ThanksGiving thoughts

   The Revolution Tour is completed, what an amazing experience.

Revolution Update Tour 

   Over one month ago Stacy and I began a journey visiting eleven different churches that have been very involved with Solid Rock and the Revolution project.   The purpose was to bring over 530 individuals and organizations up to date regarding what has happened over the last two years since ground breaking in November of 2014 and what the the future holds. 
It was a wonderful time visiting an amazing array of different type of churches and meeting many people who have be very involved with Solid Rock for decades.
What I now better understand and appreciate is the variety of faiths involved with Solid Rock. Even though there are differences in how each church might praise the Lord or reach out to those in need, all of these churches are each praising and doing with the same underlying reason - to fulfill the message Jesus delivered asking that we recognize Him, the blessings God has placed on every one of us and that we are to serve others. 
Whether we praise thru contemporary or conservative services, rockin' electric music or traditional organ music, pews with kneeling bars or chairs arranged in a semi-circle - we are all acknowledging Him, trying to live our lives as He asked, searching within ourselves to find the unlimited love we all possess, and reaching out to those in need. 
From providing meals to thousands day after day, planting churches in far away places with church members relocating to be the roots of the new churches, reaching out to neighbors offering food clothing and shelter to people going through a difficult period in life - all of these things are being done by groups of people who really all belong to the same thing - the Body of Christ.

The hand of God lifting the Dominican Republic from turbulent waters

So as I told the interesting history of Solid Rock and explained what has happened with the project and then most importantly why this project is needed, it really came down to just one simple thing: This project will ensure that for decades to come the Poorest of the Poor have a place to go when they need health care, and they will be provided that care with loving, open arms and in the name of Christ the Lord. Care, love and hope will be provided to people with no expectations who have no feeling of entitlement, continuing many years of serving others. What an amazing gift to provide to people in need, and the Revolution will be the vehicle though which these works will continue for generations, raising so many, changing and saving lives.
   This Thanksgiving we are all fortunate to be celebrating the abundance that our blessed country provides to each of us, please stop, take a moment and communicate your love and appreciation to not just your friends and family but to everyone you encounter this holiday, we are the Body of Christ.    
   Thank you to all of the people and organizations that have made this project go from only a dream to a project well underway.
   So I ask if you would support people in the DR,  this project and help us ensure that the amazing works that have happened in these first 27 years will continue for 27 years and beyond.
   We are blessed.

Happy Thanksgiving!
   

Touring

November 1, 2016
We've been "on the road"!
Stacy and I have been in the States now approacing a month and we have visited several churches who have been supporters of the Revolution Project.

Illinois Farmland

Roanoke, VA - 2nd Pres

Concord, NC - Glorieta Baptist Church

Nashville, TN - 1st Pres

Peoria, IL - Northwoods

Indianapolis, IN - 2nd Pres

Ft Wayne, OH - Pine Hills

Wauseon, OH - Crossroads

It has been very meaningful to meet many of the people who have helped with the project historically, financially, prayerfully or physically! 
Historically - It was truly special to meet many of the people who have been an important part of the history of Solid Rock. The accomplishments of life-changing and life-saving events that have happened over the past 27 years is remarkable, so meeting some of the people involved in serving others has been very meaningful. 
Financially - It is amazing that because of the generosity and vision of 530+ people and organizations over $2.7M has been raised so far. These people and churches have invested in a dream that truly is becoming a reality, and it is only because of their investment that it is happening.
Prayerfully- The spiritual support is so appreciated, there have been numerous "God-coincidenses" while working on the project and I thank everyone for keeping the project and everyone involved in their prayers.
Physically - Thanks to the 100's of volunteers who have spent their money and limited vacation days to offer their time and talents helping onsite. The work done at the project by these teams has been a necessity, and going forward there is much to be done and some neat projects for teams to help with as we get closer to needing outbuildings, grounds and work on the building itself. 

It was extra special to see Dr Diller (87 yrs) at Crossroads, he was ready to build a new clinic soon after the hurricane and flood in 1998, so it is nice to be a small part in helping see his vision become a reality. His life's story is one of meeting the call of Christ, he has led an extraordinary life of serving others.


