raising our palms

It may not be Chartres, but our little church palapa in Melaque is starting to take form.


When I last updated you on the local church building project (dining with the gods) in June, the project was little more than a cleared lot and a pile of blue-tarped bricks.


During the summer rainy season, while bids were being considered for the construction of a palapa (for worship) and a bathroom, nature had its way with the lot.  Turning it into a not-so-cleared lot with a pile of blue-tarped bricks.


The bricks are still piled, but everything else has changed.  The lot is cleared.  And the palapa is under construction.


The supporting posts are set in concrete.  And the general framing is almost complete.

The palapa is larger than our former San Patricio by the Sea structure nearer to the beach.  And we needed something to accommodate the larger winter crowds.  That adjective should probably be “more numerous,” but it is an opportunity to exercise Christian charity.


The next step will be the construction of a roof frame.  The palm fronds will then be woven into place to create a sun-free, rain-free worship space.


And these are the palm fronds.  The best for palapas.  Cut at the last full moon to ensure their maximum strength and survivability.

The word on the lot is that the palapa could be finished by mid-October.  And then that pile of bricks will magically (with the help of local craftsmen) be turned into a floor under the palapa.

 

I did mention the bathroom.  The shell is complete.  Now, all it needs is to be plumbed and outfitted with the appropriate fixtures.


That means by the time the winter crowds arrive, we will have a new place to share our faith with this community.


In a couple of weeks, I will give you another progress report.