“For we are God's fellow workers; you are God's field, God's building. According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1Corintians 3 9-11

It’s a big brown box on the corner of Harrison and Sheridan. We know it now as the Corona Norco Rescue Mission. I’ve heard it affectionately called the “Pig”. While walking through looking at plans, someone walked by and simply said “Have you thought of tearing it down?” I smiled and said “Yes, that’s been suggested”. Its past is a bit sketchy, we know by design it was possibly a packing house for fruit and a warehouse at various times. It was once owned by the Salvation Army as a detox center. Since 1986 it’s been functioning as an emergency shelter for the homeless.

In the months to come it will go to a new level, not just in looks, but in what it will offer. A holistic approach to homelessness providing food, shelter, medical, dental, vision, job training, peer counseling, child care, but most of all a foundation laid in Christ. I would love to tell you that we have all been sitting back on our laurels waiting for Santa to bring us a new building, but that hasn’t happened. In the months to come, you are probably going to hear more of the structural things that are happening rather that the spiritual or philosophical, but I think that is what I am here to do.

• Kirk Bennett is still working on the design plans. Kirk has done a great job of creating something from nothing. There were no plans for this building when we started. Structural Engineering is required for the exterior façade. Title 24 engineering for the lighting changes and engineering for the changes in plumbing. This should be done in the next few weeks and presented to the city for permits. Lead and asbestos samples were taken and came back negative. The Decorating Team is going over paint and tile specifications.

• The modular was moved from the site thanks to Rowdy Williamson, Dave Armas and their crew. This will give us an accessible area for the children’s play area. With the reorganization of space on the interior, we have several areas that we can use for learning centers. McDonalds Restaurant has donated a large self-contained playground structure to place in the outside area.

• Baxter Miller Landscaping has given us plans to submit to the City for landscaping. This includes sprinkler layouts, plant choices and hardscape features.

• Rowdy also was instrumental in installing a steam table in the serving window of God’s Kitchen. Larry Berryman stepped up and did the electrical for the installation. Both were rewarded with a kiss from Bettie.

• Before construction starts we will remove the palm trees and set the foundation for the façade. You will be hearing more about that in the weeks to come.

You should be hearing some random “Shout-outs” for certain labor needs in the weeks to come. I will also keep you posted on holiday events that will involve the mission.

Knowing “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” We continue to pray and look for guidance on the things we do, knowing that the building is secondary compared to what God will do in the lives of those that touch it.