Los Guido Methodist Church - Panes y Peces

About 4 years ago, Pastor Edgar Ponce opened his home to a few of the children from his congregation for a meal or two. Norma (his wife) just made extra for their family and shared. When the number of "guests" outnumbered their family on a regular basis, Edgar decided to began a ministry of feeding the children two nutritious meals each day. They are now feeding 85 chidren 10 meals each week. Women in the church (mothers of some of the children) prepare breakfast and lunch. The program has grown so much that these women now receive a small salary for their efforts. In a community with nearly 50% unemployment, even a small income is better than none.

The program is called Panes y Peces. Students of Spanish will know this means Loaves and Fishes. While our team is in Costa Rica, we will worship with this congregation. The worship service is quiet different than the one we experience in our Methodist Churches. For sure, no one will fall asleep for it is full of music, dancing and story telling.

Panes y Peces brings families to the church. They now have a weekly youth worship service in addition to the regular Sunday worship. In addition to attending worship there on Sunday (August 2) will may have a work project at the church even if for only one day. Projects such as renovating the current restrooms in the church, adding a woodshop, adding a room for the sewing machines, and making room for a small library are projects that are on the list for summer 2009.

With the arrival of summer break, I hope that team members are finding time to do some extra reading about Costa Rica. What makes this country so very different than most countries in the world? One day, we'll get the answers to all these questions. Blessings.

One More Has Been Added

We now have 20 team members confirmed for July 31- August 9. The most recent addition is Desiree King from Albion, Indiana. Welcome Desiree.

In the weeks ahead, youth are going to be finding support group members or sponsors. Sponsors are essential for our young people. Sponsors are prayer partners for the individual and our team. Sponsors may provide financial support which many times is the only way some youth will be able to participate. And the fun part of sponsoring a youth is when these tired young people return home, the sponsors are right there asking for a report about experiences. Now...kids get busy and find those sponsors.

A scripture passage that might help us focus on our mission comes from 1 John 3:16-17. This is not the gospel of John but the 1st letter to John. It is a small letter, 3rd book from the end of the New Testament. See how this might be a challenge for us not only in Costa Rica but right here in Indiana.

Now for a bit more research about Costa Rica. What religious group is dominant in Costa Rica? What are the top five exports for Costa Rica? As you are doing some reading on Costa Rica, what interesting fact did you find that you would be willing to share? The quiz is just around the corner so I hope you are keeping up.

Our Team Is Growing...

Since my favorite place to volunteer is Costa Rica is the orphanage, I'd like to share more about what we'll find there beside children. This year we will be also greeted by 3 dogs. The new director believes that the pets are good for the children. When we were there in 2008, we were able to meet one of two. I can't remember this dog's name but he followed the kids everywhere, loved to play fetch, and seemed to know his way around. We'll want to enjoy the dogs too but let the children direct how you interact with them.
The weekend we have added 3 new team members. We now have 19 youth and adults preparing to go to Costa Rica. From the Brimfield UMC there are 10 team members (7 youth and 3 adults) and from the Valparaiso 1st UMC there are 9 members (2 youth and 7 adults). We can have more people join the team, the only hitch at this time is getting seats on the airline.
Do you have any idea how many people live in the San Jose area? Do you know the population of Costa Rica? What countries border Costa Rica? One day you may have a quiz so see if you can find the answers....and remember them!

Hailey's Going Back

Here's Hailey Crawford with two friends she met in March 2007. She's responsible for giving me the nudge to take a team of youth back to Costa Rica.
Hailey was a super team member. She never flinched at any task she was given. Kids were around her all the time and she had smiles and hugs for them all. My concern is ... will she be disappointed when she returns? Is she looking for familiar faces? The children who were close to her in 2007 may not be there in 2009. How will she feel if she recognizes one of them but they don't remember her? How will her role as a team member in 2009 be different than in 2007? What was she thinking about when she said she wanted to return?

Hailey is in for a great surprise. The orphanage is a bit different today. The children are housed in family groups rather than age groups. Each "casa" has multi-aged chidren living there...more like a real family. Possibly with a few more children than most of the families we know. What is really special about this huge change is now siblings will be living together. Each house has room for about 12 - 15 children. The older children can now assume some resonsbilities for caring for the younger children.

I know that Hailey will find some new "amigos" this time. We have been told that there will be about 120 children at the orphanage this year (about 50 more than in 2007). They may even be ready for another soccer game. Get ready Hailey. Your group from Noble County may need to practice a bit as part of their preparation for the trip. Who's bringing a soccer ball? I can keep score. Bonnie