Brian & Deborah Jones Mission to Costa Rica
Donation protected
Will you join us in serving and making a life-changing impact in the lives of the people of La Carpio and Pavas, Costa Rica?
(The family we had a privilege of building a house for last year in Tijuana, Mexico)
We have the unique opportunity to be a part of our church's, Life Church, mission trip to Costa Rica on March 8-16, partnering with Christ for the City International. Our vision as a church is to reach and impact lives for Jesus, "down the street, across the border and around the world", as our pastor frequently says. We've had the privilege over the past few yearsto be the hands and feet of Jesus in our community and in Tijuana, Mexico. Now, with your prayers and support, we have an opportunity to make an impact in the poorest area in all of South America - La Carpio & Pavas, Costa Rica. Will you consider helping us?
About La Carpio & Pavas
La Carpio is the largest slum in Central America, and home to around 40,000 people, including 20,000 children.
La Carpio is the city dump, and measures only 1.4 miles in diameter - yet 40,000 people live here!
Kids growing up in this community have an almost non-existent chance of getting any form of employment besides construction work. Cramped conditions lead to many family members sharing small spaces, which produces high rates of disease spread and staggeringly devastating statistics of incest and sexual abuse. Missionaries in La Carpio believe that up to 90% of children have been sexually assaulted by their 12th birthday. This has led to an epidemic of STDs, teenage pregnancy, and very young, single mothers.
There is only one primary school. (K-6th grade) for the 20,000 children. Three school shifts take place throughout the day, and children only attend school for around 2.5 hours. Upon graduation this puts them at a severe disadvantage to attempt any high school classes. There is no high school for them to attend within the slum, and so only those children whose parents can afford the bus fare out of the area have the privilege of attending. A large number of youth without schooling or employment has led to drug and gang communities.
(This is what the housing of La Carpio & Pavas look like.)
The area of Pavas is home to 117,000 people, and is one of the most dangerous areas of Costa Rica in terms of gang violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and poverty.
The ministry in Pavas we'll get to be a part of provides food for over 250 people each week including children, on Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Fridays. One of the churches we'll be partnering with is a church led by missionary and pastor, Christian Leon. The church is made up almost entirely of people that Christian himself has evangelized and taken off the streets; out of drug and alcohol addicted lives and into the freedom of the Gospel. This church congregation runs a youth group, as well as street ministry (evangelism, clothing, food and haircuts for the homeless among other things).
(The family we had a privilege of building a house for last year in Tijuana, Mexico)We have the unique opportunity to be a part of our church's, Life Church, mission trip to Costa Rica on March 8-16, partnering with Christ for the City International. Our vision as a church is to reach and impact lives for Jesus, "down the street, across the border and around the world", as our pastor frequently says. We've had the privilege over the past few yearsto be the hands and feet of Jesus in our community and in Tijuana, Mexico. Now, with your prayers and support, we have an opportunity to make an impact in the poorest area in all of South America - La Carpio & Pavas, Costa Rica. Will you consider helping us?
About La Carpio & Pavas
La Carpio is the largest slum in Central America, and home to around 40,000 people, including 20,000 children.
La Carpio is the city dump, and measures only 1.4 miles in diameter - yet 40,000 people live here!
Kids growing up in this community have an almost non-existent chance of getting any form of employment besides construction work. Cramped conditions lead to many family members sharing small spaces, which produces high rates of disease spread and staggeringly devastating statistics of incest and sexual abuse. Missionaries in La Carpio believe that up to 90% of children have been sexually assaulted by their 12th birthday. This has led to an epidemic of STDs, teenage pregnancy, and very young, single mothers.
There is only one primary school. (K-6th grade) for the 20,000 children. Three school shifts take place throughout the day, and children only attend school for around 2.5 hours. Upon graduation this puts them at a severe disadvantage to attempt any high school classes. There is no high school for them to attend within the slum, and so only those children whose parents can afford the bus fare out of the area have the privilege of attending. A large number of youth without schooling or employment has led to drug and gang communities.
