Last night was backpack distribution at NUAFA, a local nonprofit helping families with children recover from difficult situations. We collected more smiles and blessings from grateful children and parents.

Now the work of our visiting volunteers is drawing to a close although the work of FOC continues. Throughout the year, Karen fields requests from groups and individuals willing to bring donations or do a bit of community service while visiting the island. FOC makes connections between those with resources to spare and those who could benefit from some help.

Thanks to our regular local volunteers and leadership team including Karen and Larry (Cozumel/Iowa); Phyllis and Gary (Nebraska); Ilene and Byron (Texas); and Sandy, Ray, Nuria, Samantha, Lynn, April, Susan(Cozumel). And special thanks to our visiting volunteers including Roger and Diane (Nebraska); Barbara, David, Lara, Wil, Treva, Hettie and Mike (Texas); Lia and Calen (Ohio).

What lasting impressions do the volunteers have of their work during this mission week?

From Sami, one of our youngest volunteers: “I liked (working with) the kids with disabilities. They can play, they can touch and they can have fun. I liked that. It’s good that they didn’t have to be at home all the time.”

From Mike: “It’s a unique opportunity to share with families of Cozumel. Otherwise we get no opportunity to give back to the island that’s given us so much. It’s a blessing. I got lots of hugs. I got little hugs and kisses from the kids. You never get those in the U. S. except from your own grandkids.”

From Nuria: “I’m exhausted. But don’t print that. I actually had a great time even though I was working at a new job during that time.”

From Karen: I’m really excited about the focus on education. That’s really important to me. For example, we had a workshop for day care training for the first time, plus the day camp and that really benefits the community. They learned so much and it has an impact on families to help them become self-sufficient. It’s been great having (youth volunteers) Sami, Wil, Nuria and Calen with us, too.

From Larry: “It’s great to see the returning people who’ve done it before. They’ve been here, done that and they came back. Plus the new people who joined us—that was great. We’ve never had anyone say that it wasn’t meaningful. Everyone has said they plan to do it again.”

From Ilene: There’s nothing better than being able to come on a trip like this and bring my daughter and grandson along to develop a heart for mission work. It just doesn’t get any better than that.

Well said. It just doesn’t get any better than that. –Phyllis

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Gran Bazar is an activity we’ve been doing for several years now. We almost have it down to a science. Almost.

Here’s the formula for how we create this island version of a yard sale. First find hundreds or maybe even thousands of donated items–clothing, shoes and household goods, both new and used—and find a way to get it to Cozumel. Then sort and price each piece low enough to make it affordable for families in need. We’ve learned that people take pride in paying even a few pesos for an item—equivalent to a just a few cents—rather than asking for something to be given to them.

Once items are priced, we pack them up in suitcases and begin looking for someone willing to help us transport them to our sale location. Thanks to Kelly from Cozumel Rocks for taking time off work to bring her truck to help us.

Finding a place to hold a sale can be a challenge. The ideal location is in the neighborhood of the families we’re trying to help. In this case, the bazar was “inside” Vida Abundante, the open-air church. Rather than the typical U.S. approach of taking out ads in newspapers to advertise the sale, we print just a few small fliers and rely on the neighborhood grapevine to spread the word. It works amazingly well. We had a long line of people waiting to get in an hour before the sale was to begin. That’s evidence of the scarcity of valued goods in neighborhoods where resources are very limited. There are no Goodwill stores here. No dollar stores. And even if families had transportation to other parts of town, they wouldn’t necessarily be able to pay the prices in the most affordable stores.

Our sale was staffed by several Friends of Cozumel volunteers as well as church members. The masses showed up, not caring how hot or crowded it was. And they found bargains—donated fashions from U.S., new clearance items from Walmart, lots of gently used but serviceable t-shirts, shoes and other household items. Once the sale was over, we packed up, hauled it back to FOC headquarters and stored to for the next sale.

The pesos earned from the sale are put back into FOC projects and then we start planning to do it all over again. But not right away. Our Gran Bazar formula is very good, but we still have one variable in the equation that we haven’t been able to fix—a bit of exhaustion. Once we’re rested up we’ll begin again, so let us know if you’re coming to Cozumel and are willing to bring a suitcase full of donations. We’d love your help. –Phyllis

 

Doors and hearts were wide open at Casita Corazon’s open house last night. It was a chance for the community to take a look inside the little casita serves as a place for therapy for children with disabilities. The therapy house is sponsored by Carrie’s Heart, a nonprofit organization.

When Friends of Cozumel first started working on this house last February, it had been an abandoned property with leaks in the roof, layers of paint falling from the walls, broken windows and a garden area that was reverting to jungle.

Now it’s a cheery and welcoming home that includes a kitchen, a room for physical therapy, living quarters for the caretaker’s family and accommodations for visiting therapists.

Donors and visitors had a chance to enjoy the space, including the wall that recognizes contributors. As the light faded and the children turned drowsy, Carrie handed each volunteer and helper a gift that read “What the heart gives away is never gone…it is kept in the hearts of others.” –Phyllis

The children make it all worthwhile. Of course the adults we’ve met are always friendly and so appreciative of our help, but there’s just something about that look of pure delight on a child’s face. It makes you forget that you’re hot, tired and sweaty. And it motivates you to do even more to help.

