Awaken City Church, we are pleased to bring you an update from your church plant, the Gate of Heaven Church in San Mateo Zapotal, Mexico. Construction is progressing and the church is extremely thankful for your support. Currently, 10 adults and 15 children attend the church. Please enjoy this report which includes an update on construction, photos, and a testimony of impact.
Construction Progress
The walls are built for the sanctuary and work on the bathrooms is underway. Work has started on the halls and the office. Church services are held in one of the classrooms.
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- Construction progress
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- Interior view of the sanctuary
Challenges and Learning Opportunities
One of the challenges is the shortage of water. Due to the warm season, the community prohibits using tap water for construction, so workers must haul water from the river with a van. The team remains very encouraged to complete this work, and we are thankful for their help.
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- Workers carry water from the river to the construction site
Next Steps
The remaining tasks to be accomplished include:
- Finishing walls in all of the buildings
- Installing floors
- Finishing the electrical and sanitary installations
- Hanging doors and windows
- Painting the buildings
- Construction of the kitchen and dining room
The church says that it will not take long to finish these tasks as long as they have the materials to complete the work.
Church Activities
When the quarantine is lifted, the pastor will continue to visit families in the community, evangelizing and holding meetings with parents to inform them of the child development center.
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- Community members wash their clothes in the river
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- Children playing
Testimony From a Local Father
I am so happy that the buildings are progressing. I hope that my children will be able to attend classes as soon as the construction is finished. My children are very excited to be enrolled.
Praises and Prayer Requests
The church plant is grateful to you for the support you have given to establish this new congregation. They thank you for your prayers and for your trust, and say that it is a privilege to participate in the work of the Lord. They ask you to pray for:
- The construction to be completed in a timely manner.
- The pandemic to end soon.
- The people of San Mateo Zapotal so that they continue to learn about the gospel.
- God’s protection over the children of San Mateo Zapotal and the church.