Originally our mission building project was to build a church at Bonga Arriba (Upper Arriba) but on the first day after introductions were made, we were told that there would be two building projects, each building a church and classrooms. Stan was selected to work at the Caldera site about 1 1/2 hours from our base at IAP. As it turned out it worked out very well as Stan had visited the site the previous week and knew the location well and was able to direct the building team on a few sight seeing locations after work around the area which added to the enjoyment of the Caldera team.
For years, this has been the Caldera Seventh-day Adventist church with members meeting each week to worship and sing praises to God. It was our priviledge as Maranantha team members to share our gift with these dedicated people from Caldera, Panama.
Stan had actually arrived at this site one week prior to Maranantha volunteers arrived as both he and Kathy had participated with the Boquete English speaking Seventh-day Adventist church by distributing 100 Christmas food baskets to needy families in the Boquete and Caldera areas. Since we had a car, it was our priviledge to participate with the eight english speaking members. (The Boquete Spanish church is much larger with over 100 members)
The pictures below show the church coordinator, the translator, Andrea the Boquete English outreach coordinator and Stan.
Maranantha International sends in an advanced team to prepare each site, pouring concrete, excavating etc. prior to the arrival of volunteers. Aditional teams are sent in to finish the work, stuco, painting, electrical, sidewalks etc. so by the time all teams have finished, the church will be completely functional.
The building to the left and rear of the new church is a "one day church" which we started about 10 AM on Friday. About half of the roof is in place and will be completed by January 1, 2014. That section will be used for Sabbath School rooms. Pictured are a few of the 30 members who attend. This church facility when complete will cost approximately $25,000.