Thursday, December 29, 2005
Sixaola Baptist Church
Here is a picture of the Sixaola Church. We will be staying here, on the second floor, with the Gonzalez's. In January 2005, the town of sixaola was flooded. The water rose above the second floor.
Imagine the water rising above the painted "Templo Bautista." That's how high the flood came. We are searching for an actual flood photo. That may be posted soon.
-Peder
Proyecto Sixaola
Last Year's Team
This is last year's team. In the front row, from left to right, Megan, Gail, Hannah, Jon F, and Elizabeth. In the back row, Jon M, Peder, and Jon H.
This year's team photos will be posted soon.
-Peder
Proyecto Sixaola
The Gonzalez Family
Meet the Gonzalez Family!The Gonzalez Family is serving in Sixaola at the Baptist Church. From left to right: Alberto, the oldest son, David, the middle son, Guiselle, mother, Olman, father, and Daniel, the youngest son.
We stayed with the Gonzalez family when we went to Sixaola last year, for Spring Break 2005. We had a spectacular time with them, and hope to have some great experiences on our next trip, Sprint Break 2006.
-Peder
Proyecto Sixaola
Tuesday, December 27, 2005
Our Letter to You
Greetings Family and Friends, brothers and sisters in Christ,
This Spring Break 2006, I will be part of a mission trip to Sixaola, Costa Rica. I am a part of a team of eight university students. We are calling the mission team Proyecto Sixaola (Project Sixaola). We will be serving the church and community of Sixaola by distributing relief items, interacting, sharing, and worshiping with local families. We will also be encouraging those who are ministering in Sixaola.
Last year a team of students went to Sixaola and through their interactions were able to make an incredibly positive impact on a missionary family there. The Gonzalez’s are from Costa Rica and are working as missionaries in the town of Sixaola. They are well into their second year of a three-year mission term. The family consists of Olman (father and pastor), Guiselle (mother and co-minister), and their sons Alberto, David, and Daniel. They left the capital city of San Jose to serve in this forgotten town. Among Coast Ricans, Sixaola is known as a center for drug and sex trafficking, poverty, and immigrants. The town is devastated annually by flooding from Rio Sixaola. Life and ministry are very hard there. Last year, the team was a great encouragement to them to continue in ministry, leading Guiselle to say, “You are angels sent by God to us and one day when you need it God will send angels to you as well.”
Because of the way we saw God move during the trip last year and the relationship that we have with the Gonzalez family we desire a continued interaction with them. Some of the group decided to make a return trip this year and others have joined the team. We see a great benefit in inviting others to join us in this ministry by supporting us financially and through prayer. Though only eight of us are going on the trip, each person who will support us in either of these ways is an integral part of the ministry that we will do there.
You can follow us on a daily basis by looking at our journals and pictures that will be posted on the web at http://proyectosixaola.blogspot.com. By doing this we hope that you will feel involved in what we are doing and will know how to pray more effectively for us.
We will be partnering with International Ministries, which is an organization that has already established a relationship with the Gonzalez family and partners with them in their ministry in Sixaola. You can send donations to International Ministries* with a memo directed to 2006 Eastern Costa Rica Mission Team. This will allow for tax-deductible giving. We are gathering financial support to cover the expense of airfare and lodging expenses in Sixaola for the team members. Any donations that go above this amount will be used to further the ministry of the Gonzalez family in Sixaola. Last year we purchased a number of items such as flashlights and lifejackets that would be of use in rescue efforts during the annual floods that devastate Sixaola. The family continues to need various items as a part of their ministry to the local people. Financial support will not only help the mission team, but will also be of support to the Gonzalez family and the people of Sixaola.
Our team invites you to partner with us in this ministry through your financial and prayer support. Your support is invaluable and we thank you in advance for your involvement in this ministry. Even if you are not able to support us financially, we cannot overemphasize the importance of your involvement through prayer. Thank you!
In the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
And the Proyecto Sixaola Team
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” –Romans 15:5-6
*Checks can be mailed to International Ministries, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851. They should be made out to International Ministries with Attention: 2006 Eastern Costa Rica Mission Team.
-Peder Wiegner
Proyecto Sixaola
This Spring Break 2006, I will be part of a mission trip to Sixaola, Costa Rica. I am a part of a team of eight university students. We are calling the mission team Proyecto Sixaola (Project Sixaola). We will be serving the church and community of Sixaola by distributing relief items, interacting, sharing, and worshiping with local families. We will also be encouraging those who are ministering in Sixaola.
Last year a team of students went to Sixaola and through their interactions were able to make an incredibly positive impact on a missionary family there. The Gonzalez’s are from Costa Rica and are working as missionaries in the town of Sixaola. They are well into their second year of a three-year mission term. The family consists of Olman (father and pastor), Guiselle (mother and co-minister), and their sons Alberto, David, and Daniel. They left the capital city of San Jose to serve in this forgotten town. Among Coast Ricans, Sixaola is known as a center for drug and sex trafficking, poverty, and immigrants. The town is devastated annually by flooding from Rio Sixaola. Life and ministry are very hard there. Last year, the team was a great encouragement to them to continue in ministry, leading Guiselle to say, “You are angels sent by God to us and one day when you need it God will send angels to you as well.”
Because of the way we saw God move during the trip last year and the relationship that we have with the Gonzalez family we desire a continued interaction with them. Some of the group decided to make a return trip this year and others have joined the team. We see a great benefit in inviting others to join us in this ministry by supporting us financially and through prayer. Though only eight of us are going on the trip, each person who will support us in either of these ways is an integral part of the ministry that we will do there.
You can follow us on a daily basis by looking at our journals and pictures that will be posted on the web at http://proyectosixaola.blogspot.com. By doing this we hope that you will feel involved in what we are doing and will know how to pray more effectively for us.
We will be partnering with International Ministries, which is an organization that has already established a relationship with the Gonzalez family and partners with them in their ministry in Sixaola. You can send donations to International Ministries* with a memo directed to 2006 Eastern Costa Rica Mission Team. This will allow for tax-deductible giving. We are gathering financial support to cover the expense of airfare and lodging expenses in Sixaola for the team members. Any donations that go above this amount will be used to further the ministry of the Gonzalez family in Sixaola. Last year we purchased a number of items such as flashlights and lifejackets that would be of use in rescue efforts during the annual floods that devastate Sixaola. The family continues to need various items as a part of their ministry to the local people. Financial support will not only help the mission team, but will also be of support to the Gonzalez family and the people of Sixaola.
Our team invites you to partner with us in this ministry through your financial and prayer support. Your support is invaluable and we thank you in advance for your involvement in this ministry. Even if you are not able to support us financially, we cannot overemphasize the importance of your involvement through prayer. Thank you!
In the Name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ,
And the Proyecto Sixaola Team
“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” –Romans 15:5-6
*Checks can be mailed to International Ministries, P.O. Box 851, Valley Forge, PA 19482-0851. They should be made out to International Ministries with Attention: 2006 Eastern Costa Rica Mission Team.
-Peder Wiegner
Proyecto Sixaola
