Tony & Rosita, for at least a few years, have been throwing Christmas parties for the children and their families in some of the surrounding cities. It is one aspect of the grand vision they have with their ministry. In the past, they have had teams who not only had their own micro-bus, but also had full sound systems, puppets, a drama and were – all in all – well prepared to entertain hundreds of people for two to four hours. (Yeah, pretty certain these “teams” have not been WR teams. J) This year, they expect to reach, roughly, 1500 children (and family members) through the course of the seven parties.
Wow.
To say that we feel like we don’t have much to offer this beautiful couple in meeting this need is an understatement. We don’t have our own transportation. We don’t have a sound system. We don’t have puppets. We don’t have ANY idea how we are going to entertain hundreds of people for two to four hours.
Our (unmet) expectations of ministry to at-risk children has met with their (unmet) expectations of a team of people who have not only done farm work, but are also fully prepared to throw multiple Christmas parties for young people with the intent of winning their hearts for Jesus.
I suppose we could sit in a sense of frustration and fear. But, we’ve chosen not to. We’re praying. And, we have no doubt Father will provide everything necessary for successful parties beginning December 20th. The passion for the ministry, as a whole, and these little parties is evident when you hear Tony & Rosita talk. They’ve been working to get the Foundation up and running for 10 years. And still…there is joy, excitement, laughter and faith that it will come. The dream is to rehabilitate young Nica men who’ve immigrated (illegally) to Costa Rica due to being orphaned. They will house, love, educate and train them in agricultural trades while grounding them in the love, security and freedom of Jesus Christ. As the men outgrow that portion of the ministry, they hope to have another farm where the men can go and begin to make a living for themselves by continuing on with what they were taught.
