Marcy and Lisa grew up together from about age 2. This was their third medical mission together. They stay in contact with each other even though they live about 1400 miles apart.

Please remember the new construction going on in La Palma. A new auditorium/fellowship bulding is under construction right now! Also remember that money is needed for this construction and for increased monthly costs for the school.

God bless you, Ralph

Please continue to pray for the La Palma mission work, and that funds will come in to cover the cost of construction.

Please pray that God will provide the needed funds for the new auditorium and for the increased monthly costs for the new facility.
God bless you, Ralph

Growth in the Kingdom of God is good, even though it costs time and money and effort to make it happen! We are convinced that growth of the facilities in La Palma is now necessary to continue to grow the Kingdom and to grow self-supporting Christian young people there.

Those of you who have been there know that the auditorium overflows for Sunday worship. That can be discouraging to growth. You also know that the classrooms for the school are poorly arranged (of necessity) and do not give good utilization of the small spaces that are available. You know that the playground is accessible only after climbing some very steep steps with inadequate handrails; in fact, it can be hazardous to get there. You know that the highway so close to the building creates a safety hazard for children playing near the school. And you know that the truck and bus noise often stops the teaching/preaching. Security is inadequate as evidenced by the loss of the best computer system one night.

Now the education ministry mandates improvements in school facilities. As mentioned, several options were considered. A good plan has been developed for combination of the school, church, and preacher school in a much larger facility that offers security and safety. The new auditorium will have 363% more space! The total facility, when completed, will have 368% more space! And there is room for even more growth in the future.

The task before us is huge: we must raise $40,000 by the first of June! At the beginning of July we will have to pay significantly more in rent. Will you help? Will you examine your own ability to contribute to this growth? Will you tell your friends and neighbors about a town where people will still come to hear the Gospel preached? Where they will allow you to come into their homes and teach the Bible? Where even the poorest of children can attend a Christian School and learn how to make a living AND how to make a life? Where Christians gather in each others' homes throughout the week to encourage one another?

We know that God has blessed this mission effort in the past and firmly believe that He will continue to do so. The people of La Palma need your help.

Please send donations to the Monett Church of Christ, PO Box 172, Monett, MO 65708. In the memo line on your check tell whether it is a one-time donation (toward the building fund) or the first of regular donations toward the monthly cost of rent.

God bless you. Ralph

This is the new building that will be used by the La Palma Christian School for classroom, computer lab, administrative and storage use. It will also house the interrim preacher school and possibly some living quarters. It is a poured concrete structure with brick veneer outside. Even the internal walls are poured concrete, and so is the roof--making it easy to add a second floor as soon as funds are available.

You can see that there is playground space (much more than the present facility) and a beautiful view of the mountains. There is also a good security fence, although some fence work is needed on the back side.

We believe this is the best place for the school and church to be for the next several years. We have trusted God to help us get the funding needed for the increased rent and other costs plus the cost of the construction of the auditorium.

God bless you,
Ralph

This is Lisa, another missionary who likes to hold babies and kids! You can tell by the smile that she is enjoying the trip and getting to hold a snuggling baby.

OK, let's continue the story about the facility for the school, church, and preacher school:

This property, that was a former dental clinic, has 2 buildings on it--one with 4 classrooms that meet the guidelines of the education ministry and the main building which has 1 large classroom and space for the computer lab, administrative offices, storage, interrim space for the preacher school, a utility room, and some space for living quarters. The property itself is large enough for a good playground and to build an auditorium. It is secure with a fence all around and locking gate at the entrance. There are security lights as well.

The auditorium being constructed will be 40' by 50' with a small kitchen at the back so the building can do double duty as a fellowship hall. There will be only a few pews at the front and the remainder of the seating will be stackable or folding chairs.

The rent on this property is going to be about $1100 monthly (starting in July) compared to the present $400 monthly. The cost of the auditorium is $40,000 (due by the end of June). The cost of growing the church and the Christian School just went up significantly! Not growing either of them is not an option. We are going to be asking more churches and individuals to help on a one-time basis toward the construction cost as well as monthly support for the cost of rent and teacher salaries.

We believe it is God's will that this mission work continue to grow. Please help us make that happen!

Tomrrow there will be photos of the new facility and some more details.

God bless you,
Ralph

Barbara is another nurse who has been on several trips and loves children. Here she hugs one of the sponsored children.

When the team went to La Palma in early February, there was one task that was extremely important to complete: locate and negotiate for a suitable facility for the La Palma Christian School, the La Palma Church of Christ, and the La Palma Bible Institute (preacher school). The deadlines to submit a plan and for moving the school were rapidly approaching.

The team looked at several options from bare land to a large motel, but one stood out as a logical choice. A former dental clinic was vacant and available for lease in a very good location. It had sufficient space for the school and for the preacher school for the present time, but it lacked an auditorium for the congregation to worship in. The owner was willing to build an auditorium to our specifications if we would 'front' him the construction costs.

All of the other options considered were found inadequate for size, location, security, or price reasons. The former dental clinic seemed to be what God had in mind as other options closed out. There was some very serious negotiating done to get an agreement that was good for both parties.

The mission leadership team took another big leap of faith and made a deposit on the property for a long-term lease and the new auditorium. The new construction is to be complete in early June and possession of the property will take place then- in advance of the deadline to move.

Come back tomorrow for more of the story!