A kitchen turns into a rehearsal hall for Larry, Jay, Gary and Julie's practice for Vida Abundante.
Their plane was on the ground for less than a hour when Julie and Jay, our newly arrived volunteers, were put to work. They began rehearsal with Larry and Gary to prepare the piano, guitar and vocal music for Vida Abundante’s evening worship service.
FOC volunteers provided music at Vida Abundante, a church without a building. Although it lacks a floor, previous donations from FOC made it possible for the metal roof over the lot.
This service marked the first use of the wooden platform constructed by Byron, Ray, Hoyt, Gary and Larry. Pastor Mariela and the congregation were so appreciative—both for the music and the construction work.
It was a festive evening that also included performances from children’s groups and presentation of Bibles to new members. The Friends of Cozumel organization also gave the pastor a challis for communion services.
A challis for communion was donated by Friends Of Cozumel to Vida Abundante as Karen translates for Pastor Mariela.
“God’s work is coming through your hands to us,” said Pastor Mariela (as translated by Karen). She had the children hold their hands overhead as they repeated a blessing meant for us.
“Our congregation blesses those who were involved and the congregations of all of your churches,” the pastor said.
“We have already been blessed by this service,” replied LaFonda. “This was a mutual blessing.”
Earlier in the day, work was at a frenetic level to price and organize thousands of donated items for the Gran Bazar. Imagine a huge yard sale with nearly one-half ton (literally) of used and new clothing. People crowded around the gates surrounding the area an hour in advance of our opening time.
The FOC Gran Bazar gave people access to affordable clothing. Proceeds will help fund future projects.
Clothes that many of us would discard in the U.S. are like gold here. At times, local families pool their few pesos to purchase an item so that first one child can wear it, then it will handed down on to the next and the next and so on. Nothing goes to waste. And the excess that we take for granted in our own privileged lives is literally unimaginable to a who a woman who may own only one or two changes of clothing and a single pair of rubber flip flops.
A young shopper was so pleased with her new outfit that she returned to the Gran Bazar to show us.
Thanks for donation transportation from volunteers like Dave and Jamie who sacrificed a bit of their winter in Nebraska to vacation in Cozumel. We couldn’t do this without the help of so many kind souls. Every person we’ve met is so very appreciative and we pass on that appreciation to all of you.–Phyllis
FOC muscians were among the first to use the new 12 x 8 foot worship platform that they helped make.
Handicap accessibility of public facilities is something many of us from the US, Canada or other developed nations take for granted . . . yet it is NOT the norm here in Cozumel or other locations in Mexico. The good news is we’re seeing a change in new construction to include handicap accomodations. However, scarce resources and lack of awareness/education is a barrier to remodeling existing structures. 
Approximately 15-20 children ages 1-4 currently attend daycare. Most of these children are from families with very limited resources who qualify to receive “becas”, scholarships for nutritious meals served at daycare. 
Singing in the New Year, the Wesley Choir from Chapelwood United Methodist Church in Houston, TX cruised to Cozumel on January 2nd. They shared their love of singing, provided donations to benefit the community and enjoyed the island’s beauty at Chankanaab Park.
Receiving the donation of bibles on behalf of the Cozumel community was a delegation of 14 local pastors and their family members; representatives from Christian mission and rehabilitation efforts; as well as volunteers who coordinated this volunTOURism event. The bibles will be shared among various church congregations and new mission efforts. 
