On the HOMESTRETCH of LARTC Construction
Rod and Sherry Boyd

We’re on the homestretch of construction of the Latin America Resource & Training Center! Homestretch is a technical metaphor used to describe the last ten percent of a racetrack, from the end of the last turn to the finish line. It’s also used to describe the final stage of any undertaking… a race, a project, a career, even life.

About 15 years ago, the Lord gave us a vision to build a center in Panama dedicated to empowering Christian leaders, training teachers and ministry leaders, and providing them training resources. Down through the years, the Lord has given us favor and influence with leaders throughout Latin America. We have guided the development of training programs and events that are shaping thousands of teachers, pastors and leaders in the Latin America/Caribbean Spanish-speaking countries.

The new Latin America Resource & Training Center facilities serve as an endowment to promote and maintain ministry training for generations to come. We believe we are fulfilling the Apostol Paul’s transgenerational training mandate given to his protégé Timothy: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Tim. 2:2).

By the end of the year, the Center will be 90% complete! God has faithfully helped us these last four years of construction to meet important deadlines to be able to host training and leadership events. God has honored our phased construction plan, completing about 20% in each of those years. This year alone we finished 13 new 2nd floor guestrooms of the Phase 2 Housing building, the commercial kitchen, 90% of the Phase 3 Atrium and about 75% of the Phase 4 Training Addition.

We declare 2020 as the homestretch year! The final 10% of the work will focus on three areas:

• Phase 3 Atrium – Air conditioning installation.

• Phase 4 Training Addition – Interior sheetrock walls, ceilings, electrical and lighting, bathrooms, ceiling, doors, air conditioning and paint.

• Exterior – Building façade and paint, security and retaining walls, entrance and gate, drainage, road and parking, exterior lighting and landscaping.

Looking back at God’s faithfulness to complete the 90% strengthens our faith to carry us down the homestretch! We are grateful to the dozens of churches, individuals and ministries that have stood by us in prayer and financial support. You have been such an important part of our Hebrews 12:1 “great cloud of witnesses,” cheering us on to “run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

Matching Challenge! We have received almost half of the $50,000 matching challenge funds through November, the first three months of the challenge. We need an additional $25,000 for the last three months. Can you help us one more time? If so, please write us or visit http://s1.ag.org/lartc.

Thank you for cheering us on in prayer and financial support!