In a fitting conclusion to the construction, Portland Christian Center blocked the fourth and final floor of the Jehovah Jireh Good Shepherd School. This experienced construction team was the first team that started construction in May 2007, laying the difficult basement retaining wall. As the seventh and last team, they blocked the entire fourth floor, including four classrooms, restrooms and an auditorium. Their work included forming and pouring bond beams above the 11th course in every wall. The group ranged from 14 to 17 individuals during the 15 days of the trip.

The team enjoyed a day trip to Colon, the port city located on the Caribbean side of the Panama Canal that ended with a tour of the Visitor Center at the Miraflores locks on the Pacific side. The team was also able to visit the Canaan and Monte de Sion Good Shepherd Schools, attending services on two different Sundays. Portland has had an important role in the construction of both of these schools. The team attended a chapel service and farewell church service on the last night where the church and school recognized their important work.

Pastor Johnny Saucedo highlighted the significance of the fourth story. “This school and the construction of this building have been a testimony to not just this community, but also to the thousands and thousands that pass by the church and school each day. This is a miracle!” The four story building is the tallest within a square mile. The auditorium on the fourth floor will also serve as a prayer room. From this vantage point, looking beyond the busy Tocumen Highway towards Panama City, one can see the expanse of tract housing and neighborhoods, home to more than 200,000 of the more than one million that live in the Greater Panama City area.

The shell and classroom divisions of the school are nearly complete. Although no additional teams are planned for this project, there is still much work to be done. A small amount of blocking remains in the stairwell, the open areas where materials have been brought up to each floor, façade above the roof line and in some areas over the bond beams.  The next step will be to put on the “stucco” layer on the exterior of the building. Our goal is to finish the first and second floor by March. This will allow the school to move out of the rented apartments next to the school. When all four floors are completed, the capacity of the school will double from 350 to over 700.

Thank you, team leader David Martin, Pastor Bob Ward and team members, for coming to Panama and for your hard work and witness. Thank you, Pastor Ray Noah and congregation for your generous construction offering. What you have sown by your investment of time and finance, will result in lives being transformed by the power of the gospel and equipped to also be invested in God’s kingdom.

Please pray with us that God would provide sufficient funds for the work remaining, including interior stucco and painting, doors and windows, electrical, plumbing and drop ceiling. If you are able to help, please send your offerings to:

Assemblies of God World Missions
Jireh School, Project 7795
1445 Boonville Ave.
Springfield, MO 65802