Monday, October 23, 2006
A View of Costa Rica
Costa Rica is a lovely, mountainous little country, and although it is only 10 degrees north of the equator, the central valley has a very pleasant climate due to the altitude. The first photo is of the Orosi Valley, a favorite place to take a Sunday afternoon drive. The photo was taken from the Mirador (overlook) at the head of the valley ( a favorite picnic spot). The second photo was taken near the stream where we baptize, high in the cloud forest above Orosi Valley. Hope you enjoy the views.
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Introduction to Crafts4Christ
Welcome to Crafts4Christ. This site is dedicated to women in need. The purpose of this site is three-fold. First, to share with you how the Ladies Outreach Ministry and Crafts4Christ came to be and what our goals are. Secondly, to share news about our ministry and our family with you. And, thirdly, to keep you updated on how God is blessing our efforts to reach the women here in Costa Rica. Your questions, comments, and help are all sought and greatly appreciated. We love hearing from you and value your input.
Blogging is a new experience for me, and will definitely be a learn-as-I-go project. I hope to get out a new update at least once a month. Including photos of the ministry, of the family, and of Costa Rica is also planned. Your prayers will be greatly appreciated as I learn.
Again, welcome to Crafts4Christ.
Blogging is a new experience for me, and will definitely be a learn-as-I-go project. I hope to get out a new update at least once a month. Including photos of the ministry, of the family, and of Costa Rica is also planned. Your prayers will be greatly appreciated as I learn.
Again, welcome to Crafts4Christ.
Purpose and History of the Ladies Outreach Ministry (LOM)
How LOM came to be:
For most of the nearly 21 years that we've been on the mission field, I have been extremely busy with homeschool. Being a home schooling mother with 5 children in 5 different grades at the same time can keep you very occupied! BUT children grow up and I was slowly working myself out of a job. A few years ago when 3 of the 5 had left home I began to pray that God would give me a ministry. Not that I wasn't doing anything. I was. I was (and still am) teaching children's Sunday School. I was (and still am) the music director during church services. However, I felt that there was something special out there just for me. Something in which I could use my talents.
One Sunday morning after church I realized just how common in-home abuse is here in Costa Rica and immediately felt that God was bringing the problem to my attention. Then, a few weeks later, while talking with a Coasta Rican friend, she found out I knew all about crafts. Her immediate reaction was: "Teach us!"
"Who is us?" I asked.
"Me. My neighbors. You can use my house." The LOM was born in the house of Maria Elena Leiton in Barrio Nazaret in Cartago. There are now 4 groups in 4 different communities, and there is a possibility for a fifth group.
Purpose of LOM:
The purpose of LOM is to provide support, to teach a marketable skill, to improve living conditions, and to offer salvation and hope through the devotionals/Bibles studies.
Society has done little or nothing for these emotionally and physically battered women. Their abusive husbands isolation them from friends and family, making them prisoners in their own homes. They have been made to believe they are ugly, stupid, and worthless. They have no hope in this life or in eternity. Through the group devotionals they learn of a loving God who gave His own Son to save them, and they are given the opportunity to take free independent Bible Study courses.
These women feels themselves as isolated and alone. Their outreach group meets in their community and offers support. Through the group they are able to develop friendships and come to realize they are not alone. Someone does care about them and about their situation.
The outreach group teaches crafts such as crocheting, embroidery, cross-stitch, doll making, and more. Through the learned skill and the increase of income the living conditions of the entire family is improved.
A Plea for Help:
The simple truth is that as a ministry grows so does the need for more funding.
Up until recently, the monthly average was well under $100, and there was nothing steady about the amount. Not having a steady amount makes planning crafts and projects difficult. The ladies of our home church in the USA recently took on the challenge of a set amount to give toward LOM each month. It has been a great blessing.
I would like to challenge you to such a committment. The funds coming in now are averaging around $300/month and I am most grateful as are the ladies in the groups. However, we need more. As each group grows and as the number of groups increase more funds are needed, and it is through God`s people that it must be provided.
Below is information you will need if you would like to help the LOM here in Costa Rica:
Checks need to be made out to: Kathie Nolasco
Funds need to be sent to our home church at this address:
Ladies Outreach Ministry
c/o Maranatha Baptist Church
1111 Outer West Broadway
Madisonville, Kentucky 42431
** Please be sure to include a note if you wish the funds to be used for anything specific such as material, yarn, paints, etc.
Thank you so much for your prayers and help. Would love to hear from you.
Blessings from Costa Rica,
Kathie
For most of the nearly 21 years that we've been on the mission field, I have been extremely busy with homeschool. Being a home schooling mother with 5 children in 5 different grades at the same time can keep you very occupied! BUT children grow up and I was slowly working myself out of a job. A few years ago when 3 of the 5 had left home I began to pray that God would give me a ministry. Not that I wasn't doing anything. I was. I was (and still am) teaching children's Sunday School. I was (and still am) the music director during church services. However, I felt that there was something special out there just for me. Something in which I could use my talents.
One Sunday morning after church I realized just how common in-home abuse is here in Costa Rica and immediately felt that God was bringing the problem to my attention. Then, a few weeks later, while talking with a Coasta Rican friend, she found out I knew all about crafts. Her immediate reaction was: "Teach us!"
"Who is us?" I asked.
"Me. My neighbors. You can use my house." The LOM was born in the house of Maria Elena Leiton in Barrio Nazaret in Cartago. There are now 4 groups in 4 different communities, and there is a possibility for a fifth group.
Purpose of LOM:
The purpose of LOM is to provide support, to teach a marketable skill, to improve living conditions, and to offer salvation and hope through the devotionals/Bibles studies.
Society has done little or nothing for these emotionally and physically battered women. Their abusive husbands isolation them from friends and family, making them prisoners in their own homes. They have been made to believe they are ugly, stupid, and worthless. They have no hope in this life or in eternity. Through the group devotionals they learn of a loving God who gave His own Son to save them, and they are given the opportunity to take free independent Bible Study courses.
These women feels themselves as isolated and alone. Their outreach group meets in their community and offers support. Through the group they are able to develop friendships and come to realize they are not alone. Someone does care about them and about their situation.
The outreach group teaches crafts such as crocheting, embroidery, cross-stitch, doll making, and more. Through the learned skill and the increase of income the living conditions of the entire family is improved.
A Plea for Help:
The simple truth is that as a ministry grows so does the need for more funding.
Up until recently, the monthly average was well under $100, and there was nothing steady about the amount. Not having a steady amount makes planning crafts and projects difficult. The ladies of our home church in the USA recently took on the challenge of a set amount to give toward LOM each month. It has been a great blessing.
I would like to challenge you to such a committment. The funds coming in now are averaging around $300/month and I am most grateful as are the ladies in the groups. However, we need more. As each group grows and as the number of groups increase more funds are needed, and it is through God`s people that it must be provided.
Below is information you will need if you would like to help the LOM here in Costa Rica:
Checks need to be made out to: Kathie Nolasco
Funds need to be sent to our home church at this address:
Ladies Outreach Ministry
c/o Maranatha Baptist Church
1111 Outer West Broadway
Madisonville, Kentucky 42431
** Please be sure to include a note if you wish the funds to be used for anything specific such as material, yarn, paints, etc.
Thank you so much for your prayers and help. Would love to hear from you.
Blessings from Costa Rica,
Kathie
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