What happens when God..... By Jim Thomas

What happens when God gives a few people a vision? If it is of Him, it will come to fruition. Well, the school house in Baja was a vision born when it was realized that children watching children were unable to go to school for their education. The result, there is no opportunity to change the culture of a people.

Not only was a building idea born for a school which provided child care along with teaching, but the building can be used for church services, Bible study, vocational training in sewing. It can and will become a beacon to the community to bring people to God through the expression of love by the body of Christ in Southwest Riverside County.

The plan for the actual construction was for 12-15 experienced builders to go down and “stick-build” the school from scratch. Materials would be dropped on Thursday and work would begin early Friday morning and culminate, according to predictions, shortly after noon on Saturday. Men may plan, but God moves as He deems.

When we came closer to our departure time, our numbers dwindled. Work conflicts, delayed passports, and/or wrong dates resulted in the numbers dropping significantly. We ended with 2 active contractors, 3 semi-experienced in construction, and 5 additional helpers making up the construction team from Murrieta Lamb’s. Pouring Out Hope brought an additional 10 helpers with them. What do you do with this group that was short on experience, but gifted in heart and desire? You build a school.

When the advance team arrived Thursday night, June 25, materials had not been delivered. What could we do? What happened? A crew went to the lumber yard to find our materials bundled, but no driver. We’d have to wait until 9:30 Friday morning for materials to be delivered. Once there, it all had to be unloaded by hand. The first pieces of lumber we needed were on the bottom of the stack. We all formed lines and had the truck unloaded in 30 minutes.

By the end of the first day, the floor, walls, and roof had been erected. Saturday saw the team put up the roofing, siding, doors, windows, and paint the school. This was all done by 1:30 p.m. Saturday.

We did run short of materials and a group will go down again on July 11 to hang drywall, paint trim, complete front and side landings, and build a cover over the front porch.

This experience with reduced numbers was likened to Gideon. He was told to field an army to defeat the Midianites. He started with 32,000 men and ended with 300 men. This small army defeated their enemies – with the power of God behind them. (Judges 6 and 7)

Well, our small army of workers came against initial discouragement and witnessed God’s hand working. What a joy it has been influencing a community in dire need, physically and spiritually. Having God use this ministry locally and in Mexico has been a true blessing. However, we know that our trips have been bathed in prayer for safety and this could not have been possible without the charitable giving from His children.

May God be Praised.

Jim Thomas
The Lamb’s Fellowship, Murrieta


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