Dear friends and family,
This past couple of months has been quite busy, and we continue to be amazed at the doors that are opening up for us this year. Here's a quick synopsis with some pics.
Tsimari
We are continuing our relationship with Tsimari. This year, we have made two trips. In January, we were blessed to have Timothy and Mark Jones, along with Seth (a Cabecar believer from another part of the reservation) accompany us for part of the trip. We all worked alongside the community refinishing the school desks and chairs, and then had a community meeting where Timothy and Seth read from the Bible in Cabecar and did some teaching. We were also able to help the community organize themselves to request for a new teacher.
On February 19th the community inaugurated the school with a quick meeting, the Cabecar version of cutting the ribbon (machete to a banana leaf), the distribution of school uniforms and supplies, and, of course, food. We were blessed to have Saukeen Jones (one of our missionary partners) and Leslie Michaud (Family Medicine resident from Mayo Clinic) along to experience this with us.
Another big blessing was to be able to see how the community is working hard in making a horse trail to Tsimari. The old trail is only accesible by foot, because it is dangerous for horses. They are about halfway done with the trail, which will make life easier for carrying goods in and out of the reservation.
Bajo Chirripo
Bajo Chirripo is at the opposite end of the reservation from Tsimari, and is a place we had not explored before. We were blessed to have Phillip Jones, a second generation missionary fluent in Cabecar, take us on a four-day scouting trip through this area of the reservation. It was such a blessing to have Phillip as our guide, as we met with four different communities regarding their resources and needs: Xiquiari, Almirante, Bäyei, and Sarkli. We were also able to visit several schools and health outposts to observe their condition and location. Phillip really helped us to understand the lay of the land, as well as the location of the different social groups (or "clans") throughout this area. Of the many needs identified during this trip, two are priority for these communities: rebuilding the bridge over the Chirripo river (which affects the first three communities we visited), and water for the community of Sarkli - which does not have a good source of water during the dry season.
New Developments
The Lord is opening a tremendous amount of doors for the ministry this year. Here are a few:
New non-profit organization:
With the help of our friends in San Antonio, the Lord has opened up the opportunity to form a non-profit organization specifically for the ministry based out of Paso Marcos in Costa Rica. The name of the organization is Indigenous Community Development International (ICDI) and is now able to receive tax-deductible donations, and we will no longer be using Miracle Village International to recieve donations. Details are at the bottom of the blog.
Microenterprise program:
With the active involvement of Ron Sweet and his students from University of Texas in San Antonio, we have begun a microenterprise program for the people in Paso Marcos and surrounding communities. This program will support the locals (primarily farmers) through microlending and helping them make and adhere to business plans, coupled with educational support by professional and student agronomists with the University of Costa Rica. The program has already begun with one of Ron's students from his "Business Basics" course given December 2009, with several other applicants in the works.
Government healthcare system:
As some of you may recall, a few years ago we began a continuing medical education program for the Cabecar government health promotors, which was discontinued due to bureaucracy. The doors have been opened again for us to restart this program, beginning in March.
In addition, due to restructuring in the government healthcare administration, we have been able to present the proposal for a new healthcare model for the reservation. This proposal is being well received, and we have been asked to take an active part in all the discussions related to restructuring the healthcare system on the reservation. We thank God for the patience to wait for His perfect timing for all of this, and for the doors He has been opening.
Interinstitutional Commission for Indigenous Affairs of Turrialba:
This past Wednesday we both hosted and were invited to be a part of a commission headed up by the government entity over indigenous affairs, which has representatives of all the government entities involved with the indigenous, as well as a few private organizations. It is a dream come true to be able to be a part of a coordinated effort to work together, with both the private and public sector, in accomplishing meaningful projects with the Cabecar people. This is coming at a time when many in the public sector are realizing that the traditional paternalistic approach has often caused more harm than help. We are truly seeing a change in people's hearts and minds when it comes to working with the indigenous. We will continue to meet with this commission every month.
Paso Marcos Bridge:
This past Sunday the engineer and his team who helped to build the bridges in Tsimari came to inspect a future bridge site for over the Pacuare river in Paso Marcos. Currently (as some may remember), this site is occupied by a cable car, which is in very poor condition (established 1971). The engineer has committed to help with the design and construction of this bridge, and the community is very excited about this. This would really help the people on the other side of the river access our place. We will be working on raising the funds and getting the permits for construction.
Thanks again, everyone, for your continued support and prayers. May God continue to bless you.
By His grace,
Alekcey and Judith
Alekcey, Leslie (Mayo resident), and Judith beginning their hike into Bajo Chirripo
Bajo Chirripo
The Chirripo bridge (or lack, thereof)
Giovanni (our Cabecar guide from Sarkli) surprised us on the trail one day by catching a bat. Phillip then caught another one, presumably to make bat soup for dinner. Fortunately, they had already killed a chicken for us when we got there.
A short stop on the long hill up to Sarkli
The house where we met and stayed in Almirante
Alekcey, resting on a rock upon arrival to Bäyei
Severiano, Evelyn, and Katia in Bäyei
Cooking rice for dinner in Bäyei
Evelyn and her cuddly kitty in Bäyei
Our group with Abraham's family, our hosts in Bäyei
A brief visit to Bäyeiñak
A quick mid-hike swim in the river on a hot, sunny day
Meeting in Sarkli (with Phillip Jones)
Interinstitutional Commission of Indigenous Affairs meeting in Paso Marcos
Seferino, Aniceto, and Jose Luis met us early in the morning to help take food and school supplies up to Tsimari for the inauguration
Hiking to Tsimari with Saukeen Jones
Part of the new trail to Tsimari- what a beaut!
Drawing feet to purchase the right size of boots for the schoolchildren of Tsimari
Tsimari school inauguration
Cutting the "ribbon"
The students of the Tsimari school
An inauguration isn't complete without food!
Enjoying good food and fellowship at the inauguration
We were so happy to see Romaldo, one of the leaders in Tsimari, clean up the school after the inauguration on his own initiative. This is a true sign of a sense of community ownership!
