This
Thanksgiving we spent with missionary friends in San Jose. A year
ago we went to Paso Marcos to celebrate with Dan and Lori Friedly, a
missionary couple on our ministry team. Who would have thought that
the Lord would bring us to minister alongside them a year later?
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| Paul organizing the shop at the Center. |
Our
mission director asked me (Paul) to maintain the buildings and
grounds at Emanuel Community Development Center. It is the base of
operations for Association Project Emanuel (APROE), our ministry in
Paso Marcos. This is a mountainous, agricultural area on the border
of the Cabécar Reservation. The Center is used for dental clinics,
English classes, and to host mission teams. There are plans for the
future to have a thrift store and a classroom with computers.
I
started making trips out to Paso Marcos in October, but soon realized
the 3 hour drive from San Jose to the Center was eating up valuable
time and funds. We moved to Paso Marcos in November. It
is a good change for me as I feel more productive during this quite
time of gaining my strength back. My mind is active solving problems
and learning to maintain structures and landscape in a tropical
environment. My maintenance background has served me well in this
new challenge.
 |
| The Indigenous Advisor on Culture Day. |
Many
things have happened in Paso Marcos in the past few weeks. The
Indigenous Advisor to the Minister of Public Education came to visit
for Culture Day. Students and teachers from the three Paso Marcos
District schools celebrated their own Cabécar culture with a program
and displays. These schools use both Spanish and Cabécar books.
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| Mission team from San Jose. |
The
same weekend a mission team from some churches in San Jose built a
new classroom for one of the Paso Marcos schools. A few years ago
only 6 children attended Sikua Ditsa School. Now 36 children are
enrolled and they need more room.
 |
| Turrialba Volcano |
Then
there was the day that the Turrialba Volcano erupted. The next
morning we saw a big plume rising above the volcano. It is about 20
miles west of the Center and we have a good view of it from Dan and
Lori’s porch.
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| Coffee is ready to pick at the Center. |
This
week the coffee pickers are out in full force. The bushes are
bursting with the ripe, red “cherries”.
Dan
and Lori are on furlough and we are temporarily staying in their
house and driving their car. We are praying the Lord will provide us
with housing, a vehicle and the needed funds for these. We are
currently receiving 33% of our monthly financial goal. If you want to
give a special gift or begin supporting us on a regular basis, send
funds marked for Paul and Bridget Abbott to:
Hellimission
PO
Box 538 Lima NY 14485
585-624-5509
Or
donate online at http://theabbotts.webs.com/donate
Thank
you for supporting us through your emails, prayers and financial
gifts. The Lord has been so faithful to provide what we need when we
need it.
In
His service, Paul and Bridget
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