Pamodzi SDA Church Expansion: A Sanctuary of Hope

Dear Friends and Supporters,

We are grateful to share this progress update for Pamodzi SDA Church Expansion: A Sanctuary of Hope. Pamodzi SDA Church continues to serve as a spiritual home and community gathering place for many families in the surrounding area. Each week, the church welcomes children, youth, women, men, elderly members, visitors, and community members who come for worship, prayer, counselling, Bible study, children’s programs, youth fellowship, and other church activities. However, the current worship space has become too small for the growing congregation. During Sabbath services, special programs, funerals, weddings, children’s activities, and community gatherings, many people struggle to sit comfortably, and some are forced to stand outside or squeeze into limited space. This expansion project is therefore helping to create a safer, larger, and more dignified sanctuary where people can worship and gather in peace.

Since our last report, the church leadership, members, volunteers, and local supporters have continued working together to move the expansion forward. The project has directly benefited approximately 350 people, including about 90 children, 110 youth, 100 women, 35 elderly members, and 15 visitors or community members who regularly take part in church services and community activities. In this reporting period, about 25 volunteers supported the project through cleaning, site preparation, carrying materials, organizing the church area, and assisting with construction-related work. The church has also continued mobilizing locally available resources and materials, including cement, blocks, sand, stones, timber, and other construction supplies needed to support the next phase of the expansion. These efforts show that the community is not only waiting for help, but actively participating in building a sanctuary that will serve present and future generations.

One church member, whom we will call Grace to protect her privacy, shared how important this expansion is for her family. Grace is a mother who regularly attends worship with her children. She explained that during crowded Sabbath services and special church programs, it is often difficult for families with young children and elderly members to find enough space to sit comfortably. Sometimes children become restless because of the congestion, and elderly members struggle when the seating area is too full. For Grace, the church expansion means more than a bigger building. It means her children can attend church programs in a safer and more comfortable environment. It means elderly members can worship with dignity. It also means families can feel welcome, included, and spiritually strengthened.

The expansion of Pamodzi SDA Church is important because the church is more than a place of worship. It is a sanctuary of hope for people facing different challenges in life. Many families come to the church seeking encouragement, prayer, guidance, fellowship, and a sense of belonging. Children and youth benefit from Sabbath school, moral guidance, mentorship, and positive community support. Women and men find a place where they can share burdens, receive spiritual encouragement, and participate in service. Elderly members also find companionship and care within the church community. By increasing the available space, this project will help reduce overcrowding, improve safety, strengthen participation, and allow the church to host more programs that support spiritual growth and community wellbeing.

During the next phase, the project will focus on continuing the construction works, including walling, roofing preparation, flooring, windows, doors, plastering, seating arrangements, and basic finishing works, depending on the resources available. The church will also continue involving volunteers and local members so that the project remains community-owned and sustainable. Our immediate goal is to make the expanded sanctuary usable, safe, and welcoming for regular worship services and community programs. We are deeply thankful to every donor and supporter who has helped this project move forward. Your support is helping Pamodzi SDA Church become a stronger sanctuary of hope, faith, dignity, and community care for hundreds of people