Hey Dopers! This has been cleared by SkipMagic.
You may remember a few years ago I posted a request for medical supplies for a ministry my church has in San José, Costa Rica. You were phenomenally generous and we collected TONS of thermometers and anti-biotic ointments, which were distributed to poor families in a neighborhood called Pavas.
This neighborhood is plagued by gang violence. The same trip when we took down the Dopers’ medical supplies, we were robbed at gunpoint (about 1/2 way down our short-lived blog). The kids are what we call “virtual” orphans because their fathers are mostly absent, and their mothers are on drugs, prostituting, or working too many hours if they are able to find work. We go down and visit 2 or 3 times a year to work with the folks in the church. The church in Pavas, called Iglesia el Pesebre (Church of the Manger), is truly the only bright spot in a dark, dangerous neighborhood.
When we go we stay at a women’s ministry called CEDEPCA. CEDEPCA is an umbrella organization that supports various ministries in Central America. You can read more about them in HERE. . (The picture on the top left of the woman in orange playing guitar is Rebeca, who leads the efforts in Costa Rica.) One of the tenets of CEDEPCA is to, “Promote the dignity and self-esteem of women; work to eliminate violence against women”.
The ladies who work for CEDEPCA there are doing amazing things for women. Unfortunately violence against women is very prevalent. Many women accept it as part of life. Rebeca and her comrades instill in these women that they are beautiful creations worthy of respect and dignity. They offer shelter from violence if needed. They offer education and job training so these women can learn to be independent. The women become self-sufficient. Rebeca has an incredible 120 women in 8 different classes right now.
CEDEPCA is the reason for this post. We all know that economic times are hard. They say when the US economy gets a cold, the central american economies get pneumonia. Rebeca has just found out that her funding from CEDEPCA has been drastically cut. She is in danger of losing the building she rents to teach these classes and shelter the women.
We need to raise $2,000. If you want to be part of this woman-affirming ministry, if you want to really make a change in the lives of women in an impoverished part of the world, consider making a contribution.
You should know the program is openly Christian, but progressive and affirming of women.
Should you choose to contribute, please send a check to my church at:
Walnut Grove Baptist Church
7046 Cold Harbor Road
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
Please write CEDEPCA in the memo. If you feel like contributing, please post here to keep the thread alive and encourage others. It is not necessary to post the amount unless you feel you want to.
The funds will be handled by the church office. I will never see your information and you will receive documentation of your tax-deductible gift for your 2009 taxes.
We are going back in July. You are welcome to join us!
Please ask any questions that you have. If you would like I will give you my phone number in a private message.
Peace!
Jayson
