Blog
School Shopping
Every year one of the greatest burdens on many families is the responsibility that they have to provide everything needed for their children to attend school as mandated by law through the sixth grade. For many, making that a reality is an impossibility.
Supplies that include everything from uniforms, to socks and shoes, notebooks to backpacks and pencils, can accumulate in costs that prohibit many families, especially the large number of single mom families with multiple children at school age, from being able to provide the required list of items at the beginning of each school year.
There is one family in particular in our neighborhood that struggles with this very concern. The mom is a joyful, thankful mom, who not only cares for several of her own younger school aged children, but is also raising her grandchildren while their mother is away in prison. The oldest of the at-home school kids is an incredibly smart, conscientious, studious young girl named Reichel. Reichel has always been faithful to our English classes, and carries a large burden for her family along with her school goals.
It was Reichel that caught the eye and heart of one of the chaperones of the dance team that came and ministered two years ago. When we took the dance missionaries to visit the homes of many of the kids who attended the dance camp week, Reichel’s family was front and center to greet them all into their tiny (really tiny) home with open arms and even bigger smiles. Deb, the chaperone, and Reichel had an immediate connection at the dance camp, and the home visit sealed the deal! They have been communicating and passing notes and letters back and forth ever since.
Thanks to Deb and her husband, Lindsey and I were able to join with them and take Reichel and her mom out for a day of shopping for all of the school supplies Reichel would need for that year! Not only did our combined efforts allow Reichel to check off her school supply list, but there was enough to provide for the youngest 2 who would be entering kindergarten this year as well and some food staples to boot!!!
We all shopped, chatted, laughed, and had an afternoon snack break together in one of the most wonderful days imaginable. Their consideration and thrifty-ness in guiding us to the best places to get the most bang for the buck and their continued gratitude just made it that much more fun. We chronicled as much as we could during the day so that those who had donated in support of the family’s education could be with us, even from afar.
The more children who can have support in their educations, the more opportunities they will have to rise above the situations that they are growing up in with hope for the great future that God has in store for them.
If you would like to help a child go to school, please click below. Donations given toward the purchase of school supplies will go directly to the children most in need, unless otherwise specified.
Panama For The New Year
We took a break from the work on the property in Costa Rica and closed out 2016 and welcomed in 2017 in Panama by finishing out the delivery of the potato harvest on the farm that we have been helping. Over 350 sacks of potatoes (along with 300 heads of cabbage, carrots, onions, lettuce and sweet potatoes) were distributed in 2016 to families, orphans, schools, and missions to help feed as many as possible.
Of course, there was a little bit of down time as well (which we always appreciate!) getting to know more of those living in Panama as well as getting to know some more of the landscape and locations!
2017 projects will include the continuation of growing, harvesting and distributing food, along with whatever else God puts in our path! These efforts will be used to deliver to area schools to provide food and teach them how to raise their own food. Stay tuned as we continue to follow God’s lead, wherever it may be!
To help further these projects to feed and educate, please click the button below.
Talamanca Project 2016
We are thrilled to have the privilege of collecting for and participating in the Talamanca project this Christmas. On Christmas day a group will be traveling with trucks loaded to the indigenous region of Talamanca. Talamanca is home to the Hidden People of Costa Rica, the BriBri tribe, as well as to the surrounding peoples who have a total of more than 7000 children. The Talamanca project is in its second year of spending a week in that area for the purpose of delivering CHRISTmas and the hope that it brings, visiting the homes in the surrounding tribal villages (many unreachable by vehicles) and bringing necessities along with a little bit of fun. Food is also brought for the purpose of cooking meals for the people while spending time with them there.
If you would like to participate with us, you can sponsor Christmas to one child for just $10. For every $10 donated, you can help to provide a Christmas gift, clothing, shoes, bedding and food for the child. Donations can be made through paypal at [email protected] and will go directly to provisions for the indigenous children of Talamanca, Costa Rica.
Watch the video below to learn more about the area and the BriBri tribe of Costa Rica:
You can donate throughout the year as we continue to gather necessities in continual preparation for and distribution and ministry to the Bri Bri people of Costa Rica.
Kids Giving To Kids
“This is my bicycle. I want to give it to the little kids in Talamanca so they can be happy and enjoy this Christmas” …… (Doesn’t get much better than this!)
