Friday, May 23, 2008

Building Demolition

In this changing world, the HCJB missionary community is no stranger to change. In my eleven plus years here in Quito, I have definitely experienced various changes - whether it is a missionary friend returning home. Or a change of staff in our department. Or missionary friends going to another region in another part of the world. Or . . . well, you get the idea! There will probably always be change!

And one of the most recent changes was the tearing down of the building where I worked for 10 years with Guest Ministries, Tours and Short-term Teams. This was the first building that was built on the HCJB compound years ago when HCJB's founder, Clarence Jones, started the radio station and it held a lot of history and memories.

Unfortunately, due to its age it was very expensive and difficult to keep up - it had faulty electricity (and would have been too expensive to re-do) and the building was literally falling apart (part of the roof had fallen in not too long ago during a bad rainstorm). Probably not a safe place for people to keep working!

It is sad to see the building gone . . . so much history, memories and so many friendships and working relationships that were formed! But like I said earlier - we must face change - it's all around us in today's world.

Here are a few photos - from before and during the demolition.

THE ENTRANCE TO THE GUEST MINISTRIES/TEAMS OFFICE


THE VIEW I USED TO HAVE FROM MY OFFICE WINDOW


AND THE DEMOLITION BEGINS





AND NOTHING OF THE BUILDING IS LEFT (you can see HCJB's Hospital Vozandes in the background)!

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sigh!

Bob and Barb

The Arteagas said...

yea - it's pretty sad!