"Then the king will say to those at his right hand, 'Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world; for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.' Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? And when was it that we saw you a stranger and welcomed you, or naked and gave you clothing? And when was it that we saw you sick or in prison and visited you?' And the king will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'"
Matthew 25:34-40
We are currently working together to build a new church in Los Héroes. At a November meeting of the nearest municipality's town council, we were able to share the 12-year story of our walking together ... through the bringing of electricity to the advocacy for the local school to the construction of earthquake resistant housing to the support of education. Central to the conversation were the numerous visits back and forth, and the stories of accompaniment during good times and tough times. Finally, one council member raised his hand and said, "I didn't want to say anything, but I have been curious for a long time as to why Pastor Santiago has not built himself a better church. Now I understand that this is a beautiful walk with the people. And now, it is time for a church." The town loaned the heavy equipment and small tools needed by the community of Los Héroes to build their new church.
The final worship service in the old church was held on Sunday, January 31 and included a special ceremony with Pastor Santiago Rodriguez, Senior, who built the original church with his own hands. The new church was built during February and March, with finish work planned for April. The new church was dedicated on March 24, 2010, on the 14th anniversary of the founding of the community.
- Watch a slide show of the construction process from start to finish
- Watch a slide show of the celebration and dedication service which was held on March 24, 2010
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