Restoration & Transformation

Restoration - The process of repairing or renovating a building, work of art, etc., so as to restore it to its original condition.

Transformation- Make a thorough or dramatic change in the form, appearance, or character of.

Both of these processes are currently taking place on the campus of Sahel Academy as the flood recovery continues.  In recent days, several people have asked me for an update so thanks to my friend, Shannon, who took all the current pictures, you can see for yourself how the Sahel campus is being both restored & transformed. 

The library is an example of a building that has been restored.  If you hadn't seen these pictures,

you might think that these pictures



 

were taken pre-flood.  But with a lot of hard work all of these library books have been moved from the temporary campus back to their original home.

The shelves have been sanded and refinished and everything returned to its proper place.

Restored

 

In this post, I shared with you one of the beautiful new things that God was bringing out of the dust of the flood.  It is a total transformation of our Dining Hall which is, in many ways, the heart of our campus.  The power of transformation comes in remembering what things looked like before so here we go - the Before Pictures.
 

Inside 





Outside

 

 

During the Flood

 

 

After the roof came down, the work continued.

 

 

Several new layers of cinder blocks were added and a brand new roof placed on top.  The white painted exterior was scuffed up and prepared to be covered in stucco to match the rest of our school buildings. 

 

 

New doors and windows have been installed and painted.

 

 

Inside the former all-cement floor has been beautifully tiled

 

 

and a new and very high ceiling has been installed.

 

 

It hardly looks like the same building!

 

 

Transformed

 

Restoration & Transformation - these processes will go on throughout the summer as the school continues to prepare for a return to campus for the 2013-2014 school year.  But for now, it's time to make room for Celebration!  There are 13 or so (Don't quote me on that!) Seniors who will be graduating in the next few days and it is our joy each year to celebrate with them.  Pray that despite a very difficult year, they will finish well and that even the events of this past year will have a positive transformational effect in their lives as they are reminded of God's faithfulness through it all. 

You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap their hands.  Instead of the thornbush will grow the juniper, and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.  This will be for the Lord’s renown, for an everlasting sign, that will endure forever.

Isaiah 55:12&13