Church Team Changes Lives
Short Term, Interns, Volunteers/Europe/Church/Evangelism
When this church returned home to report about their trip, a surprising thing happened.
When OM’s ministry ship Logos Hope was in Costa Rica, they sent a team of volunteers to work alongside the Oro Verde Foundation in cleaning up beaches from litter in Puntarenas. The Oro Verde Foundation addresses environmental concerns in Costa Rica and Central America. Puntarenas is Costa Rica’s largest province and one its most important tourist destinations.
The volunteers learned about one of the foundation’s own employees needing some real help, too. In true Logos Hope spirit, the team made sure it would be part of the solution. By keeping in touch with a pastor who would be able to set up a meeting, the team was able to meet María, mother of the Oro Verde Foundation employee.
One of the foundation’s employees needed help, too. The team made sure it would be part of the solution.
Maria’s small house was falling apart. The roof was caving in, letting in water and the metal roofing sheets were full of holes. Supporting beams, made of several pieces of wood put together, were decaying.
The head of the Logos Hope maintenance department heard about this situation and decided to address refurbishing the most urgent needs first. Under his direction, the maintenance team tore everything down. They lifted off the roof and replaced the sheet metal. María’s only source of water had been an outdoor hose, so the team dug around the house and installed two taps inside.
“The lady was in a really difficult situation…seeing this spirit of working with joy was a big encouragement!” – David, a worker from Paraguay
David, a worker from Paraguay, says, “Helping anybody is always exciting. The lady was in a really difficult situation and being there with this wonderful group doing different jobs … and seeing this spirit of working with joy was a big encouragement. It is better to give than to receive, and this was a great opportunity to be giving!”
The ship’s team raised money to pay for the materials so they could cover all expenses of the work, giving lasting help and financial relief to María.
Tony, a worker from France, recalls that they had tackled the job in order of priority. What wasn’t done in a day––and much was–– would be finished on day two. But weather conditions forced the Logos Hope to leave Costa Rica early, and the team was not able to return.
Still, the volunteers had a sense of accomplishment. They had taken care of the most critical aspects of the rehab work. They could rest easy at what was left undone because they had donated all the materials and tools they had bought in for the work. This meant Maria’s own community would be able to finish the work on her house.
David would have liked to see the project through, of course. “I was very sad that we missed the last day; I was very much looking forward to it. That is why I came on the ship, to get out and meet people; that’s what I love to do!” he tells us.
María, as you might imagine, was thrilled. “I am very grateful to God and to you for being here! I can imagine that now we will be sleeping better––because we won’t be getting wet!”
Your hands, your heart, your material help travel with us across the miles, the oceans, the shores to homes like Maria’s; to volunteers like David; and to communities in every port of call that the Logos Hope is commissioned to enter. For your partnership, we are very grateful, and we hope you sense how you really do accompany us on these adventures!