(This is what the housing of La Carpio & Pavas look like.)
The area of Pavas is home to 117,000 people, and is one of the most dangerous areas of Costa Rica in terms of gang violence, drug and alcohol abuse, and poverty.
The ministry in Pavas we'll get to be a part of provides food for over 250 people each week including children, on Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Fridays. One of the churches we'll be partnering with is a church led by missionary and pastor, Christian Leon. The church is made up almost entirely of people that Christian himself has evangelized and taken off the streets; out of drug and alcohol addicted lives and into the freedom of the Gospel. This church congregation runs a youth group, as well as street ministry (evangelism, clothing, food and haircuts for the homeless among other things).
Our primary mission: our team is going with one major mission - to replace the corrugated roof and repair the electrical wiring of the outreach base (they call it a Transformation Center) which is next door to a brand-new (and much needed) school the government just completed building.
Additionally, we will be working on interior renovations to the Transformation Center such as tile, kitchen, and overall cleaning. We will be serving along side the missionaries who are there as well, participating in after school programs with kids, feeding programs, door to door food distribution and evangelizing, volunteering in their job training programs and English classes.
(On the left is the new government school, to the right you can just start to see the corrugated roof of the Transformation Center.)
This is a much-needed elementary school for children who otherwise would have no other opportunity for any education whatsoever. The Transformation Center next door will be focused on offering tutoring and after-school programs for kids to keep them off the street, avoiding falling into a life of gangs (as is normal) and to provide them with a hot meal.
(A group of kids at the Transformation Center.)
Unfortunately, the outreach base roof is full of holes. The rain and wind whip through there and pour in, and as is, makes the base useless in winter months. Further, the electrical wiring is unsafe and dangerous as wires just hang from the ceiling. This is an ambitious project but we believe God will enable us to complete it.
(You can see the holes where the light is shining though)
(Here you can clearly see the wiring draping down in the corner and across the wall.)
Would you be willing to help us with your prayers and financial support? Even $20 helps!
We realize this request may seem odd to some as we both work full-time, and this may seem like supporting our "vacation". In reality, you're supporting not just our mission but the people of La Carpio and Pavas. We will simply be an extension of those willing to support us. Obviously, we could just donate directly to the ministry there. However, they need people who are willing to physically be there to do the work and love and care for the people in the community. We are sacrificing a lot of time and energy, and are more than willing to do so financially as well. Even if we don't raise $1, we are going. Unfortunately, if we're unable to raise any financial support for this trip it means there's people and causes we generously give to that we'll have to cut out to fuel this mission by ourselves. We're hoping this won't be the case.
In addition to Facebook friends, we'll be specifically asking people we know love and support us if they'd be willing to donate in support of this mission. If 100 people give just $29.70, we'll reach our target of $2,970.00!
Anything raised above our target will go to other team members, some of whom we've already heard are struggling financially to go. Further, we need $5,000.00 in building materials and supplies to complete the construction project of replacing the corrugated roof and replacing the electrical. Your generosity will be greatly appreciated to make this a reality.
***We have deposit due dates of 2/10, 2/24 & 3/3.***
You may not have the time, ability or desire to do a mission trip. But that doesn't mean you can't make an impact! You have the opportunity to change the personal and family stories of the people of La Carpio & Pavas, through your prayers and financial support! You have the chance to make a lasting impact and leave a legacy in the lives of men, women and children in these communities. Will you join us in doing so?
For those willing to help financially, you can either do so here or you can mail a check. If you support by check, please make it out to "Life Church" and in the memo section write, "Costa Rica - Brian & Deborah Jones". You can mail it to either Life Church or to us. Life Church, 4255 Clayton Rd., Concord, CA 94521. Brian & Deborah Jones, 1900 Lynwood Drive, B, Concord, CA 94519
Even if you can't support us financially, would you be willing to join us in prayer? (And if you are willing to support us financially, we'd love your prayers!) We'll be sending out specific prayer requests as they become known to us. Right now, we (as in, our team) need prayer for financial support for each team member and the materials & supplies needed for the construction project; unity; safe travels; discernment and revelation as how best to use our time there.
