We are pleased to share this final report from your church plant, Iglesia Evangelica Bautista “Jesus es la Puerta” in Piura, Peru, where Lenexa Baptist Church has built a foundation for generations of children to learn about Jesus. This report summarizes the steps taken to establish this new church and Compassion child development center. We hope it blesses you as you have blessed so many already. May God bless you!
This church embraces the challenge to reach out to children and expand the kingdom of God. Our challenge is to grow the child development center and church in this neighborhood of Palmeras to benefit more people living in conditions of extreme poverty.
Construction Summary
These were the activities for this church plant project:
Organize a construction committee
The pastor, engineer and director had a meeting in January 2018 to form the committee and make all necessary evaluations.
Create the blueprint
Construction drawings were started in March 2018 and finished in April. They called for classrooms, a multipurpose room, kitchen, office space and bathrooms.
Purchase the construction materials
The first materials were purchased in April 2018 and the last in October. Reliable vendors were used to ensure high-quality products, electrical accessories, plumbing accessories and additional materials. The director reported all the invoices on time and in an orderly manner.
Build the church
The construction work begun on April 16, 2018, and concluded Oct. 8.
During this time, church-member participation was noteworthy, as many contributed economically and helped with construction work. All of the volunteers were led by a builder and five contracted workers. The following areas were built:
- 5 classrooms
- 1 multipurpose room
- 1 kitchen
- 1 office
- 1 bathroom for men
- 1 bathroom for women
Assess, monitor and verify
The lead engineer and pastor supervised the construction work and carried out inspections on specific dates. The monitoring process concluded Oct. 8.
Celebrate completion
- Child registrations began in May and concluded in July.
- Inauguration day was Oct. 10, and all the spaces are being used as planned, with new members continuing to join the church.
The Impact of Your Support
The church had a deep impact on the families from Palmeras. Participation from Pastor Jose Luis Siancas and church members has been crucial for the development and completion of the construction work, since they encouraged parents, children and local people to get involved in this process. Furthermore, they regularly conduct evangelistic campaigns and visit homes to teach the Word of God and encourage people to know God and learn about the Compassion program.
Objectives and Measures of Success
Primary objective
Provide a new building in Las Palmeras community in Paita province for holistic children development.
For the church, this building has given us the opportunity to help children in a comprehensive way, encouraging growth areas such as spiritual, physical, mental, linguistic, emotional and social. Our main challenge is to grow in knowledge and skills to give children better attention, so we can make a deeper impact in this community.
Indicators of Success
- All planned facilities were built on time and on budget.
- 200 children from Las Palmeras – the full, planned capacity – were registered and participate consistently.
Testimonies of Impact
Cecilia Cisneros Morales, is the mother of the beneficiary. She is grateful because her daughter can participate in a program where she receives opportunities for educational development and can learn about Jesus. “My husband and I are happy that our daughter may meet new friends and may be visited by her teachers, receiving a good treat,” Cecilia said.
For Viviana Chunga Farías, another mother of a registered child, having spiritual help blesses her family. The center has encouraged their church attendance and openness to the word of God. Her children are going to Sunday school and they are learning to pray. She said she is grateful for your help in the difficult times for her family, because you empowered the church to support her always.
Parent Q&A
María, the mother of Deysi, a child registered at the center, said she is grateful that you chose to help her community without even knowing them.
What was your life like before this project began?
In the past, Deysi was very shy and did not have many friends, so she was at home most of the time. Apart from that, she did not eat salads, because we did not have enough money to offer adequate nutrition.
How has your life changed now that this work is complete?
Our life has changed, because the sisters from the church were helping us to take care of our children in a better way; and teaching us the Word of God. We are feeling confident as a family since we have the Church and God’s help in everything.
What will this change mean for your future or the future of your family?
We will be more unified as a family and will learn more about values. We are sure that family health will improve. Furthermore, it is our hope that our daughter will study and be a professional.
Budget
This project was completed with funds that were budgeted thanks to Lenexa Baptist Church’s investment, support from Compassion, and dedicated participation from parents of registered children and members of the church. From construction help to preparation of food for the workers, men, women and even children from the community found ways to lend a hand.
Center Director Q&A
How have the lives of the affected beneficiaries been changed since this project’s completion?
Children have improved their behavior in different ways, such as greeting others kindly, not using bad words, and reacting well with their peers. Their parents have noticed their children’s changes, and for this reason they want their children to keep going to the center.
How has this undertaking benefitted the community?
Family connections are crucial for a community’s development and as a center, we have helped the whole community. Since the community is small, local people know where the church is and they are attending to seek refuge in God to overcome their problems.
What would you like to say to those who provided the financial support for this intervention?
We are very thankful for all of them, and during our devotionals, we always pray for them and their families, so that God keeps blessing them not just in their jobs, but also their ministries in the church. Apart from that, we encourage them to continue helping children in extreme poverty, because it’s beautiful to see them smiling when they get their help.
– Juan García Huaccillo
Child Development Center Director