This year the Downsville UMC learned about a project to build a church in Welty, OK for Grant Chapel OIMC. Working with the Oklahoma VIM we decided that this would be the right project for us. We talked with the several people and everything was on go. We had been told the slab was poured and that the material would be delivered promptly. On Saturday June 7, 2003 seven of us took off for Okemah, OK and arrived that afternoon at St. Paul's UMC. They received us with open arms and we began to set up for the rest of the team that would be arriving on Sunday and Monday.
We decided that a trip to the construction site would be good so we took off to Welty. Upon arriving at the Grant Chapel Church site we found that the forming of the foundation had started but there was no concrete slab. Not knowing what to do we began to call home on cell phones trying desperately to get a connection. We drove back to St. Paul's and made calls to everyone we could think of. There was nothing we could do at Welty to keep us busy without a concrete foundation so we prayed for guidance. Our only choice was to drive back to Downsville. On Sunday morning we packed up and headed home. It seemed like we were in the wilderness. Lost. Without a plan.
On our way home we were contacted and asked to detour to Snow OK to the Big Lick OIMC and find out if we could build anything there. Our 7 had grown to 11 so we took off with new enthusiasm to Big Lick. When we arrived at Big Lick I saw a van there. They had to be there having church. As soon as we parked and got our of our vehicles we were greeted by Sue Jones. She told us she had been praying for a year that we would return. We were welcomed with open arms and lots of tears. Abraham began to tell us of the things that needed to be done. Again we got out the cell phones and began calling home to let others know of the new project that God had planned for us.
The Mission trip turned out to be a great trip. In all 16 of us worked on the project and a lot more prayed for us and Big Lick OIMC. Here are a few pictures.
St. Pauls UMC Grant Chapel OIMC
Road sign to Big Lick Big Lick Church 2002
The entrance was given a face lift with cornice.. The Sanctuary with the old ceiling tile and lighting.
Storage building before any work. Storage building completed.
Kitchen before. Kitchen with new paint and cornice.
Group Picture. Cross and Flame.
Church bell sunrise of the first day of work. We had Worship Services each night..
We visited with the local members during breaks.