Missionary Partners Foundation in Costa Rica

A Faith and Prayers Ministry

No Secrets, No Rewards

Take care! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired, for then you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven….  But when you do a kindness to someone, do it secretly—don’t tell your left hand what your right hand is doing.  And your Father who knows all secrets will reward you.

Matthew 6:1, 3, 4
The Living Bible

 

Yes, let’s all “take care” as the Bible text says in some English versions. The Master always took care to do good deeds and to set that example for us.  It would be hard to (continued on page 3)  imagine anyone doing as many wonderful deeds of goodness as Jesus; and yet if anything stands out in His work it is the fact that it was all done very publicly.

He was famous all over Judea, Samaria, Galilee, out along the Phoenician coast, across the Jordan eastward, and up into Syria.  Huge crowds of folks swamped Him wherever He went (Matt. 4:23-25).

There is nothing inherently wrong with kindness becoming public; it is only when good works are done “to be admired”—for self-serving fame—that they get people into trouble and run the risk of cancelling out heavenly rewards. (more…)

Living a life of Ministry and Sacrifice

A few years ago some partners suggested we hire an accountant and take the foundation down a more established path.  We did.

Some suggested that there would be backing for the better plan.  We waited.

With the recession circling the globe our Missionary Partners foundation feels the tighter cinched belt just like our back-home donors.

Minor Gonzalez has been in charge of the books and the main part of the footwork in distributing the funds among the families and students on our project lists.  From 2005 to 2010 he was our only salaried worker. (more…)

Maria Jose

This sweet little girl, Maria Jose, is in fifth grade at the Autumn Miller SDA school.  She earns top grades in her class and is a delight to everyone.  Her mother, Guiselle Chavarria Gonzalez, is raising this child all alone.  She irons and cleans homes to come up with basic living income.  Naturally, her earnings can in no way cover the costs of church school for this daughter.  As in a few other cases, the school made arrangements for Guiselle to spend a few hours daily cleaning classrooms to help reduce the school bill.  Because this mother still has a carry-over debt from last year, it turns out practically impossible for her to catch up and meet the current 2010 charges.  Despite the mounting debt, Guiselle and
(Continued on page 2) her little one pray on and hope for a miracle of God’s love and provision.  Faith and grit keep them on track.  Keep in mind that Guiselle is not an Adventist church member, but she recognizes the spiritual value and moral security of sending her beloved child to this Adventist school.  This mother is willing to work very hard and make every sacrifice for the well-being and education of Maria Jose.  Guiselle also attempts to care for her elderly parents who are in poor health.  Her father is terminally ill.  With the help of our partners, we would like to offer them $1,300 towards the present school year charges.

 

Pressing on against great odds

Gladys Brenes and her daughter Raquel are Costa Rican.  Raquel is paraplegic and requires her mother’s constant help.

The husband/father in this family is on drugs and rarely appears.  He contributes nothing to the welfare of the family.

Raquel is attending the SDA academy. It has been our privilege to cover Raquel’s tuition and school-related needs for all of her years of education so far.  We are very thankful for donations received which have now provided for her entire 2011 school year tuition.

During the course of the year we seek an additional $150 per month for their home needs beyond what Gladys receives from other sources.

Raquel also needs a motorized wheelchair for greater mobility.

This is what is needed:

1. Donor(s) will provide $150 per month to help this single Mom with the expenses for her special-needs daughter.

2. Donor(s) to purchase a motorized wheelchair for Raquel.

 

Making ends meet whit a special-needs child

Some of you who read these missionary letters are well acquainted with what it means to have a special-needs child.

Fatima’s son, Yurgen Leonel, has cerebral paralysis.  How his mother watches over him with such loving care.  Without a complaint, she just faces each new day overcoming the obstacles in their path.

The parents brought their
boy to Costa Rica in order to get better medical attention for him than they had in their homeland.

For several years we have tried to help when we can.

This very week Fatima called in tears. She is struggling with transportation costs to get Yurgen to his special education classes.  If Yurgen does not attend these classes he losses some of his government provided health benefits.

It would be a great blessing if we could hand them $150 per month to help cover their medical and table needs.

Fatima’s husband is the only bread winner, but work is hard to come by, especially for Nicaraguan refugees in Costa Rica.  His immigration papers need to be renewed but the cost is more than they can spare even when it means a better possibility for getting hired.

This is what is needed:

A kind donor or several donors who combined will provide $150 per month to help this family with the extra expenses of a special-needs child.