Owning a piece of land to develop a place to worship has been a dream for Vida Abundante’s (Abundant Life) congregation. For years the congregation has borrowed space to worship in a garage, rented a small empty building and when they didn’t have the funds to pay the rent, they moved to a rented lot. Members have been working tirelessly every week to earn money by cooking/selling food, used clothing and other efforts just to raise enough money for the rent, electricity and water.
They’re a growing congregation willing to work hard to create a more stable center for worship for the purpose of reaching out to help other families in need. Click here to learn more about Vida Abundante and see before/after photos of donations and mission projects Friends of Cozumel donors and volunteers have contributed to support their efforts.
During church service Sunday evening Pastor Mariela announced the first step church leaders are taking to turn their dream into reality . . . They have set a goal to raise 30,000 pesos ($2,700 USD) by December 1, 2011 for down payment to purchase a lot. Each adult is asked to personally contribute 1,000 pesos ($90 USD) and each child 300-500 pesos ($27-$45 USD). Children are encouraged to save 2 pesos daily by not purchasing a snack like they normally might do and putting the money in a can to save until December. For most adults 1,000 pesos is a daunting amount of money, especially during the next seven months when tourism is low (and therefore many people will not have work). For those who work, the general minimum wage is about $4.70 US per day (not per hour); not enough to support a family let alone contribute to the congregation’s goal. “Professional” minimum wages range between $7 – $16 USD per day depending on the type of job. Curious about wages in Mexico? Go to: http://www.wageindicator.org/main/minimum-wages/mexico
Will they reach their goal? I don’t know . . . but if their incredible faith, determination and personal commitment to making this happen are indicators, I predict YES! Speaking of commitments . . . you have to admire leaders of challenging efforts like this one. Pastor Mariela who is a single mother supporting her two sons without a consistent income said “I’m going to be the first to make a personal commitment of contributing 1,000 pesos by December . . . Now who is with me? Raise your hand.” Yep . . . she was taking names and writing it all down right there from the pulpit in front of everyone.
For those who didn’t volunteer by raising their hand Pastor Mariela handled it with such grace, making personally supportive statements but calling on nearly everyone to assume some responsibility by saying things like “Sister Minerva, we know you are out of work and times are hard for your family, do you think you could personally commit to 500 pesos by December?” Friends of Cozumel volunteers who have helped at recent Gran Bazars may remember that Minerva is the church volunteer who greets people (and guards) the gate. To a group of men from an addiction rehabilitation program who were participating in the service, pastor gently explained to them and the rest of the congregation “We don’t expect you to contribute unless you feel you are able because our first concern is your healing rehabilitation and you are helping us build a strong congregation.”
While we might be surprised if this approach was used in a traditional church service in the US or Canada, it works here with a congregation and culture where everyone tends to know everyone else’s family situation and they all pitch in to help one another.
Vida Abundante has not asked for donations for the down payment nor did Pastor Mariela ask us to personally contribute. Larry had volunteered to play the keyboard for special music during the service. We looked at each other and instantly independently decided we wanted to contribute too so we raised our hands and made the commitment. Later Larry shared with me “It is less than $20/month for the next seven months so I can easily set that aside by not eating out once a month.” I’ll pose the same question as Pastor Mariela did . . . Who is with us? I admit that I THOUGHT about raising my hand several more times and making the commitment for several other Friends of Cozumel volunteers/donors as well as the SAIL Group . . .but I didn’t want to get in trouble by speaking for others! Please join us if you’d like to contribute . . . any amount will be appreciated. We can facilitate the church receiving your donation. Contact us: karen@friendsofcozumel.com to request info how to make US tax deductible contributions. We like the fact Vida Abundante is not looking for a handout or a quick fix . . . they expect to work hard over time to develop a worship center to reach out to the community.
The church has already submitted documents to the municipal government requesting the option to purchase a discounted lot in one of the new developments where new homes (small one and two room cement structures) are being built. The city government will select and sell a few lots at a reduced rate to ensure community services are available to support families. At this point they don’t know if/when or where they might have the option to buy a lot, but they want to be ready! ~~Karen
Sewing Classes: ~20 women continue to attend sewing classes 3 afternoons weekly. See the photo of participant (at left) with instructor, Elizabeth (right). The class has just finished learning flat pattern design and are sewing their first of 10 garments during the four month class. Projects vary depending on skill level (i.e. simple bouses, dresses, shorts, fitted jackets for two-piece special occasion outfits) and include sewing for other family members or friends.
