Rancho Bernardo Church Turns Shipping Container Into Center of Hope

RANCHO BERNARDO, CA -- This weekend, families can be a part of a unique project that addresses an international need at Rancho Bernardo's Maranatha Chapel.

The James 127 Project has been put in place to help orphans, widows and single moms in Paraguay. Its mission is to transform a 40-foot shipping container into a vocational training center for the women in the South American country.

Su Refugio Ministries in partnership with Cargo of Dreams and Kids Around the World will ship the container to an orphanage in Tobati, Paraguay after installing a a 60-foot by 40-foot refurbished playground inside, a press release stated.

Maranatha Church stated the project will be completed and ready to ship by April 1, where it will begin its 7,000 mile journey to the Su Refugio orphanage, which is approximately two hours east of Paraguay's capital of Asuncion. 

To assist with the completion of the James 127 project, a group of San Diegans will travel to Paraguay on July 20 to install the playground at the orphanage and to finalize the Women’s Center of Hope, the press release stated.

Brian Kelly, Mission’s Pastor at Maranatha Chapel, said, “The James 127 Project is a great way to engage people in a practical hands-on project where they can change and improve quality of life for single women, widows and children in a place that they may personally never travel to.” 

Rancho Bernardo families can get involved in The James 127 Project this weekend. Families are invited to visit Maranatha Chapel, located at 10752 Coastwood Road in Rancho Bernardo, on Saturday from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. to help paint the container the playground will be shipped in.

The church said a bright-colored mural and art projects will be created on Feb. 16 and be accompanied by a gourmet Food Truck Festival to help support the church's student missionary program.

Volunteers will also help convert the shipping container from the inside by adding walls and windows.

For more information on The James 127 Project, please contact Scott Kvandal, 619-787-0966 or James127inParaguay@gmail.com.