Celebrating God's faithfulness yet again...

On Sunday , our church celebrated God's faithfulness with a groundbreaking ceremony. After 16+ years of meeting in 2 different public school buildings (which were God's provision to our church!!) we broke ground to begin the process of constructing our very own church building. Warren, our pastor reminded us about the theme we had written on the cake at our 1st anniversary luncheon..."Celebrating God's faithfulness." 15 years later, that statement still rings true and will continue to ring true for all of eternity. Great is His faithfulness!! This was a family event...everyone brought a shovel--even the little ones :)

L carrying all the shovels to the ground breaking...can't you just see his muscles bulging?!

Mr. M, one of our very capable pastors who has overseen the entire building, bidding, financing process over these past few years...

Some of our kiddos in front of the sign on our church property...

Here it is...it is surreal to consider that in about a year there will be a church building on this property!! It is even more amazing to consider the many lives who will be touched as a result of our having a permanent home. The Lord already has ordained the steps of those who will one day enter this building...

Odesco and Jenkins ready to dig!
One of the things that hit me was the fact that our children, Lord willing will one day be married in this building ~ They have all participated in giving in some way to the building fund so this was a significant day for them as well~ The other thought that blessed me was God's perfect timing and kindness in having our Liberian children here for this time of celebration. This is now a part of their history...another event that adds permanence to them being built in here and grown in this soil. So years from now when they see pictures of the groundbreaking, the building process, and even our days of meeting in a school, they can say, along with many others,"I remember that!!"

Representatives from the building company were even a part of the celebration!...I'm praying they may some day walk the halls of the church they helped to build...but not as contractors, as a part of our church family:)

This is a picture of the 'original' church plant team sent out over 16 years ago...well, it is the original group plus many new spouses, 2 grandchildren and many other new kiddos! (we were without children when we first moved over!!)

The Jr and Sr High youth group with their fearless leaders...when this church started, there was no youth group....there were very few youth! It really is amazing to see how the Lord has grown our little church over the years :) And now this is what our children enjoy on a regular basis...what amazing grace!!

Thanks for sharing our joy!!