Iguanas thrive in these hot, dry conditions. They seem to be more visible and active than ever. Several newcomers took up residence in our backyard while I was in the US. The “regulars” include eight iguanas plus three land turtles . . . a small version of “Wild Kingdom” when they are all out and about. As I am typing this blog posting an iguana is scratching at the sliding patio door looking inside . . . the nerve! In contrast to their energy, I feel perpetually “wilted” in the unrelenting heat. 
Visiting Jose’s family yesterday afternoon was a humble reminder that many local families have little or no relief from the elements . . . no AC or fans, no well water without rain so washing dishes, clothes or bathing is limited. 
WOW . . . A record number of 23 women are participating in a new four month long sewing class sponsored by
“Impact. Make One.” . . . A compelling message from Susan G. Komen for the Cure, ranked the #1 most valued non-profit brand by Harris Interactive poll and recognized as one of the most trusted charities. 
Used or new tools needed (revised from April 1 posting) include 25 of each of the following: small Crescent (adjustable) wrenches, Channel Lock (slip-joint) pliers, hammers (regular or small size), slotted screwdrivers, Phillips screwdrivers, metric tape measures (regular or shorter lengths of 3m or 12’+). These sets of tools will be used to teach the classes then each participant will receive a set of 6 handtools in a zipper pouch (for tools up to 12″ long). In addition, we need 3-5 electric drills with various size masonry bits (i.e. 1/4″, 3/8″) for a small project to be made during class and installed in each participant’s home or organization’s facility. 
A pilot class(es) will be held during the 
Volunteer repair projects may be shall we say “less than glamorous” but so important in helping local organizations focus on what they do best . . . helping children and families. For example, last month we discovered the float in 
NUAFA and Vida Abundante Church both had broken toilet handles for months. The organization leaders didn’t know how to fix it so they coped by taking the top off the toilet and manually flushing it every time it was used. Can you imagine operating a daycare and trying to potty train children with a toilet that doesn’t flush? Or not having a fully functioning toilet for your church congregation, especially with a number of young children who can’t manage to lift the top off the back of the toilet? Mission volunteers repaired these in a few minutes with parts costing less than $2US. 
GREAT NEWS . . . Eloisa Buenfil, NUAFA’s President, asked me to share with Friends of Cozumel volunteers, donors and supporters . . . (Translated from Spanish) “Many thanks for all your support. Thanks to our God the end of the past week we passed two very difficult inspections for the daycare but everything was agreeable and the truth is they were happy with us for being the only daycare that complies with all their documents in order and for this reason, we very much appreciate all that you have contributed. We are very grateful and congratulate you also because this achievement is from each one of you brothers and sister. Many thanks.” 
The end of last week marked a marathon inspection process that has been going on for weeks, sometimes with conflicting expectations between different government agencies. During a 3 hour inspection from Federal Level SEDESOL (government agency) representatives, EVERY document was reviewed in detail as well as the facility. At the same time Proteccion Civil (local Cozumel Fire Department) did an inspection. 
NUAFA children, their families and staff LOVE the bright, clean environment! The The Federal inspection team marvelled at the condition of the facility with the newly painted rooms as well as the educational decorations (wall designs and mobiles) saying it was THE best in all the state of Quintana Roo and beyond! The past two Friends of Cozumel Mission Trips have focused on enhancing NUAFA’s facility. In October 2010 we moved the daycare kitchen to an outside patio to reduce fire hazards as well as installed an emergency exit door and stationery gas tank on the roof of the daycare. The interior walls of the daycare were scraped, painted and decorated with wall paper borders. Earlier this month, Mission Trip volunteers did facility repairs, built a storage cabinet, designed and made educational mobiles and applied wall decorations to support pre-school learning. See the BEFORE, DURING and AFTER photos by scrolling down this page to the March 21 post. 
Want to lend a helping hand to benefit the community?
From left: Jill, Steven, Erika and Mike Tharalson enjoy their last spring break vacation meal at the downtown plaza. The Thoralsons returned home to Woodbury, Minnesota earlier this week. 
