P2P Earth News, Updates and Opportunties: PORTA-BEC born in PORTA-liza-BEC

THE PORTA-BEC is born in PORT ELIZABETH

CONCEPT

The concept of a moveable BEC hit me early one morning in July and life has never been the same since!
With limited funds and human resources in a small ecclesia it seemed that there should still be a way to run a Bible Education Centre (BEC) without the expense and commitment of hiring a shop and running it on a full time basis. A 6m (20ft) container seemed to be the way to go with the added benefit of it being 99% theft-proof! Time will tell.

CONTAINER

With the dramatic rise in the price of steel in just the last 12 months, most firms are choosing to refurbish rather than replace, resulting in a dearth of suitable stock. From watching the swop columns and visiting firms that deal in 2^nd hand containers it was apparent that prices range from R11k – R27k depending on quality: with much patience and time one can find cheaper. We were finally able to find one on tender at Telkom and after much prayer put in a price of R8100 plus VAT. Success! It was the best on offer and we secured it by R100! It is in pretty good condition and with the wonderful help of the P2P 2010 team managed to make it look very respectable. Pictures and paint, table and chairs and away we go!

VENUE

The first choice was Kwadesi township where we already have 6 members and is very accessible from the main highway to Uitenhage. Bro Zwelakhe used his considerable charm on an ex-student who is now a city councilor for the area, and she gave written permission to put the container at a most prominent place near the main shopping centre and next to the police station. Maybe after time we will move it to another area in PE or if the project proves unsuccessful we can always sell it for more than we paid.

STAFF

With so few members available to run it full time, a roster is being drawn up so that with the helpof those members in Kwadesi and a few from Port Elizabeth. we should be able tobe open at the busiest times of the week. Tables and chairs are then brought in and everything securely locked away.

ACTIVITIES

We had our grand opening on Saturday 30^th August with lots of invitations being given out and opening specials - cheap Bibles, balloons, BEC pens for all who sign up etc. 30 have registered for correspondence courses in the first few days and lots of preaching material has been given out.

We are so thankful to our Heavenly Father for all His blessings in this project; also the wonderful support of the 2010 COP Trust and P2P workers led by Big Ben Dailey the Ozzie cum S. African who leave plastered with orange BEC paint!