Merry Christmas!

Merry belated Christmas from myself (Rebe) and the Strong Missions staff. 

Isaiah 9:6 
For a child has been born for us,
a son given to us;
authority rests upon his shoulders;
and he is named
Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

May we remember Christ´s birth and celebrate it throughout the entire year.

Thank you for being His hands and feet throughout the world.

Blessings from our family to yours. Feliz Navidad!

Looking for summer interns......

Do you speak Spanish? Do you know someone who does? Would you like to spend time in Costa Rica serving the Lord by serving teams coming to work and serve with Strong Missions? Apply to be a summer intern ASAP! If interested, email Rebecca at freiburgerose@hotmail.com to receive an application. Applications due Feb. 1st.

From Charlie:
Merry Christmas!

Okay, folks, tonight begins the big 24 hours, when all donations made will be doubled, up to 50K per organization and 500K maximum for all organizations under the Advance Program of the United Methodist Church. Remember, all donations are tax deductible and need to be made online, with the info below, between midnight tonight and midnight tomorrow, Eastern Time, and the earlier the better to make sure it gets doubled. That means you can give beginning at 11 tonight if you're Central Time, 10 Mountain, and 9 on the west coast.

We still need about 30K to feed the 350 to 400 kids per day over the upcoming summer vacation, beginning in a couple of weeks, as well as continue our education programs, scholarships and tutoring centers. We've about got December covered but your gift could certainly help us the rest of the vacation plus contribute greatly to the upcoming year, as we'll feed 140 per day all year long after the kids go back to school in February, and the education never stops.

Please give at the following website with the info below, and shoot us an email once your gift is made, so that we can track it. Thanks so much. You're gift will make a difference.

Click to donate

Please make sure when the new webpage opens that it is a secure site and it says “Strong Missions Loaves and Fishes (#3021552)” at the top.

Did you know?

• $35 can feed one child nutritious meals for a month
• SM has 4 feeding programs - 2 year round in La Carpio and Los Guido, and 2 in Carrillos in Dec-Feb
• 1 education center with 60 students enrolled who are trying to receive their GED

100% of your donation goes to Feeding, Education, and Family Support Programs

Click here to give.

From 12:01am - 11:59pm EST on Tuesday, December 3, the General Board of Global Ministries for the United Methodist Church will match online donations dollar for dollar up to $50,000 per project.
 

Give EARLY. There is a limit of $500,000 for ALL UMC projects.

Staying informed and involved!

Hello Everyone!

Wondering how you can stay up-to-date on the happenings at Strong Missions when you aren’t here in Costa Rica? WELL you’re in luck!

We could not accomplish anything without our partners in mission and would like to keep you all informed and involved!

Follow this link

and sign up for our mailing list. Even if you think we have your contact information, please sign up!

In addition, please forward this to at least 5 of your friends that may be interested in hearing about our continued work!

Please take 30 seconds out of your day to follow this link and fill out this quick and easy form.

Take care and have a blessed day!

La Carpio update

There are constantly changes. Depending on when you were there last, you will see a lot of difference from the pictures. As you can see, the sanctuary has been expanded and now it´s one big room. They recently took down the “storage” in the sanctuary, and moved it off to the side, and added the front part of the building to use to feed the children. The pastor and the congregation are trying to make the “church” the best it can be, but clearly know that the “church” is the people worshipping and working together for the glory of God.

We (well the kids) had our first salad using the veggies from the community garden at the Evangelical Methodist church in Carrillos while we were there. Exciting!

Currently, 60 children on average are receiving a nutritious meal on Sunday and Tuesday-Friday. The pastor´s wife, Cristiana and some volunteers from the church are taking turns cooking. Nicole (from NJ) and Stan (from VA) were also there in Nov. to help serve the children. Stan was mega-famous. Everyone wanted their picture with him.

My favorite part was when Kevin (in purple shirt) would not stop following him around. He wanted to play and just chill out with Stan. Even to the point when we were meeting with the pastor and all the other kids were running around and making noise and Pastor James asked them to leave, Kevin quickly took a seat next to Stan and just sat and waited 20 minutes for the meeting to end.

When Nicole was on her way to Carrillos and talking to the driver of the van about La Carpio, he “blessed” her saying it was dangerous, etc. When Nicole arrived in Carrillos, she told us this story. Stan said yes it´s “dangerous”, you might just leave your heart behind.

La Carpio and the children and the people we have met there have touched many of our hearts. And many of you like Stan and myself, have left part of our heart there. We are thankful for everything we are blessed with and know that God has blessed us so that we can bless others in return. God will take your blessings and multiple them.

Please continue to pray for the work that God is doing in this place. Blessings and Happy Thanksgiving!

For more pictures-click here.

November Dental Clinic

Thanks to 15 dentists from the US/Canada and 3 local dentists from Costa Rica, last week 150 patients were seen in 3 days. Extractions were done every day-OUCH, and cleanings for 2 of the 3 days.  

Thank you also to all the people who helped, between check-in/check-out, translators, “cooks” aka instrument sterilizers, runners to get more supplies, those that handed out fliers, etc.

Here are a few pictures of the clinic.

For more pictures: click