Construction – November 7 and 8, 2011
In the early 1960s many churches in Cuba were closed. Abandoned, many fell in disrepair. The ones that were not closed were like a treasure for the believers, where they could gather in large groups for congregate worship. Now those exciting churches are running out of space.
Unlike in the US, in Cuba when a church building is not available there is no option to meet in a school gym, rent a theater or find space in a shopping center. And financially, like many churches in the States, they’re unable to construct new buildings.
So, church buildings get re-invented and remodeled to use every inch of space available.
The church in Remedios holds three Sunday services: two in the morning at 8:30 and 10:30 and one at 8:30 PM. And they are out of space.
Construction…or rather demolition started today. Old concrete beams and columns built without a permit have to come down. Andres, Ivan, Alexis, Umberto, Alibex and JR have been busy all day chipping away the old concrete to get to the re-bar that it holds in place. It’s hard work. And it’s taken all day, using a small electric chipping hammer and huge demolition hammer.
I feel this is such a minor job compared to all the energy invested and all that needs to be done. But then God reminds me that this is not a small job; this is important work. Needed. Essential, before we can move forward.
Now the floor is full of chunks of cement that are going to be used to improve the entrance road to a farm. Repurposing is good.
Rachel
Siunds like y'all are having a blast. Wish i could be there. Tell everyone I said hi.
ReplyDeleteGreat work on the post, it is like we are there through your words. Thanks for doing a job that I know it is hard for you. Keep us inform. See you Saturday.
ReplyDeleteReading about all the construction reminds me of the theologian C.S. Lewis thoughts from Mere Christianity. (As a teacher, I would underline the book title, but Google doesn't allow me too!)
ReplyDelete"IMAGINE YOURSELF as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what he is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on: you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised.
But presently he starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make sense. What on earth is he up to? The explanation is that he is building quite a different house from the one you thought of — throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards.
You thought you were going to be made into a decent little cottage: but he is building up a palace. He intends to come and live in it himself.
C.S. Lewis, in Mere Christianity
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So glad to hear that we, as followers of Jesus, in America were able to partake in the building of the church in Cuba... the one that Jesus intends to come and live it in himself... and I pray that He does the same in my own heart.
-el