SRI has been a conduit thru which so many positive things have happened in the San Juan area, and with the completion of this facility we can ensure that the mission of Solid Rock and everyone involved can continue for many generations - SERVING THE POOREST OF THE POOR.  

The Reality - Higher Cost but same Vision  & Need

Being in-country has allowed Frank and me to arrive at a realistic construction estimate which is now $4.5M ... $1.5M more than the original campaign. We have a new campaign target but the same vision of why this facility is needed. We are building the fully equipped facility at a very efficient cost of $98 per square foot and are working daily to find ways to minimize costs.

So we are continuing to press forward but cautiously watching that your donations go as far as possible.

Very few capital projects by non-profits can pass 100% of donations on to the project, Solid Rock is doing that - there is no better way for you to help people in need. 

Perhaps you cannot take the time to offer your talents and travel abroad - please consider trusting that we will use your gracious gifts very carefully with a simple goal - building a facility from which people may Serve Others ... changing lives medically, spiritually and giving wonderful but very poor people a sense of hope.

And He sat down opposite the treasury, and began observing how the people were putting money into the treasury; and many rich people were putting in large sums. A poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which amount to a cent. Calling His disciples to Him, He said to them, “Truly I say to you, this poor widow put in more than all the contributors to the treasury; for they all put in out of their surplus, but she, out of her poverty, put in all she owned, all she had to live on.” Mark 12 41-44

End of September 2016 Update

Fall is here - it is a beautiful cool evening here!

It has been raining almost regularly in the afternoons, as I mentioned in an earlier post this has been nice for cooler evenings but has caused some issues with progress at the job.

Below is a video showing the work we completed last week on 76 columns. These were "integral" columns meaning they were to be part of a wall. The concrete not only creates the column but also locks the adjacent walls to the column making for a very strong entity.

We are beginning work on installing the water supply lines now that all drain lines are in place. We will also get any electrical conduits that need to run into the roof slab installed so we can begin forming the beams that lock the tops of the walls together and span doorways,etc. 

I hope to see you at one of the October/November Update Tour stops 

- please see info below and verify closer to the date on the Solid Rock Website.

Wednesday, October 12
Roanoke, VA
Second Presbyterian Church – Roanoke
7:00pm

Sunday, Oct 16th  during "Pop-Up" Sunday School in Roanoke at 10am

Monday, October 17

Concord, NC
Glorieta Baptist Church
7:00pm
Heavy Hors D’oeuvres Provided

Wednesday, October 19
Nashville, TN
First Presbyterian Church – Nashville
5:30pm
Dinner Provided

Tuesday, October 25
Peoria, IL
Northwoods Community Church – The Factory
7:00pm
Refreshments Provided

Wednesday, October 26
Indianapolis, IN
Second Presbyterian Church – Indianapolis
5:00pm

Thursday, October 27
Fort Wayne, IN
Pine Hills Church – Student Ministry Room
7:00pm
Dessert & Coffee Bar Provided
Please RSVP by October 20th to Annette Melvin | annettem@pinehillschurch.com | 260.637.3198 X2100

Sunday, October 30
Wauseon, OH
Crossroads Evangelical Church
3:00pm
Coffee & Snacks Provided

Wednesday, November 16
Spartanburg, SC
First Presbyterian Church – Spartanburg
6:30pm

Thursday, November 17
Gainesville, GA
Griffeth Home | 3918 Cochran Rd | Gainesville, GA 30506
7:00pm
Dessert Provided
Please RSVP to 770-287-4766

As always, thank you for your 

prayers and financial support!

September Update and Invitation

Construction has progressed the past month getting columns formed and many plumbing pipes installed. 
We are working out some structural elements with the architect and a structural engineer so we can begin work on vigas (beams). 

Below is a video with a few different sections:

- showing the construction work
- an aerial flyover view from a drone !
- an Invitation to learn more

Here is another shot from above:

As always, thank you for supporting this project with your prayers and financial support, we are working as frugally as possible stretching every dollar that has been donated. 

Also, thanks for your prayers and financial support for Stacy and me during this time in the DR! 

It Is Becoming a Reality, Help It Happen

It is always helpful to be reminded ...

please take the time to watch and you will understand why we are building a new clinic. 

I appreciate this video more than ever, perhaps because I have had a 2-1/2 hour discussion with Dr Caceres and know his passion and better understand the needs in this area of the world.

