New Year - New Faces

Some teams have had the pleasure of meeting her already, and others may have noticed a new name posting to the our Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and blog.

We have an addition to the Strong Missions family and we officially to introduce Brianna Selch to all of you!

Bri has been a great addition to the team and many of our new and returning team leaders have been working with her to plan their trips this year! We could go on all day about Bri but instead I will let her do it:

Hola,

My name is Brianna Selch and I am from Avon, Indiana.  Since 2008, I have constantly felt God’s call for me to serve, and would not consider a summer complete unless I went on a mission trip with my church.  Throughout most of my high school career, I hated the Spanish Language, but those feelings changed during my senior year, when I began to love the language.  I strongly believe that God played a huge role in my change of heart toward the language, knowing I would eventually move to Costa Rica and join the Strong Missions team. 

In August 2016, I earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Spanish along with a Certificate in Latino Studies.  Just a few months prior to graduation, I came to Strong Missions for the first time with my home church, Bartlett Chapel UMC.  I quickly fell in love with Costa Rica, as well as all of the opportunities that Strong Missions offers to serve the community.  I immediately knew I wanted to become a part of the team and begin helping the people of Costa Rica.

I am eager to start this adventure on which God has led me, and I look forward to meeting all of you that are called here to serve as well!

Please Join us in Welcoming Bri Selch to the Strong Missions Staff!

Personal Message from Charlie Strong

You may have seen it on Facebook but here is a personal message from Charlie about 2017.

We really need help this year. We have two-thirds the work teams signed up we usually have at this time. This means we're cutting salaries and staff and we really don't want to have to cut the programs. We need to provide for the programs shown below plus the feeding and education programs in place. We currently serve 400 kids and there's so much more to do. $15 sponsors a kid in arts or sports for a month. $35 feeds a kid for a month. $30 provides a school scholarships for a kid for a month, and it's tax deductible. www.strongmissions.com. Thanks!

Thank You Letter From Dance Student

We wanted to take an opportunity to share a letter from an 11-year old dance student from Carrillos.  Below are pictures of the letter followed by a translation.

Thank you for all your continued support.  All of your prayers and donations go to support programs and children just like her!

"Strong (Missions) has left a mark on my life.  It's something that I love, not only is there discipline there is fun, and also I thank Karla who supports us in dance, for being the person who not only taught me to dance but also believed in me and my team and it doesn't matter to be in the corner because we will always be part of something because we are a team.

Also, I want to tell Karla that not only do I see her as a teacher I see her as a great example because I see that she is a very good person and full of God.  And with her I am going to laugh, cry and dance because it's this person that I love a lot and is very special to me.

Thanks to Strong (Missions) many children like me have benefited with the dance group and have achieved our dream of dancing.  Thanks for helping me to achieve my greatest dream.  I hope that all of the boys and girls take advantage of the great opportunities because in the world there are many talented children and in the future I hope I can help the boys and girls from all over the world and be a very good and talented person like them.

I thank you very much Strong (Missions) and Karla for being these people that have helped me believe in myself and the team and also I want to thank you for all of the great support and help.  Thank you all for everything.

Goodbye,
Fabiola Hernández Quesada"

REMINDER: Intern Applications Due Jan 15th

Hello All,

Every year Strong Missions looks for energetic youth to come and spend the summer serving with us here in Costa Rica. This year is no different. If you are interested in hearing about an exciting opportunity to serve the people of Costa Rica through serving with Strong Missions please contact nick@strongmissions.com or reply to this email.

Look forward to hearing from you!