Route One May Update

These are exiting times for the project as we near completion of the refit. Every element of the layout of the bus has been designed to make the bus as near perfect as possible for serving the vision. The process has been tiring but immensely rewarding and as we now see the finish line we also see the more important start line of running the project out there in the schools and communities we are a part of.

Thank you for your prayers. We have received gifts amounting to over £8000 in the last few weeks alone but please keep praying as we are not quite there yet. We need around another £4000 to complete the refit and then we will move into the new territory of running the project.

Here are some details of the work carried out on the bus in the last few weeks
We have now finished recovering all wall surfaces on the bottom and top deck. The flooring has been fitted downstairs and the ceiling is now finished upstairs. The upstairs now has a media screen, sound system, flush fitted lighting, heating and we will soon have air conditioning. The seating design is now finalised with two fitted benches and 13 double seats which are custom made for the bus.

Still to do:
Fit flooring upstairs, construction of 13 double seats, fit air conditioning, print and fit bible and church zones boards, design and fit church zone, recover driver seat, fit edging to stairs and sky lights, print handouts and worksheets, purchase 3 more computers and access ramp + other bits and bobs.

Please Pray

I was reminded on Sunday of Paul’s prayer requests. Let’s pray these same prayers over the Church here in Southeast Essex as we take the message to people:

Colossians 4:3
And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ

Ephesians 6:19
Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel

2 Thessalonians 3:1
Pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored

Thanks for you support

Simon Ford
07534 904488
simon@routeone.org.uk
www.routeone.org.uk

Route One Bus Update: January 2009 - Interior coming along

Route One ground floor refit as of 3rd January 2009. This area will be a learning space and interactive discovery point for bus visitors. Got skills that can help this be a reality? Contact simon@routeone.org.uk

Route One Bus Project: Update July 08

What is the Route One?

Route One is an initiative based in the South East Essex. It aims to help equip churches to communicate the message of Jesus clearly and creatively.

To do this we have developed a mobile interactive exhibition onboard a double-decker bus. The resource is designed to help people explore the significance of Jesus and his message. It can be used to deliver lessons in schools or for outreach in town centres and communities.

Here is a brief update on the project:

The Bus
Gavin Dixon of King's Church, Southend and Simon Ford, Project Coordinator travelled up to Suffolk this week to check on the progress of the bus. We were very pleased with how things are going (See photos). If you have been following on the Route One facebook you will realise how much needed doing as parts of the exterior of the bus needed replacing this is much more than a re-spray.

However, the bus is now ready for the final spray which will take place next week and will include the whole thing being baked in an oven to seal the paint on to the highest standard (YES they have ovens that big).

After this the vinyl wrap will be applied which will make the whole thing look stunning.

The Exhibition
Sam Nudds is hard at work designing the exhibition and we took the opportunity last weekend to try some of the boards out on the general public at the Rayleigh Churches fun day. This enabled us to get feedback and make some adjustments to the display before the final printing.

The Team
We have begun building the project team which will be responsible for the running of Route One. This is of course a gradual process but we already have people offering their time and skills to see this vision become a reality. Could you help out in some way? Please get in contact.

The Next phase
We are in need of a further £10,000 to complete the setting up of the project and we estimate our yearly running costs at around £35,000. The bus will soon be back in South East Essex enabling the start of the internal refit.

We will be holding a meeting after the summer (date and venue tbc) as we are keen for people to see the resource and to catch the vision of the project which is:
To equip the church to communicate the message of Jesus clearly and creatively.

PRAYER POINTS

1. For the final stages of the external work to go smoothly
2. For Sam to find the time in his busy schedule to complete the exhibition
3. For the project team to be established with the right people in place
4. For blessing to continue to flow and grow in the area of finance

Thanks for your support and prayers

Simon
Route One
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Simon Ford
07534 904488
simon@routeone.org.uk
www.routeone.org.uk

Route One update June 08

Things are really starting to happen now which is all very exciting.

The sponsored cycle went really well with the weather being set to perfection and the all aspects of the ride going smoothly. Everyone enjoyed themselves some so much they decided to ride home afterwards making the distance they rode around 23 miles. We are still waiting for all the money to come in and will let you know the final figure raised in next months update.

The bus is now in Suffolk undergoing an external face lift. This involves steam cleaning, panel replacements and other bodywork processes, spraying and baking. Once this is all completed the bus will look all white and shiny.

If you are on Facebook you can become a friend of Route One/Si Ford and see photos of the bus as it changes. If you are not on Facebook why not join and get connected.

The designers are busy finalising the external vinyl wrap design and the exhibition design. I’d say we have completed about 35% of the exhibition and are aiming to complete and send the exhibition to print by the end of the summer. The interior of the bus has been gutted and the internal refit will begin as soon as we get the bus back down from Suffolk.

Please pray for:

• No hold ups or complications in the external refit.
• We are starting to put a project team together.
• Please pray for the right people to come forward to resource this project to see it become everything God wants it to be.

Thanks for your prayers
Simon Ford
Route One
07534 904488
simon@routeone.org.uk
www.routeone.org.uk

Route One: Sponsored Cycle

Route One sponsored cycle - sign up now!
We would love more people to join in. The ride is from Rayleigh to Shoebury covering a distance of around 11 miles.

It will be great fun especially if you can get a group of friends to ride together. We do need some more adults/over 16s to ride but anyone over the age of 11 can join in as long as you are a competent rider. Please see poster above (click on it to see it bigger) and ask a friend if they want to join in.

For more info or to sign up to ride please send Simon an email – simon@routeone.org.uk

Thanks
Route One
EXPERIENCE THE MESSAGE
Simon Ford
07896 326116
simon@routeone.org.uk
www.routeone.org.uk - visit this site for info on what Route One is.