The Initial (1st) Phase of this Project is complete.It consisted of the following:
We purchased approximately five (5) acres of land in the adjoining community of Pueblo Nuevo, directly in front of the CommunityElementary School
We built a Parsonage; a publicly accessible bathroom; and an open-air Children's Church on the land. (The Parsonage also serves as a temporary Mission Headquarters for VLM in the Northern Region)
We began Community Outreach, particularly to children & youth groups
We began daily radio programming to the entire Community, (which also extends 35 miles out into the surrounding river communities of the Region)
We began Bible Studies and Worship Services at the Center
We began home visitations
We have built and established this FamilyLifeCenter as a point-of-contact for relational development within the Community. (Pictures enlarge below) At present, approximately 70 people are participating regularly; praying that we will be able to purchase land and build a church in the main community of Magdalena.
Present Radio Broadcasting
Pastor Ruben broadcasts radio programs five days per week. At present, we utilize one hour per day of air time purchased from El Chorro, the public radio station in Magdalena. We also broadcast another one hour per day from EL Mana, the private radio station of another church in the Community.
The 2nd Phase of this Project is to purchase a centralized plot of land in Magdalena and build a traditional church. This will consist of the following:
We need to purchase another 5 to 8 acres of land - Approximate cost: $1800
The 1st Phase of building this church will be to raise a 20 x 20 meter open-air structure and begin use - Approximate cost: 6K to 8K
The 2nd Phase of building this church will be to enclose a rear portion; creating office and securable storage space - Approximate cost: 2K
The 3rd Phase of building this church will be to raise walls and enclose the structure.Approximate cost: 3K
The church will be named, 'King of Kings' church. It will serve as the VLM permanent headquarters in the ItenezProvince
(Building is planned considering a possible 4th Phase expansion)
We are presently seeking a centralized plot of land in Magdalena.There is however the possibility that this church 'could' be built on the dairy farm which we hope to purchase as a site for our school/university in Phase Three of the Project.
King of KingsChurch
The planned structure above is an open-air, palm-roof cabana; enclosed at the three rear-walls (right) but open-air in the others, until we can later expand to double this capacity and enclose/finish-in the entire structure.
We are presently seeking a centralized plot of land for this Church
The story is a long one, but the short of it is Pr Ruben's vision is to raise a new church in Magdalena for a minimum of 10% of the population. Since there are approximately 5,000 people living in and near the town, the church must then support a minimum of 500 people. (The finished design stage will support a capacity of 1,500)
God was specific in directing us to design the church in this octagonal style. With raised stadium-style seating, the Word will be shared 'with people from a centered closeness' verses preaching at people from a podium/pulpit in front of them.
Church Complex
The design layout for the church grounds can be seen above
(Please forgive the low quality of the photo)
This present grounds layout will include the following:
The church building itself will be octagonal in shape; 12 x 15 meters or 15 x 20 meters (depending on our funding)
The church will be built to it's planned 1st stage and then activated
The 2nd stage building of offices & secure storage space should take place within 24 months.Local church members will be expected to raise at least 'half' of the funding to do this.
The 3rd stage enclosing of walls will hopefully take place within 60 months.Local church members will be expected to raise at least ?one-third' of the funding to do this.
All purchases and construction are done on a 'cash-only' basis.
As God provides, we work.We do not create debt
Magdalena Project
3rd Phase Plans & Vision
(Developed Dairy Farm: All Land, Structures & Animals)
The 3rd Phase of this Project is to build a school/community college on the land below. This Phase will consist of the following stages:
Purchase the 21 acre Dairy Farm, using farm income to accumulate building funds for school
Build a 1st phase Elementary school; establish a certified school operation
Initiate a 2nd phase use of the school; use building in evening hours as a certified community college operation andBibleSchool
Utilize school & farm income to:
oSupport elderly in the community
oFund Evangelistic outreach in this Northern Region
oTrain local missionaries
If we were able to purchase this farm, we would probably build the 2ndPhaseChurch here as well, since the land is no more than 10 minutes walk from the center of Magdalena.
Even with the fall of the dollar's value; these are still, (in my opinion), ridiculously cheap prices for land, structure, and animals. We are convinced that this is the perfect location for the future Community College and that we should act to make this purchase, both for the later use of the land and also because it will give us an immediate source of local, self-supporting income.
We cannot however accomplish this on our own. We are an independent, non-denominational entity. No outside agency supports us financially. Thus, all that we do is based on the love donations received from thosewhose hearts have been moved by God to get financially involved.
Our part is to be here and do our best to serve God's purpose in the Name of Christ. And as we become convinced of God's will and direction, we step-out with our own lives in faith, 'believing' in God's faithfulness to responsibly supply for what is His will & work, not our own.