The donations have been pouring in for the children and families of the indigenous “Hidden People” of Costa Rica, The Bri Bri tribe, for the Talamanca Project 2016. Local families, businesses and even children are eagerly giving of their own special items so that they can be a blessing to the over 7000 children living in extreme poverty in the Talamanca area. The best part was getting this video at the donation collection site. To see the precious heart of a child wanting others to be happy/blessed as well by giving of the little that he has is a huge message to all of us. It is so easy to give out of our abundance, but are we willing to give out of our ‘lack’ like the widow who gave all that she had (Mark 12:41-44)? Some of the best lessons in life come from the heart of a child!
“This is my bicycle. I want to give it to the little kids in Talamanca so they can be happy and enjoy this Christmas” …… (Doesn’t get much better than this!)
Thanksgiving Hurricane
Hurricane Otto came in full force to Costa Rica on Thanksgiving Day. Little did we know the ride of uncertainties we were in for that day when the electrical company came through with its announcement car the week prior to let us know that our electricity would be out do to ‘maintenance’ (what else is new?!). IT’s not their holiday, so no big deal ….. but how to cook our hard sought out turkey without electricity, or any of the other new-fangled appliances like a turkey fryer?
We started out on Thanksgiving thinking that we should try to prepare what we could ahead of time, and then attempt to warm everything up on our gas camping stove (which has come in handy more times than you can imagine!). Reports of Hurricane Otto began pouring in the day before, and it had us re-thinking just about everything for the North American holiday that we still attempt to keep alive here in our new world!
We are more than grateful for God’s protection over us yesterday, but our heart breaks for those who weren’t spared the devastation — It’s reminding us to always keep things in this life in perspective — we never know what may come, but we do know Who holds the future!
There are many in need of shelter, food, water, blankets/bedding, clothing, baby items and more …. we are going to be trying to gather up items to bring to those affected by yesterday’s hurricane – if you’d like to join in with us as we try to help, please contact us through private message, or you can send donations through paypal to [email protected]. All donations will go directly to relief efforts here in Costa Rica.
Thank you.
Talamanca Project 2016
We are thrilled to have the privilege of collecting for and participating in the Talamanca project this Christmas. On Christmas day a group will be traveling with trucks loaded to the indigenous region of Talamanca. Talamanca is home to the Hidden People of Costa Rica, the BriBri tribe, as well as to the surrounding peoples who have a total of more than 7000 children. The Talamanca project is in its second year of spending a week in that area for the purpose of delivering CHRISTmas and the hope that it brings, visiting the homes in the surrounding tribal villages (many unreachable by vehicles) and bringing necessities along with a little bit of fun. Food is also brought for the purpose of cooking meals for the people while spending time with them there.
If you would like to participate with us, you can sponsor Christmas to one child for just $10. For every $10 donated, you can help to provide a Christmas gift, clothing, shoes, bedding and food for the child. Donations can be made through paypal at [email protected] and will go directly to provisions for the indigenous children of Talamanca, Costa Rica.
Watch the video below to learn more about the area and the BriBri tribe of Costa Rica:
A Visit From The Gideons International
Dave and Diane Klesh from the Gideons International organization have been traveling to Costa Rica for several years, making their rounds to those serving Jesus. The support that they have given to us has been invaluable! Each time they make it to visit us and we all catch up on what God has been doing, they come armed with Bibles, supplies and other extended donations and necessities.
Thanks to their support and visits several times each year, we have been able to distribute more bibles, along with children’s shoes and clothing throughout our neighborhood. We are so grateful for their service, support, prayer and encouragement! Please join with us in remembering them in prayer as they travel to spread the Good News all around Costa Rica!
If you would like to participate in spreading the gospel by purchasing bibles for distribution in Costa Rica and Panama, please click below.
Let Food Be Thy Medicine Workshop
Costa Rica is such a beautiful, lush place. Guava (guayaba here) fruit trees, passion fruit laden vines, and squash (ayote) grow wild, even on the side of the highways! There is such an appreciation by the locals of the free flowing food that grows seemingly anywhere.