Thank you for supporting the REVOLUTION

 with your prayers and financial support.

“The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate,
to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” 

― Ralph Waldo Emerson

A full and amazing summer

First a construction update: 

Many windows will provide natural ventilation

It is now mid-August, and the project construction has made great progress this summer. After laying almost 70,000 block, we now have walls at least 9' high. 

Plumbing vent pipes

Workers are now in the process of installing plumbing pipes that will run under the floors and inside walls. We will also be forming and pouring concrete for about 90 columns, this will be followed by structural beams that span doors and windows. 

looking north

So we are finally at the "rough-in" stage, a time requiring final decisions of where electrical and plumbing devices will be located. It really is becoming a building!

the perimeter security wall that has been
 built by volunteer teams this year

The construction teams have built 200 meters of wall so far this year, and it is almost to the southeast corner of the property. We will now have two sides of the property defined with these walls which will provide good security.  



This month is a slow one at the Guest House because it is a time to recharge from the many vbs/construction teams that were here in June and July and get ready for a very full schedule in the fall. 

I am looking forward to teams returning in September so they can continue this valuable work.

a 180 degree view of the perimeter wall built by our wonderful volunteer teams looking from SE to NW - the walls are behind the yuca and plantains!

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Stacy's sunflowers

And Second ... Its been an amazing summer  

This has been such a wonderful summer for Stacy and me for many reasons:

- The project has made great progress as discussed above - it is great to see meaningful progress and now be working with a great construction team. I want our time here in the DR to be efficient and well spent, so seeing walls arise has been very rewarding.

- We celebrated many birthdays ... mine, Stacy's, our son Tim's and even his new wife's (more on that later!),a mom turning 80 and a dad turning 85!

- We celebrated our 30th anniversary! My how time flies by, its been a great 30 years spent with my best friend. 

- July marked 20 years since waking up one morning with a serious heart issue. There aren't many days that I don't stop and appreciate the many days since that summer.

God's coloring book - water off of the Keys

- We enjoyed a fun family get together to celebrate my parent's 60th anniversary gathering near where we spent many days on the water off of the Florida Keys back in the 70's. 

Uh oh, time to head for the dock!

Proud parents with a new daughter!

- And we gained a wonderful second daughter with the marriage of our son Tim to Ruby! 





God is good, and we are extremely fortunate and blessed for so many reasons.  


Living here in the DR we definitely have a clear understanding and appreciation for the abundance and comforts of a life in the United States.  There are so many things that we all take for granted living in the US or even here in the DR, and this is simply a fact and result of being raised in such an amazingly comfortable and abundant society. It is what we know and have always known.  

But it is good to be reminded of that abundance and appreciate it, recognize it and not take it for granted. Our egos have an amazing capacity to generate expectations that can then lead us to finding something wrong even among the most beautiful and comfortable of situations. We should strive to overcome those expectations and appreciate all that is available, every day. 

Give thanks to God and think of those who are not in your place of comfort, those struggling for food, clothing or shelter.

Serve Others. 

Thanks for you continued prayers 

and financial support!

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace. 1 Peter 4:10

August update - walls are standing

Its August, 2016 and we have walls!

This week the plumbing workers start installing pipes for the roof drains and the drain pipes that will be under floors. This will be an important step because we need the roof drain pipes in place before any beams are poured and the drain pipes will need to be properly sloped, and we have a limited depth in which to run them.

We are also working with our structural engineer and architect on the structural beam designs, there are some details that we need to clarify so that we build these as specified. The 2010 earthquake in Haiti impacted all construction here in the DR, and there are some details that we need. Once we have the answers we need carpenters will begin forming these beams that will span all window and door openings as well as where we will have the translucent domes. 

The picture above  is the result of my first attempt at flying a drone over the site. It is a basic drone so flying it is a bit tricky and the pictures aren't 1080p, but it is really neat to see the building from above. I hope to post more pictures or even a video later this week.

Please stay tuned for more updates!

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Thank you for prayers and financial support. Because I am volunteering here, please consider a monthly gift or a one time gift that will help with our living expenses here in the DR. You may do so online or by sending a check:

(you can click one of the links below:)
Solid Rock International

Second Presbyterian Church - Roanoke, VA

GoFundMe.com