first help group came in from a neighboring state to raise the walls.
About 90% of the walls were raised in about three days!
The walls took about 2,200 blocks...
The "block" group from Coahuila, 5 hours north of Zacatecas.
Men form 3 different churches in the Banner of Faith Shields Ministry.
We had a special service on the site before the first group had to leave.
The following week we finished the walls and prepped the building for the roof.
During Easter week we put the roof on,
poured a section of concrete roof,
finished most of the bathrooms,
and leveled out the floor with dirt.
Of course all of the concrete is mixed, moved, and spread in the "old-fashion" way!
...the roof starts to come together...
Inside view...
Digging out the hole for the septic tank - not easy!!!
The septic tank is ready for it's lid - which will also be the floor for the bathrooms.
Pastor Ruben from Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua and Pastor Alan Gonzalez from Zacatecas
Matt and his brother Ethan, missionary in Hidalgo, MX, who did most of the welding for us.
Probably our biggest group that came to help.
They came form Chalchocoyo, San Luis Potosi about 9 hours away and they did a lot of the
concrete mixing and lugging during the week. Praise the Lord for their willingness!
Another group of three families that came form Ciudad Juarez...
Our second formal service inside the building before the second set of groups left.
Please excuse the lack of ties and suits! But hey, how do you like the pulpit!
Just this past Saturday we were blessed to be able to pour the floor of the sanctuary
It was 2 full concrete trucks and we poured it between 5 guys.
Adding space on the platform for the pulpit...
As it looks today!
Lord willing, we will have all the windows, doors, and electric installed by this weekend! We owe about $2,000 dollars but everything else has been paid for by our gracious Lord! We want to thank all of you who have helped either pay for materials, come help build with your hands, or pray this project through! We could not have done it without you all! We have a big activity at the new location this Saturday (04, May), needless to say, our people are ecstatic about the new building!
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On another note, here is a picture of the ladies last meeting at Victory.
The third Friday and Saturday we had a regional youth conference on the theme of sexual purity.
We had about 65 teens and the great majority made a commitment in the
area of remaining pure until their wedding altar.
There were 3 great messages on the subject and a lot of fun and fellowship!
Also the thrird church in Ojo Caliente baptized 8 people this month and we have seen several professions of faith during March and April. There is much more to say but we must cut it off here for now. Thank you to each of you for your prayers and faithful support for this ministry! May the Lord richly bless you!
THE SHIELDS
