Thank you, Agoura Bible Fellowship, for your continued prayerful support of your church plant, Iglesia Bautista Misionera, in Cochabamba, Bolivia. After many delays, construction has begun! Below is the latest report from the field, detailing activities at the construction site and among the members of the church.
Construction Progress
During the 60 days leading up to this report:
- The property was inspected, and a soil study was completed.
- The construction plan was updated and approved.
- Church- and construction-committee coordination meetings were conducted.
- Construction materials were price-quoted and purchased, including iron, cement, brick, sand, gravel, nails and wire.
Construction officially started in August and is approximately 20% complete. So far, the following steps have been accomplished:
- Excavation for the foundation.
- Formwork for the base pillars of the church and the perimeter wall.
- Excavation and construction of the water tank.
As this report was filed, builders were preparing to begin working on the slab foundation and construction of the brick walls.
Church Activities
As reported previously, activities at the church are suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Church meetings will resume when restrictions are relaxed. The church is excited to welcome back the 40 adults and 50 children who had attended regularly, pre-pandemic, as well as welcome more community members.
During the last two months, church members have regularly delivered:
- Food packages for children.
- Hygiene kits for the most vulnerable registered children.
- Compassion program activities and lessons for beneficiaries via phone calls and WhatsApp.
Challenges Encountered
One of the biggest challenges the church faces is raising funds for the local contribution, which is intended to cover labor costs, because church activities were suspended. However, church leaders are beginning to restart some activities such as the sale and delivery of lunches on the first week of each month. Another fundraiser involves church members sponsoring square meters of the new site. Members are also offering voluntary contributions.
Another challenge faced by church leaders was the purchase and transport of materials. Roadblocks, which are a common form of protest, caused a shortage of some materials during the weeks and months leading up to the October general election in Bolivia.
Next Steps
In the next 60 days, the goal is to finish structural construction.
Testimony of Impact
It is a dream come true to implement this church plant. I have directed a child development center for several years, and we have always had the goal of having a daughter church. As the Compassion center at the mother church was being phased out [because it had achieved maturity and self-sustainability], I was sorry that I could not continue supporting more families and children through a child development center. I lost hope of fulfilling my dream.
However, Pastor Jorge did not let go of that dream and he finally found a suitable place to start another child development center. This year, I returned to work as director. Executing this church plant is a privilege, and it fills me with immense joy knowing that we will be able to support families and children from another community by sharing the word of God.
– Modesto,
child development center director
Praises and Prayer Requests
Implementing this church plant during the pandemic is a challenge. Church leaders must balance their commitment to the project while looking out for the health of the church staff and parents who contribute labor to the construction. However, knowing that this new church will change the lives of many families inspires them to continue going forward every day.
They would like to ask for special prayer:
- For God to give them strength to finish the construction.
- For wisdom to attain enough resources for the local contribution.
- For wisdom to execute the church plant and be good financial stewards.