In April, 23 volunteers left their homes behind to lift up the El Dorado Seventh-day Adventist Church–literally. The group was organized by Maranatha Volunteers International to build an expansion for the Kansas congregation. El Dorado worshippers were forced to hold church services and potluck meals in the same space. And they didn’t have enough room for Sabbath school classes or outreach activities. Volunteers on the project were inspired to help solve this problem. And while raising the walls of El Dorado’s addition, they demonstrated the increased strength of humanity when we stand beside each other.
“Every single day I thanked all the volunteers over and over for their dedication and hard work,” said El Dorado pastor Francois Erasmus. “They can perhaps not fully grasp the impact they have made in El Dorado and how fully appreciated they are by everyone.”
El Dorado’s new space includes a fellowship hall, kitchen, and children’s classrooms–all things their original structure lacked. The congregation has big plans for their expansion. “At a minimum, it will provide us a place to have fellowship meals together,” explained Erasmus. “The plan also is for us to have bridging events in the addition. We’re already looking at having some cooking classes there.”
As Erasmus worked with volunteers on the project, he found himself inspired by their sacrifice. “At least in one of the cases, someone took vacation. So instead of resting or going away, he took his vacation to help us,” recalled Erasmus. “This is what the Church is supposed to be,” he said. “It was very uplifting. It touched my heart deeply.”
Towards the end of the project, volunteers rested briefly from their work to write messages of dedication on the frame they constructed. “It was an opportunity for people to write a message that is meaningful to them–a Bible promise that is meaningful to them,” explained Erasmus. Although the notes will soon be hidden by insulation and drywall, the El Dorado Church building stands as a visible reminder of what is possible when we lift each other up.
Each year, Maranatha works with organizations in the United States and Canada to provide volunteer labor for various construction or renovation projects at summer camps and retreat centers, schools, and churches. Work ranges from renovations of existing buildings to new construction, and saves thousands of dollars in labor costs.