Home remodel will help build Botswana college

A broad coalition of Sisters area residents has bonded together to raise funds in a creative attempt to finance the construction of a Bible college in the African nation of Botswana. The project is well underway and, when completed, will be the only resident Bible college in the country.

The Bible college is non-denominational and will offer a three-year accredited program under the oversight of the American Association of Bible Colleges. The project is supported whole-heartedly by the government of Botswana, which donated 12 acres of land for the campus in the capital city of Kalahari.

The latest fund-raiser for this project involved purchasing a home at Black Butte Ranch (BBR) in late January of this year and remodeling the home for resale. The hope is to generate enough profit to fulfill the project's needs for this year. According to Robert Mayfield, a BBR resident and volunteer on the project, organizers hope for a profit of $40,000, all to be donated to the Bible college.

The home was described as an "ugly duckling" by some of the participants in the project. The "ugly duckling" has now emerged as a swan during the makeover process that was conducted by an all-volunteer crew in what would generally be considered record time.

"When dealing with volunteer labor, it can be hit or miss. These people often have full-time jobs and other commitments," said Ron Barry, Sisters resident and owner of The Home Connection.

The BBR home has been dubbed the "Mission Home."

When Barry first found out about the BBR house, he was unsure as to how long the makeover would take.

"When I originally walked the project, I thought it would take six to eight weeks, but that was before I realized that it would be done with volunteer labor. But we finished it in eight weeks, even with volunteer labor," said Barry.

The remodel was more than just a gentle face lift and paint touch-up. It completely changed the appearance of the home.

"There were two bathroom remodels, a kitchen remodel, a complete face lift in the front, new fixtures. It was a pretty big scope for a remodel," said Barry.

The college's foundation has already been poured and construction is to soon commence on the classrooms. Until the new facility is completed, students are meeting in an abandoned building.

The seeds of the project were sown three years ago, when the college opened with 18 students. Enrollment has grown to 85 today.

The concept of using current investor strategies as fund-raisers for charities is not a new idea; however, it is fairly rare in this country. The idea may catch on as an additional solution to the challenge of fund-raising.

"I think it is a great idea for raising money for missions. I am really excited that it looks like this will provide the money that is needed for the next phase of the project," said Barry.

Botswana has been devastated economically over the last 20 years.

"The country is very wealthy, but the people are very poor. AIDS has taken a heavy toll on the country. Twenty years ago the life expectancy was 64; now it is 32. It has taken a heavy toll on the economy, and as it relates to spirituality there are no clergy to deal with needs. Pastors that graduate are often responsible for five or six congregations. The government realized this, and that is why they stepped forward with the land for the campus," said Mayfield.

The project grew from a simple idea that became like a pebble dropped into a pond. As the ripples spread outward, more and more lives were affected, and people began to volunteer their labor and services, and some vendors even provided materials at cost to assist in the project. The speed and commitment of volunteers to complete the project left many both surprised and greatly pleased.

"It was one of those things like a snow ball. It just started to grow as more and more people found out about it. There was a fireman from Black Butte, a plumber even came over from the valley - there were so many that helped," said Barry.

An open house is planned for Saturday, May 26, from noon until 5 p.m. Photos of the project are available online at: http://www.blackbuttefsbo.com.