I remember the first time I looked out of our front window and saw kids climbing the neighbor’s tree just to grab a few guavas. One of the children sat in the tree picking the guavas and proceeded to eat his guava at the same time as he was throwing some of his ‘loot’ down to the other kids waiting eagerly below. It was so innocent and sweet – the children were all so excited to be gathering a snack and enjoyed the tart, soft fruit with smiles on their faces.
In our time here, I have learned many of ‘gramma’s remedies’ from my friends. They have shared with me how to cure a cough with honey and newspaper, what leaves to use as a tea for decongestant, and how to use a plant to cure a stomach ache to name just a few. Thankfully, all of those things are right up my alley, as we have used natural means for medicine for a very long time!
As an outreach to teach the benefits of fresh food to the newer generation of processed and fast food junkies, in conjunction with the work that is done on our health website, Passionate For Truth, Pura Vida Missions invited us to hold a workshop. The workshop was designed to explain how to use the herbs and spices grown in our greenhouse on the Relentless Ministries farm as ways to enhance the flavors of fresh food naturally. We were also able to explain many of the health benefits of eating fresh, whole foods to the needy families of their sponsorship program to help their bodies physically as the sponsorship program works with them to help them spiritually.
We have gotten to know many of these families over the years as we have helped out at Pura Vida Missions to reach out, minister to, and serve the needy families that they support. Some very sweet friendships have developed over the years as well. Being able to hear their health concerns and give them tangible, affordable ways to regain their health naturally was a blessing to us as well as to them.
During the 3 hour workshop, families packed the area of the back salon of the mission and eagerly listened and learned about what foods are of detriment to their health. Then we were able to encourage them in how to use healthy replacements of those staple items that they are so used to in order to strengthen themselves more naturally. The response was incredible, and we are getting requests on a regular basis to hold more seminars in the future! Everyone enjoyed the warm bone broth drink and veggie tray complete with home made coconut milk ranch for their snack at the end of the seminar; they even took baggies full for those who didn’t make it to the workshop to go! Sharing how God created our bodies and the foods that best benefit them was a great way to pour more truth into their lives and they received in with gratitude.
We look forward to planning more classes in the future, about food, cooking, and health to benefit all of the families in need of good health!
Construction
Too many people end up on the streets or turning to activities that don’t benefit their lives in their survival mode of providing an income. For those who were unable to finish their education due to the costs of an education or the family needs and burdens, opportunities for steady work are few and far between.
Many young men that we have had the opportunity to talk with or have gotten to know who are in those very situations have expressed that the main thing that they need is a job. No one desires to be jobless, unable to provide for themselves or their families. Most just need an opportunity and people to believe in them and give them a starting place, giving them the tools and training they need to succeed.
What are we doing if we aren’t helping others ‘learn to fish’? Giving money to those in need is a good thing, but how much farther can things go and multiply if the focus is setting people up, giving them opportunities, training them, supporting their efforts, and encouraging them to succeed? Not everyone has money to give, but they can give of their time, knowledge, gifts and talents to benefit another person and allow them to keep on going far beyond anything that you can personally do or give to them.
By providing work for men who are eager to get their hands dirty and not afraid to try, commit and work hard right along side of us, we can not only help them physically, but spiritually as well.
God in His infinite wisdom began leading us in our ‘tent-maker‘ role to use what we were familiar with doing prior to our arrival in Costa Rica. Designing, constructing, remodeling and managing homes as side businesses for over 30 years has allowed us to move forward in earning our way on the mission field while also providing for those in need of jobs. The best part is that this is just one more opportunity to train others up in the ways of the Lord, encouraging them with work and hope at the same time. Our ‘Work Discipleship Program‘ has begun building homes using the talent of our good friend with 30 years experience in construction combined with our construction, design and remodeling knowledge and skills.
Just as Aquila and Priscilla were willing to invest the time necessary to take one young man under their spiritual care and pour into his life the things of Christ, we strive to do the same thing with our Work Discipleship Program. Working side by side with young men to train them to be tent-makers, our goal is to teach them the truth of God as we labor together making it a part of both our life and ministry. And as a result of this time, just as with Aquila and Priscilla, our prayer is that each laborer may become an effective servant of God (1 Cor. 1:12).
Do not take advantage of a hired worker who is poor and needy, whether that worker is a fellow Israelite or a foreigner residing in one of your towns.” Deuteronomy 24:14
If you would like to help support the salary of someone in the work-discipleship program, please donate below.