Sign-up for 2012!!!!

Hi Everyone,

Make sure you are signing-up early for 2012, especially if you want to lodge at the Strong Missions House or Hotel Horcones. We are filling up for some dates. Remember, based on team size, we can host multiple teams at once.

So get your info sheet in please, so that we can hold your dates and your lodging request, and start to make reservations for your fun trip too.

Hope to see you back in 2012!

PS....check out the educational blog post from 2 days ago.

Strong Missions Fishin' Mission

Hello friends and family, the Strong Missions Fishin' Mission is now up and running. Check out the new page at strongmissions.com for details, and come and enjoy some of the best fishing in the world, fresh and saltwater.

Education News

I need to say a few words about the ever-growing education program we are sponsoring for the Bishop of the Evangelical Methodist Church, Fernando Palomo, and the churches for which he cares. In addition to the Education Center we opened the beginning of 2011 in Los Guido, and its success this year, we are at the end of this 2011 opening two additional sites in Alajuela and in Palmares.

2011 is ending with 58 young to older adults studying all day every Saturday in Los Guido, with 32 taking exams the end of October. Others are still working on their legalization papers, and until those are finalized they cannot take such exams. Regardless, the education they are receiving is helping them to better educate themselves and the children in their households as well as providing the example to those children and to all the community that such education is important and necessary. Ideas and mindsets are being changed, and that is a miracle in and of itself.

Now at the end of November and beginning of December 2011, education will be provided in Alajuela and Palmares Methodist Churches, each open two nights per week. We expect between 100 and 200 students to participate in these two programs, based on those who have already signed up. Depending on their economic situation, some students are asked to pay a little for material and exam costs, which also helps cover the costs of their fellow peers who are less fortunate. We are providing the remainder, including salaries and travel expenses for the teachers, books, and other expenses when the students cannot afford them. Of course this is the case for the majority of Los Guido students, who cannot afford much if any to offset material and exam costs.

The overall cost for the 3 education centers, beginning the end of this year and carrying forth until October of 2012 (exams are held in April and October) is $19,058.82. In addition, we now have 7 students signed up for educational grants, ranging from elementary school to college students, and we expect as many as 15 total by January of 2012. We begin the scholarship program the 1^st of January to help with uniforms and supplies for the new school year, which kicks off the first week of February. To provide scholarships for all 15 students, it will cost approximately $750 per month or $8250 for an 11 month year, with our last scholarship payment to families falling at the beginning of November.

We absolutely need your help with this work. There is nothing more important than education if we really want to break the cycle of poverty. Do not believe for a second that a small donation does not help us in this work. Everything counts, and God will take your gift and multiply it. Believe it! We certainly do. Let us know if you want to partner with us. These folks are working hard to better their lives, they deserve it, and you and I are called by our Lord to help. I look forward to hearing from you…

Paz y bendiciones, Charlie

A short greeting from Charlie.....

Hello folks,

First I want to thank all of our partners in 2011 who helped to make it a successful year for the project recipients. We certainly were able to get a lot done, and it looks like with so many returning and so many new partnerships being made, we’ll be able to accomplish even more in 2012. God is so good!

I also want to say a special thanks to the folks who helped us construct our own office and dormitory space for our U.S. full and part-time staff, and I hope you know that your work is helping us to work more effectively and efficiently. How nice it is to have an office, and not have 8 people working out of a closet! Thank you for your work and your continued faith in us as we work to meet needs here in Costa Rica all year long.

Paz y bendiciones, Charlie

Strong Missions August Team Pictures

We have added pictures of each August team to the facebook site. Check it out! That's a lot more pictures! We are working hard on signing up 2012 teams.....sign up now! don't delay! We would love to have you back with us.

Thank-you to all our teams this year for your hard work and support. May God continue to bless you and your families. And may He continue to bless our work for the glory of His Kingdom.

Strong Missions July Team Pics

We have added pictures of each July team to the facebook site. Check it out! Not professional quality, except maybe Molly's pictures but we just wanted to share with you a little of that which we have. Come back soon!