The vision, to construct accommodation for up to 350 street children. In March, one skilled builder, and a few volunteer unskilled helpers, were able to achieve in the initial construction. Despite the fact that it was the rainy season, impossible to describe, it’s like a waterfall! and the team was on a 4th floor roof, totally exposed to the elements as they toiled to complete the essential steelwork.

By the grace of God the work was multiplied and the money stretched to achieve what was needed. By the time we left, the whole shell was in place, with multiple trusses that had to be made by hand, not bought (in an attempt to save on the budget)

At the end of July, the team will be in Cali again , the roof has now been erected in preparation for phase 2. This phase will be the most expensive, involving external brickwork, and effectively the whole layout of rooms (walls, etc), electrics, drains, and so on.

The project will be completed during a third trip in October/November, when we will hand over the keys to a brand new property which will transform the lives of 350 street children and allow 3 missions to operate within this troubled part of the world to provide medical and dental treatments as well as vocational training and a basic education to people who otherwise would be lost.

The building will be used by a wonderful lady, Dr Ana Elisa Bustos who has devoted her life to save the children from the streets of Cali The kids will not only be protected, fed, cared for, clothed: they’ll be taught – education, taught about Jesus, English (absolutely essential in current Latin America), they’ll have medical & dental treatment, and, in time, they’ll be taught trades.

It will also be used to plant a church, in a very difficult, unchurched area of the city, which is a wonderful ‘bonus’ – planted by long-time friends from the church ‘Mision El Abrigo’, Hein & Teija Hoere, and Wilmar & Marlene Gomez.

lives will change forever as a result?