Aguascalientes, MeXico - Spring 2016

The team worked exclusively on the new seminary building. We worked on two projects: building aluminum window frames and installing metal roof panels along the back length of the buildings over the veranda. The window frame project was the principle work. The window frames are built from scratch to fit the unique window openings which are formed in the concrete and brick walls. Each opening is different and varies in irregularity. There are two types of frames: singles and doubles. Singles consist of one fixed frame and one slider. Doubles consist of two of each. The frames have exterior frames and interior frames. The interior frames hold the glass. There are six different types of aluminum extrusion. Each must be custom cut on a chop saw. Notches are cut, rough edges filed, holes located and then assembled with sheet rock screws. We dry fitted the frames into the openings. Jeff then anchored the outer frames to the openings and caulked them in. He then removed the inner frames, partially disassembled each and installed the glass. We built a total of about 35 window frames.

We took one afternoon off for lunch in the city and a little souvenir shopping. Sunday morning was worship at the second church plant. The first church plant now has a Mexican pastor. On one day, we quit work a bit early and went into a part of town with a long park where we met some people from church. We paired up with them and walked to park to hand out tracts and try to engage people in conversation. Jeff made one good contact which seemed like it would bear fruit. The man was very interested and wanted to know when, where and how he could learn more.

Our team was small enough to stay in the Walker home. We had a good time of fellowship every evening. The family was just Jeff, Sheny and Julie. 

This was a good time of year to go. The weather was mid 80’s, but humidity was low and it was mostly overcast. Since we worked inside the building and it was open, the working temperatures were quite comfortable.

When finished, the seminary will be used to train Mexican pastors, teachers and missionaries. There will be residence suites, classrooms and a large meeting room. The seminary is adjacent to the camp facilities.

The Walkers will be eager to host more teams in the near future as there is still much work to be done to complete the seminary. The work remaining consists of much tile work, interior doors, plumbing fixtures, electrical finish work, cabinets, and painting.