Thursday, May 15, 2008

The New Building--BEFORE

Well, it's official. The contract is signed and we should be getting the keys soon. Now the remodeling begins. We've got just over a month to get it ready. I've been saying for a while how excited I am to tell you about this building so I thought I'd show you why:

Here it is from the front. Not bad; plenty of room for our sign.
 

And this is what you see when you look out the front windows. The dirt is from a major construction project at the mall just down the way.
 

This is the view looking left...
 

...and looking right. So we're giving up our building that was PRACTICALLY on the ocean road for one that is directly on it. Oh, the sacrifices.


But, you might be saying now, what about the actual building?

Like I said, we need to do some renovating.

This is what you see when you first walk in. A little primer is definitely in order.



But that's not the half of it, as this next picture reveals. There are some rather conspicuous...um..."architectural elements" left from the previous owners.


Yes, that's what you think it is. And if you put two and two together, you can figure out what this place was.

It's a little gross and it's going to take a whole lot of bleach and primer to get it to how we want it to be. But what a story! Our church building will be a wonderful object lesson about redemption and sanctification, about how we were once full of bad things but now have been made holy. I love it.

We didn't just choose it because it makes a good story. It's also a wonderful facility in a great location.

I'll try to keep you updated on the renovation progress. As I've said, it's going to be a HUGE job and we don't have that much time to do it! Please keep us in your prayers as we figure out all the logistics of the move and the renovations. Pray that this building that was once Satan's tool can be transformed into a powerful tool for the Lord. Pray that the new neighborhood will be open to our arrival and that we will attract many new people. Pray that our members will have an easy transition into the new building and location. And finally, please give God thanks for making it all work out! 
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8 comments:

Anonymous said...

ILOVEthosecolors!&theLOCATION!!SOex4y'all!thankUGOD!GladMike/DebcanBwU

Anonymous said...

YEA!thanx4thepics!!Luvy'all!hugTT!

Jennifer Schroeder said...

You guys are in my prayers. The building looks great and what a beautiful location. Yes, I think the pole probably should come down.

Heather A said...

Well, isn't that a great picture to show my friends and supporters to say, "That, ladies and gentlemen, is my new office." But, yes this will make a great story, and I'm way excited to see what wonderful things God is going to do in this new place! I will be there SO soon!!

Anonymous said...

We're very excited for the congregation there and think this location and facility will bring you new opportunities. God has worked in mysterious ways for all of us, hasn't he!! I know you will have some intense work ahead, but God will continue to bless you. Our prayers are with our brothers and sisters at ICOS.

BTW, we had a fellow from Sao Paulo at FriendSpeak this week. He was very interested to learn that you were in Salvador--he was born in Fortaleza--a neighbor, he said. (We have about 30 or so involved with FriendSpeak now--every week someone new shows up--you know how that goes!)

Love,
Mom T.

Jennifer C. Valerie said...

Congratulations on the new building. Be sure to pray a prayer of cleansing over every nook and cranny of this place as you physically clean it as well. Blessings.
Jenn

Amanda said...

That is soooo exciting and hilarious at the same time! I look forward to seeing the transformation.

Anonymous said...

Is that the church? Funky red

www.sweetredwines.info