Thanksgiving party

Praise God that Harvest Chapel was able to host a Thanksgiving Party on Saturday, November 22nd. It was the first major event that was held at the new location. Even though it took a lot of preparation to get the place ready, it was fantastic to see around 50 people attending, of whom about 36 did not attend a church regularly!

We had a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with a lot of turkey, stuffing, and, of course, pies. Ruth was able to make everything with some help of some Australian short-termers who are staying with us for most of December.

We were also able to invite an a cappella student group from Hirosaki University who gave us a great performance of some classic English songs, using only their voices to make the music. They were a very lively bunch and we all enjoyed their company very much. We hope to invite them back to a pizza party with the Aussies.

The Aussies also gave us a rendition of a traditional Australian song, Waltzing Matilda, adding a bit of their personal flair.

It was good to see so many people attend, especially so many who do not yet have a saving relationship with the Lord Jesus. Please pray that God used the message Martin gave to bring them one step closer to becoming followers of Him. We really are thankful in all the ways the Lord has blessed Harvest Chapel so far.

A New Start

Yes it is official- Harvest Chapel is up and running.
The building had no running water, no kitchen, no heating on Nov 9 when worship services began, but people joyfully came to celebrate God's goodness. Since then we have had some people pull back from helping start, other people commit. We are currently at 6 people for whom this is their church home.The entryway is waiting for siding, a cross, and a signboard- still you can enter the building.
The building has changed- the multipurpose room, was a 4 car garage. When the sanctuary is finished, this will be the classroom and dining room.
Since Nov 9th , the roof has been put on the entryway addition, water and sewage are hooked up, heating stoves installed, and the kitchen usable.
In addition to having 4 worship services in the new facility, there have been 2 parenting classes, 2 wreath making classes, 8 English classes and a sit down Thanksgiving meal for 50 people.

A new ad was finally made for the chapel and it was delivered to the 200 homes in the village where the chruch is located.

Upcoming special plans are for a cooking class on the 11th and a Christmas meeting on the 20th.
The open house/barbeque on Nov 1st had a number of people from parenting classes and special meetings. We pray they will connect.
The Thanksgiving Party had turkey and pie- and the rest of course. 50 people sat down to eat and then there were games after. The gymn has been well used. It was an apple and box storage area but its nice to have a place where people can run at will.


So where is the chapel at with regards to finances- little by litle renovation costs are being paid for. The big challenge is the land purchase- the final payment needs to be made March 1st and we have none of the required funds. But as God has led, so He will provide.

Garden Test Passed

The field next to Harvest Chapel needed a crop grown before the church could buy it for parking and a kids play area. Squash, corn, beans and tomatos were grown. An application was submited to the Farm Review Board and it passed. So we have the green light to submit the papers requesting rezoning of the land- the church can't buy farmland so it has to be zoned multipurpose.

So we now have a pile of squash, a freezer full of corn and beans. Thank you Jesus.


And the renovation continues. A 70 some year old man who is thrilled at the new church start vision comes every day Martin is onsite to help with whatever needs done.
Building is definitely different without teenage boys helping!! 2 days a week instead of an allout effort makes progress slow- however, English calsses were help on Oct 2.
Hopefully I remember the camera this week.

Garden Produce

While the summer team was here, the garden was put in. Corn, beans and squash. Well harvest time has come- be nice to have the team back. Ruth and Naomi picked beans for 2 hours and only got done 1 1/2 of 6 rows. Thankfully we all like beans and we know that at least we will have beans this winter.

The corn and squash are looking very good too.

Renovation

The shutters are no longer down- walls are going in.

The future dining/fellowship room mostly has a floor- finish framing it in tomorrow, and 4 walls. The sliding glass door is not in place yet. Plumbing starts tomorrow by a contractor, and electricity has begun.

The entryway and toilets are framed and cement poured. Need to build something that looks like an entryway and put a cross on it.

The men poured the footings for the wall in the santuary as well- the floor in there will have to wait until funds are in hand.

With only Wednesday and Thursday fro Harvest, the weeks go by very fast.

As a result the launch team decided to put off the official start until November. That should give lots of time to get things moving- maybe even have parking by then.

Purchased at Last

The search began last October, narrowed down in January to the place purchased at the end of July. The application for rezoning was approved on July 29th, the deal was completed on the 30th. Beauce of the Ghents vacation, renovation did not begin until today. Alas, I did not take a camera... next week.
The wallboard was ripped off and cleaned up and the framing for the floor begun.
Lack of lights and energy means the floor will not be down until next week.

The elders have begun a cash only policy- no more loans if at all possible. Pray that we would have all that is essential get get up and running.

The Garden

One of the conditions for buying the field next to the Harvest Chapel site is that a crop is grown.

The owner has no intention to grow anything so it is up to us. With the summer team and the Mortleys help, that goal is well on the way to being met.

Squash, corn, tomatoes and beans are all starting to produce.

Hopefully the paperwork can start soon- it will take about 5 months for rezoning etc.

Picture taken in July.