By Mechelle Peinado

It was a gesture of generosity that began with a simple question: What would it cost to repaint the exterior of Portland Adventist Academy? For many years, the school building, built in 1963 and expanded in the 1980s, has been due for a new coat of paint. But the available funds have not matched the need. While generations of students have cycled through the halls, learning, laughing, and growing in Christ, the exterior has faded with time. 

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This year, at the urging of PAA family members, the school solicited bids to answer the question: what would it actually cost? The answer was a six-digit figure for work that included the full replacement of rotting trim on both buildings, as well as the safe removal of asbestos panels, and a beautiful fresh coat of paint. The inquiry became a prayer request.    

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In October, the same individuals who inquired about the cost to repaint stepped forward with a generous donation that, with the help of others, fully covers the expense to update both buildings. Prayer made palpable. Brushes and buckets are scheduled to transform the buildings as soon as weather permits. The PAA community enthusiastically celebrates the goodness of a God who answers prayer. 

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“It’s a big step to make the school look beautiful,” one senior said. “And to know it is actually happening this year is exciting.” 

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The anticipation over a new exterior is enhanced by plans to complete work on city-required improvements to the PAA campus in early spring 2027. The freshly painted building will be surrounded by fully updated grounds. This will bring to life a vision for PAA that began nearly two decades ago.

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In 2007, the PAA constituency voted to rebuild, and a three-phase plan was approved by the city in 2010. In 2011, utility infrastructure went in, the parking lot was started, and in 2014 the Kathryn Damazo turf field was completed. Fundraising, however, fell short of what the full plan required. In 2019, the constituency stepped back and, after prayerful consideration, chose to modify their goals.

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The original master plan expired in 2020, leaving many city-required improvements to the campus unfinished. To address these nonconforming items, a series of hearings with the city ensued. The hearings finally concluded in June 2026. After more than two and a half years, the sale of several acres of PAA fields to Adventist Health closed in October 2026, and the sale put PAA in a position to complete the upgrades. The proceeds will fund every one of the city-required improvements, including irrigation, landscaping, parking lots, lighting, sidewalks, bike parking, and gates. Work is scheduled to begin in Spring 2027. Once these projects are complete, the school can finally turn its attention to other facility needs.

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Inside PAA’s buildings, students are known, loved, and growing into Christ-centered, character-driven young people. Soon, the outside of the campus will reflect the care that happens within every single day. It has been a long road, but the PAA family joyfully testifies to God’s faithfulness through every season.

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God is good. All the time.

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