In several African countries our brethren have difficulty finding suitable halls. This is either because meeting halls simply don't exist, or because the price is too high.

Currently the church in La Mé, Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast), is meeting in a bamboo and grass-thatch structure. However, with recent growth in the congregation, they are at the point of outgrowing this venue, and the local authorities have informed them they may not use electricity in this structure because of the risk of fire.

In addition, most African governments expect churches to own their own buildings and resist accrediting church organizations that don't have their own building. This government recognition is necessary for us to operate legally in these countries (have bank accounts, have phone lines or P.O. boxes in the name of the Church). Not being recognized can place our brethren at some risk of being mistaken for belonging to a secretive or illegal entity. This is presently the case in Côte d'Ivoire .

The members in Cote d'Ivoire, in spite of very difficult economic circumstances, are faithful in contributing their tithes and offerings, which barely cover the expenses of the Church in their country. They have, with their own means, acquired a lot in La Mé, and have broken ground for a concrete block structure.

We estimate that they will need $2,000 to finish the construction of the building, so this has been listed as a Good Works project. For more details on the Good Works Program, see www.ucg.org/goodworks.