It's been a whole month since my last progress report on the H88... And well, there are actually some pretty important developments taking place with our new ministry facilities this week -- so I thought this could be a good time to slap up a few new pictures and then invite you into join us in prayer...

As you can see from the photographs, a large part of the physical labor is done (at least in the main two rooms).  In the Lounge (left), we still need to hang some artwork and do some cleaning (mostly dusting) -- but otherwise, this space is fully functional.  As you can see in the Main Room (below), the furniture has been loosely arranged, but we've still got quite a bit of unpacking todo, and we also need to do quite a bit of technical installation (audio, video, lighting, etc.) -- as well as a general cleaning (you can even see the fine layer of dust on the chairs in the picture!).  The contractors have nearly finished with their work; thus, we'll soon be able to move full-speed ahead in finishing off the other two rooms of the H88... It really is finally coming together...

It's nice now that we don't have to use our imagination quite as much to envision what this place will look like and feel like when we're finished.

As things have become more and more completed, we've started using the space for more and more of our week-to-week operations (one-on-one appointments, staff meetings, Soul Gatherings, etc.).  We have not, however, started using the space for our Sunday worship gatherings -- because we have not yet secured final permission from the fire marshal to use the space for more than 50 people.

However, the fire marshal is coming tomorrow (Wednesday, 21 February).  So we're anxious to see what will come of everything.  In a lot of ways, we've been anticipating this meeting for months.

It's specified as a part of our rental agreement that we must be able to get permission for at least 120 people to use the space (or else the agreement will be dissolved).  And although this certainly seems possible and even probable (provided that the right safety measures are taken), this is not an easy proposition.  Dutch fire codes are extremely rigorous; and if past experience is any indication, tomorrow's inspection is likely to be far from a simple "rubber-stamping" of our immediate and unconditional use of the space.  Yet every adaptation suggested by the fire marshal means extra time and extra costs to be worked out in the already-stressed business relationship between us and the owner (which has become stressed because of the already-significant unexpected overages in renovation costs and construction timelines).  So this is why tomorrow's inspection is a kind of big deal.  Any number of things could happen in tomorrow's meeting -- and, to be honest -- I don't expect a final conclusion to our renovation process...

But at the same time, we're praying that God will act on our behalf and provide green lights for moving ahead with the completion of our relocation process.  We're praying for allowance of (at least) 120 people.  We're praying for a minimum of further expenses.  We're praying for cooperative attitudes between the fire marshal and the owner and us... And we're praying that all of this will come to a conclusion as soon as possible.

In short, we're praying for a miracle.

Fortunately, we pray to a miraculous God.  And we believe the words of James 5:16 -- "The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results."  So if you would pray with us, we would greatly appreciate the spiritual support.  I'll try to let you know as soon as we have more definitive information on how everything goes...