Berean Bible Church Sends Men on Missions Trip
Short Term Missions Trip to Uruguay, South America

A group of six men from Berean Bible Church volunteered to help build a church in Colonia, Uruguay. that was completed in the span of only four weeks. The organization that orchestrated this effort is known as CWE - Construction for Worldwide Evangelism (www.cweforthegospelsake.org). One of CWE's goals is: "ASSIST missionaries in the construction of facilities to accommodate the preaching of God's Word. Our objective is to eliminate the years of planning and construction encountered by missionaries whose time is better spent ministering to the people."  They plan the project from the ground, up and organize the equipment/tools, building materials, food requirements, airline tickets, etc. needed for four teams of 16 men and 4 women.  The teams work one week each, to build a church for missionaries and national pastors on the foreign fields.

Our men's work details on the new church took place on week #2 for two of the men and week #3 for the other four.  Each week has specific assignments to accomplish.  It's amazing to have the entire building completed and ready for furniture and their first Sunday Service after only four weeks.

This short term missions trip helped open the eyes of more people than just the six men that went on the trip.  It impacted their families and many folks throughout the community. This effort touched fellow workers at the men's work places after they returned with interesting stories. We have no idea how many people were impacted by a few men leaving their comfort zone,  following God's will.  But, for those men and their families it was a trip to remember for the rest of their lives.  They've expressed strong interest in helping out again on other missions trips organized by CWE.

The snapshots to the right show the work done for the Gospel's sake.  

 The work detail for week #2 was to build the roof, add the fascia and soffit as well as install the front entry.

There were bonds made between men as they were able to share their thoughts on the job and during devotion time each evening.  

With the scheduled work being completed ahead of time, the guys were more than happy to take on tasks slated for the following week.  That's what makes it great working for God!

Week #3 poured the concrete for the floors & sidewalks, and ran water lines and drains. Several ditches were dug - a nice workout for the guys.

The culture of Uruguay is very interesting and in some ways a look back in time.
There are photos of the experiences that the teams had while traveling throughout Colonia and Montevideo, Uruguay. Some show several modes of transportation used by the folks. 

We were told that the city of Colonia, is the oldest city in South America, settled in the 1600's. The teams took pictures of the scenery when they took a tour of it on the last day, before heading to the airport.  The cobblestone streets lined with  sycamore trees were absolutely beautiful.

The airport - Sunday afternoon.     The original church.

Their first glimpse - after week #1.  Build the trusses first.

All were built by the afternoon.     Crane cancelled - installed by hand.

Several men place the trusses       Trusses are up on day #1.

                                                  ^{The Nationals mix mortar for stucco.} 
 

                       
                    By day 2, the purlins we on and the sheet metal almost completed. 

                        
 The men worked well together to complete all the scheduled tasks... ahead of time!
 

                                 
 Guys were mixing and pouring concrete on week #2 which helped out week #3.

 

                                
 The ladies that went kept everyone well fed and re-hydrated. And such an inspiration, too.

                                               
         The guys working during week #3 saw concrete trucks in their dreams.

                        
 Horses with carts were common in the urban/rural areas. Vintage cars were all over.

                                       
  Horse and carts were on open roads, too.       How do you parallel park them?