Joint Heirs With Jesus

These last 2 weeks were filled once again with work projects for many.  A section of pavers outside the school was started by a team from Northview Community Church and finished by a second group that attends the same church.  We also had a couple from Ontario join the group who had a passion to start a small garden as a learning project for the science class.

In addition to the pavers and garden, the team helped carry bricks and buckets of concrete up flights of stairs to pour beams for the apartments above the kitchen.  They also painted and cleaned the empty boy's dorm while Ira overhauled much of the plumbing.  It is being prepared for the girls to move into when the rest of the boys move.  

The team also did an outreach to Mount Sinai ministering with clowns about Salvation.  The team also handed out clothes and other supplies.  It is great to see how God has blessed Pan de Vida and now allowing them to outreach to others outside of the facility. 

We recently had a team in and half have gone back and the other half is still here so I will update that on the next blog. In the meantime, I wanted to update you on some of the projects that are in progress.

The auditorium roof is near completion and after that, the stucco and floors will need to be done.  The school is finished and the teachers have moved into their new rooms and the apartments above the kitchen are started.

Recently some solar panels for hot water have been donated and the installation is almost complete. This was a job that had to be done by qualified workers and it was so cute to see some of the kids volunteer to be assistants.  The men were very patient and we hope that the Love of God touched them in the process.

God has been so faithful in His provision here at Pan de Vida and the fruit of the work here is showing.  Day to day life is changing with the hacienda and the move but so far everything seems to be going smooth.  Once both houses are at full capacity, there are questions to how things will function but we have to be flexible and see how God is going to work some of those details out.

It is a work in progress.  The boys have officially started moving over to the hacienda.  They come to Pan de Vida after breakfast for school and after lunch they go to the new place.  They have been working very hard to get the grounds cleared by chopping, raking and shoveling.  


There has been little to none maintenance so there is a lot to do to get it up to par.  The most important will be to get plumbing and electrical work done to accommodate immediate needs.  Also, there are lots of broken tiles that need to be replaced, painting to be done and structural repairs due to the age of the property.  


Currently 27 people,  consisting of the oldest boys and supervisors are living at the property.  The plan is that in 2 weeks the rest of the boys will move.  We are waiting on transportation resolutions for this to be able to happen.   It is a beautiful property with great potential and a ton of work to be done.  


Please continue to pray for everyone as this transition takes place.  It was very encouraging to hear the older boys say they love it and the smaller ones that they are ready to go.  Some of the middle aged boys cried when they couldn't go with the older boys, even boys who have sisters here.  They are family and it has shown through this experience of separation.

 

here is a view of the older boys...24 in the room

 

Josue's sleeping area 

 

the cocina...cooking area 

the floor in the dining area in need of repair

the laundry room....there are 20 washboard/sinks

  

where they currently hang clothes to dry

a previous recycling area 

one of the bathrooms in need of plumbing

the beautiful ceilings 

some near the outer areas need scrubbing 

a huge hothouse...3 wide...for vegetables, once repaired

 

potential chicken coops as well

Today I just wanted to put some pictures of the kids.  I have been hanging out some with them and with a camera in hand, you become very popular.  Also, I am providing a link to my facebook album.  http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=47317&l=3d97f&id=511160411


Of course the pictures don't capture everything and all the kids but it gives you a glimpse!