Yesterday we spent the afternoon on an outing with the Camp Corazon crew. The day camp included some children with disabilities, some without, and several teen-aged counselors. We played games, went swimming and burned a lot of energy. Our goal was to stimulate the senses of the day camp children and expose them to new experiences.

Here are just a few pictures that show moments that we’ll carry in our hearts long after we leave Cozumel. Click on the photos to enlarge and leave us your comments below. We’d love to hear from you. — Phyllis

I am flooded with thoughts as my wife, Barbara and I wrap up our small portion of the mission efforts here in Cozumel!  God continues to speak to me in new ways and open my eyes to so much. Here are some impressions and reflections.

 

In Genesis 2:31, after God finished His creation, He declared it to be very good. As you look around here in Cozumel would you agree that creation is indeed very good?  Large resorts, Cruise ship terminals, incredible beaches, jungles, and marine life are abundant. Then you head four or five blocks off the main tourist drag and see people living in abject poverty. I know there is poverty to rival this all over the world. Don’t you think that breaks God’s heart?  You see that broken heart and His reaction in the hearts and faces of people drawn here to volunteer.  Hearts soft with compassion for those less fortunate. Hearts recognizing how truly blessed they are. Hearts desiring to share time, talents and treasure given to them from God.

When I am preparing for a church service, I ask God to tell me what He has to say to His people. I had a chance to experience that in a language I don’t even speak. Sunday, we visited Vida Abundante and were ministered to by God through Gary, Larry and Pastor Mariela. Praise songs in Spanish still moved my heart as I felt the Holy Spirit’s direction. The message was about having a choice – an important one.  God tells us what we should do, gives us Christ as a guide and the Holy Spirit as a helper, then leaves the choice up to us. What will you choose? Daily?

Tonight was the carnival. The kids began to gather as we set up. We had eight games to set up in a very small space.  That would never be enough back home!  There were probably 200 kids – all ages – with parents. They seemed a bit unsure at first but warmed up quickly. Every game and small prize was greeted with Gracias!

I was amazed – all those kids – no hostility or pushing and shoving. They were glad for the fun and appreciative of the small tokens given as prizes. I think of kids around home. They have so much and don’t seem to recognize how blessed they are. What a contrast!

As we prepare to head home tomorrow, it is with mixed feelings. Back to the rush of our lives, but deeply impacted by what God has shown us here. You don’t need a lot to have love and happiness. That’s a lesson I really want to remember. Until God gives us the opportunity to return – Dios de bendiga! — David Dean

 

In one of the neighborhoods far from the tourist zone, the Vida Abundante church held a festival for youth and families. Friends of Cozumel created carnival games using our typical methods–constructing, re-purposing, making do with what we have.

Nuria designed and painted the backdrops for a bean bag toss and a fishing game. Larry and Calen fashioned a bowling game out of plastic bottles. A tub of water became a duck pond, and embroidery hoops became a ring toss game. Prizes were gathered from donors who must have had a ball at the dollar stores in the U.S. But you couldn’t have asked for more enthusiasm from those who took part.

The evening began with the crowd lining up for their free game tickets. Then everyone did the Chicken Dance followed by a heartfelt prayer from Pastor Mariela and David, FOC volunteer and chaplain of Texoma Chapel in Texas. It seemed a bit strange, but what better way to engage a crowd and remind us that we all have much to thankful for, regardless of our diverse cultures and beliefs?

Once the games began, it was a mass of warm bodies and even warmer smiles. As the FOC volunteers played the role of carnies, both kids and adults vied for the prizes. They stayed until the last ticket (and our energy) was spent.

It was a fun evening of church outreach to families that might not otherwise have an opportunity to hang out with a bunch of clowns. –Phyllis

 

 

 

A couple of days ago we sorted thousands of pencils, notebooks, erasers and other school supplies into 153 backpacks. These backpacks go to children in need to provide supplies required for school attendance. Our first round of distribution was last night, and what a great time it was. Imagine the just barely controlled chaos of excited children, parents, volunteers and interested onlookers in the open-air church called Vida Abundante (Abundant Life).

At this distribution site, our focus was on students identified by Pastor Mariela as those most in need of help. Dressed in their Sunday best, they first attended a church service then waited patiently to receive their backpacks. The air was filled with the type of anticipation we all probably felt as children just before gifts were to be opened at Christmas. But would we have been as grateful as these children were to receive simple notebooks, rulers and glue sticks?

After our lists were checked, students were called to the front to choose a backpack that had been filled with the required materials for their grade level. Then they tried on shoes, picked out two pair of new socks and finally, selected new underwear from the precious supply of donations.

“It’s very good to help the kids when we can’t buy what we need. If we have no materials, we don’t go (to school),” said Antonio, a student headed to the university. He hopes to become an acenciado, or a licensed professional such as an attorney.

As students left, many practiced their English with a “thank you” to volunteers. Other church members gave hugs and kisses to the FOC volunteers, saying “Dios le bendiga” or God bless you.

Asked for a comment in English, Pastor Mariela said “Happy, happy, happy.” Then in Spanish she added “This is so wonderful to see all the children smiling. This project is such a blessing to our community.” –Phyllis