Blue Valley Baptist Church, we are grateful for your investment in planting a new church and child development center in Brazil. “When we heard the wonderful news about the funding of this church planting and child development center, we couldn’t believe it. It was a dream come true!” say leaders of Congregação Igreja Batista Betel about your great generosity to this community.
We pray that this brief update is as much a blessing and encouragement to you as you are to the children, families and community impacted by your compassion.
In the photo above, children participate in an activity at the Compassion center.
Construction Progress
Launched on April 5, 2022, this intervention has accomplished the following to date:
Contractor selection and hiring. Among the three companies considered, the one hired by the church, though a small company, has reportedly “accepted the challenges and has surprised us with zeal and meeting deadlines.”
Launch of construction. Construction began in May, and despite the challenges of a longer than typical rainy season and an unexpected increase in the cost of materials, the church reports, “God has blessed us so much, and the work is in progress.”
Construction milestones:
- Land cleared and construction team hired
- Foundations laid and exterior walls completed
- Construction of interior walls completed
- Roofing completed
Challenges and Learning Opportunities
As previously reported, soon after construction began, the extended rainy season began to present challenges. Also, an unexpected increase in the price of materials was a challenge. However, the work has continued in spite of the weather, and local funds have been raised to meet the additional costs. Also to help lower costs, the church has recruited volunteers for general labor needs.
The church is now feeling an urgency to complete the project because, the leadership reports, “Currently, the ministry with the children is in a rented house and the demands are enormous. Many families are also seeking assistance, and our space currently has no way of serving children and their families with dignity.”
Church Activities
Although construction is still underway, the church is active in ministering to the community through outdoor services, evangelism, home visits and celebrations, as well as Compassion program activities for the children. Church staff shared the following update:
“We are still in the process of building the facilities, but the children are participating in the Compassion program and their families are accepting Jesus as their Savior. In addition, many other activities are already being done with the families and registered children. Our challenge today is the great harvest. The field is ready; pray that the Lord sends the workers to this harvest.”
Thank You for Making a Difference
Each day brings Congregação Igreja Batista Betel a step closer to realizing its dream of a physical home for its growing ministry. Your gift to make this dream a reality is so much more than bricks and mortar. It is the gift of real help and lasting hope for the children and families served today, and countless more in the years to come.
We look forward to bringing you more updates on the progress of this life-changing new church. In the meantime, may God richly bless the leaders, members and ministry of Blue Valley Baptist Church!