The Marthasville Area Chamber of Commerce and area clergy hosted its annual Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast Tuesday, Feb. 27, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ.Proceeds from the breakfast totaled $750 and will benefit the Washington Overseas Mission.Tim Long, M.D., longtime volunteer and coordinator with the mission, said the organization is celebrating its 25th year of providing dental and medical care to the people of Honduras. Teams are scheduled to deploy in May and August 2018.In addition to medical care, the team also partners with Primero Agua, a nonprofit organization that digs new wells to provide clean water for the impoverished people of Honduras.“The mission began accidentally,” said Long. “But because of the generous support of the local communities, this effort has continued for 25 years.”Guest speakers who provided a Highway 47 bridge construction update were Brian Lange of the Missouri Department of Transportation and Matt Jacobi of Alberici Constructors. Lange reported the new bridge is still scheduled to open this December. He explained that spring rains could delay the project if the river rises to an unsafe level for continued work.Massive girders, weighing approximately 75 tons each are expected to be set through March 1 during nighttime hours. Girders were stored along Route 47 near Third Street and near Steutermann Road in Washington prior to placement.Lange and Jacobi described in detail the work being done, including the logistics of pouring massive amounts of concrete. Lange explained that it takes two cranes to set the girders, which is a “logistically skilled challenge.”Lange explained that the old bridge will be destroyed by explosive charges in “three cuts” early in 2019. Sections of the bridge above the railroad tracks will be taken down so debris will not fall on the tracks.To learn more about the bridge project, visit www.modot.org/stlouis/major_projects/Route47MissouriRiverBridge.Information about the Washington Overseas Mission can be seen at overseasmission.org.

Seventh- and eighth-grade students from St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic School serve guests at the 2018 annual Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast held Tuesday, Feb. 27, 2018, at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ. The benefit raised $750 for the Washington Overseas Mission.

 

Record Photo/Cindy Gladden

Bob Aholt, left, and Larry Ballmann were on pancake detail during the annual Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast held at St. Paul’s United Church of Christ in Marthasville. The benefit raised $750 for the Washington Overseas Mission which provided medical and dental care for the people of Honduras.

 

Record Photo/Cindy Gladden

Brian Lange of MoDOT was a guest speaker at the annual Ecumenical Prayer Breakfast, sponsored by the Marthasville Area Chamber of Commerce and local clergy. He provided an indepth update of progress to the new Washington Bridge which should be completed in December of this year. Also speaking was Matt Jacobi, a representative of Alberici Construction. The breakfast benefits the Washington Overseas Mission.

 

Record Photo/Cindy Gladden