We'll update this page as the agenda for our time there becomes more specific. For those willing to support us through prayer and/or financially, we'll share the pictures, videos and stories your generosity and impact makes with you once we return.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support; please let us know if you have any questions!
Brian & Deborah Jones
Additionally, we will be working on interior renovations to the Transformation Center such as tile, kitchen, and overall cleaning. We will be serving along side the missionaries who are there as well, participating in after school programs with kids, feeding programs, door to door food distribution and evangelizing, volunteering in their job training programs and English classes.
(On the left is the new government school, to the right you can just start to see the corrugated roof of the Transformation Center.)
This is a much-needed elementary school for children who otherwise would have no other opportunity for any education whatsoever. The Transformation Center next door will be focused on offering tutoring and after-school programs for kids to keep them off the street, avoiding falling into a life of gangs (as is normal) and to provide them with a hot meal.
(A group of kids at the Transformation Center.)
Unfortunately, the outreach base roof is full of holes. The rain and wind whip through there and pour in, and as is, makes the base useless in winter months. Further, the electrical wiring is unsafe and dangerous as wires just hang from the ceiling. This is an ambitious project but we believe God will enable us to complete it.
(You can see the holes where the light is shining though)
(Here you can clearly see the wiring draping down in the corner and across the wall.)
Would you be willing to help us with your prayers and financial support? Even $20 helps!
We realize this request may seem odd to some as we both work full-time, and this may seem like supporting our "vacation". In reality, you're supporting not just our mission but the people of La Carpio and Pavas. We will simply be an extension of those willing to support us. Obviously, we could just donate directly to the ministry there. However, they need people who are willing to physically be there to do the work and love and care for the people in the community. We are sacrificing a lot of time and energy, and are more than willing to do so financially as well. Even if we don't raise $1, we are going. Unfortunately, if we're unable to raise any financial support for this trip it means there's people and causes we generously give to that we'll have to cut out to fuel this mission by ourselves. We're hoping this won't be the case.
In addition to Facebook friends, we'll be specifically asking people we know love and support us if they'd be willing to donate in support of this mission. If 100 people give just $29.70, we'll reach our target of $2,970.00!
Anything raised above our target will go to other team members, some of whom we've already heard are struggling financially to go. Further, we need $5,000.00 in building materials and supplies to complete the construction project of replacing the corrugated roof and replacing the electrical. Your generosity will be greatly appreciated to make this a reality.
***We have deposit due dates of 2/10, 2/24 & 3/3.***
You may not have the time, ability or desire to do a mission trip. But that doesn't mean you can't make an impact! You have the opportunity to change the personal and family stories of the people of La Carpio & Pavas, through your prayers and financial support! You have the chance to make a lasting impact and leave a legacy in the lives of men, women and children in these communities. Will you join us in doing so?
For those willing to help financially, you can either do so here or you can mail a check. If you support by check, please make it out to "Life Church" and in the memo section write, "Costa Rica - Brian & Deborah Jones". You can mail it to either Life Church or to us. Life Church, 4255 Clayton Rd., Concord, CA 94521. Brian & Deborah Jones, 1900 Lynwood Drive, B, Concord, CA 94519
Even if you can't support us financially, would you be willing to join us in prayer? (And if you are willing to support us financially, we'd love your prayers!) We'll be sending out specific prayer requests as they become known to us. Right now, we (as in, our team) need prayer for financial support for each team member and the materials & supplies needed for the construction project; unity; safe travels; discernment and revelation as how best to use our time there.
We'll update this page as the agenda for our time there becomes more specific. For those willing to support us through prayer and/or financially, we'll share the pictures, videos and stories your generosity and impact makes with you once we return.
Thank you so much for your prayers and support; please let us know if you have any questions!
Brian & Deborah Jones
Co-organizers (2)
Brian Jones
Organizer
Concord, CA
Deborah Jones
Co-organizer