The landscape of Calexico Mission Academy is changing fast. One after another, old buildings have been razed. Three double-wide trailers that formerly housed the elementary are gone. An old warehouse—gone. A ramshackle house—gone. Piles of debris—gone.

From a freshly laid concrete pad, steel frames sprang up. Maranatha volunteers arrived in February with tools and high spirits. Within two weeks, whole walls were in place, including doors and windows.

Situated behind and to the north of the recently completed gymnasium and high school classrooms, the new elementary school will occupy 17,000 square feet. Teacher’s offices, 10 classrooms, restrooms and a commercial kitchen will all be under one roof.

“The 43 Maranatha volunteers were quite amazing,” says Susan Smith, principal. “I would guess the average age of the group—which included both men and women—was around 70. But they worked diligently doing internal framing and installing sheet rock.”

The estimated cost for phase II of Calexico building is $1.2 million. A $500,000 pledge will be paid when construction is finished, and another $700,000 in donations is being sought. In addition, $236,000 is owed on the high school/gymnasium building.

The school is unique. More than 80 percent of the students come from homes with a religious heritage other than Seventh-day Adventist. Most of these walk across the Mexican/U.S. border each morning to attend classes.

“The school makes a difference in the lives of these students and their families,” Smith adds. “This year a sixth grade student and the student’s mother have been baptized. We’ve also learned of a former student, now attending college, who has chosen to accept the Adventist faith.”

If the current schedule is maintained, a move-in date is expected this summer.