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Costa Rica

Join us in Costa Rica this summer! We have an opportunity to come alongside the Lutheran Church in Costa Rica to show love and provide spaces where people can come together to worship, get legal assistance, learn skills to earn income, and most importantly, learn about Christ!  The Lutheran churches in Costa Rica are planted in areas of need and the church’s mission is to help at-risk populations such as refugees, migrant workers, indigenous people, and women.  Costa Rica is an amazingly beautiful country that is stable and safe…however, 20% of the population live well below poverty level.

What will we be doing on the Mission Trip?
We will be partnering with the Lutheran Church in Costa Rica to do church building and repair work and help the church expand their community outreach.

Kids-with-SSWe will spend the majority of the week volunteering, working side-by-side and sharing meals with the local people.  We will also spend a couple days experiencing adventurous activities as well.   We plan to surf and fly through the rain forest on a zipline.

We would love to have a group of at least 10 (adults and/or youth age 10+) to travel with us this summer to Costa Rica.  We encourage families to go on this unforgettable adventure together!


When is the Mission Trip?

  • Trip dates:  July 28-August 5, 2012

What is the Cost of the Trip?

  • Cost (not including airfare) includes project material costs,  in-country transportation, taxes, tips, meals, accommodations and all activities:  $1,600/person
  • We have mission letters and fundraisers planned that can potentially pay for most if not all of the trip.

Group-by-church-for-webAnswers to Frequently asked Questions:

  • You do NOT need any immunizations to travel to Costa Rica
  • Yes, you DO need a passport to travel to Costa Rica
  • Yes, there are bugs but not as many as in Minnesota!
  • Yes, it is safe to travel to Costa Rica – they shut down the military service in the 1970s and put the money into education.  It is a peaceful country.

Informational Meetings to Kick-off Trip:

  • Tuesday, March 13th evening at 7:30 (following the Lent service) by the fireplace
  • Saturday, March 17th at 9:00 am (Costa Rican coffee and breakfast in the cafeteria)

Girls-PlasteringHow do I get involved with this exciting Mission Trip?

Please contact Sue Hage at 612-296-2529  or email Sue at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to learn more about the awesome trip we have planned!

What if I cannot go on the trip but would like to contribute somehow?

  • Your frequent flier miles or points would be a great way to support this team as they put their faith in action and trust God to meet their needs.  Airlines that serve Costa Rica include American, Continental/United and Delta.  If you would like to donate your miles or points please contact Sue Hage at 612-296-2529 who will coordinate with the team.
  • You can give an offering during church and designate it as a donation for the 2012 Costa Rica Mission Trip
  • Do you have your own business representing products such as MaryKay, Premier Jewelry, Tastefully Simple, etc and desire to contribute a portion of sales?
  • Do you have a business such as massage therapy, chiropractic, photography, etc where you can offer your services for free-will offering that will go to the mission trip?

Robin's Nest Orphanage

2008 jamaica 06He took a little child and had him stand among them.  Taking him in his arms, he said to them, “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one who sent me.”  Mark 9: 36-37

We are very grateful to the giving hearts of Central, the ER community, our family, friends and coworkers for helping us honor our mission statement. Thank you for helping us soar above our goal of $4,125 in 2008, to aid with the construction of “Jake's House” and the monthly expenses at Robin's Nest.  The abundance of supplies you donated was received with thankfulness and many warm smiles.

2009 will be a difficult year for many people with the economic situation that has hit our community, our country and the world.  It is the goal of the Jamaica Team to provide Robin's Nest with at least one month's worth of food and operating expenses, which is approximately $5,000.  With your help, we can do this! 

Jamaica Team Mission Statement

With the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we commit ourselves to serve the children of Robin's Nest and we keep this verse in our hearts, "to love one another, even as I have loved you," in fulfilling the vision of Making Jesus Known.

Robin’s Nest website is:   http://www.robinsnestchildrenshome.org

Contact Carol Greier for more information

Mexico Mission

P2050174

David Nasser in "A Call to Grace" says, "If God has been calling you to a life of mission work, surrender today to live and minister among the poorest of the poor is to share the same address as Jesus." How powerful is that statement? As we enter the neighborhoods and visit with the families in and around Mazatlan Mexico, our call to stay is great.

In 2012/2013 our goal is to raise enough money to purchase a vehicle that replaces the worn out existing vehicle which pulls the Mobile Kitchen that the Vineyard uses year around for the feedings in the neighborhoods that do not have kitchen facilities. In addition to the purchase of the vehicle, the mission team hopes to raise enough money for feedings and purchase items for “Mama Bags”.

We are sending teams twice each year in January and October. If you have an interest in going or just interested in helping out with fundraising activities, please notify the church office at (763) 441-2363.

Feeding

We invite you to support our ministry by:

1. Making a donation for the purchase of a replacement vehicle that pulls the mobile kitchen

2. Filling a shoe bag in November to be delivered to a child in January.

3. Supporting us in the various fund raisers we do during the year.

Mexico Mission

Most importantly, offering your prayers for the families in Mexico and our team members.

Activities of the mission group January 2012:

  • Serving 960 hot meals in various different colonias of Mazatlan.
  • Mexico-Mission-2012-258Serving 360 hot meals and fresh cold water to the workers and families of the dump in Mazatlan.
  • Distributing 131 shoes and gift bags that were brought from Central Lutheran Church to Madero (a Colonia of Mazatlan)

Purchased and assembled 420 “Mama Bags” consisting of the following items:

  • 2 lb Bag of flour
  • 2 lb Bag of rice
  • 17 oz Container of oil
  • 3 oz Can of jalapenos
  • 34 oz Carton of milk
  • 7 oz Container of noodles
  • 1 Bar of soap
  • Bags2Cost about $7/bag. These items will feed a family of 4 for 4 days.

Through out the year Support to Pastor Dave in the town of Madero:

Cost about $50 (Spanish Bibles, Spanish study books, and other miscellaneous supplies)

Special Projects:

  • 2007 Mexico Mission gave $5,000 for the purchase of a mobile kitchen that is used year around by all mission teams
  • 2008 Mexico Mission gave $425 for the purchase of blocks to build a bathroom at the church in Madero.
  • 2010 Mexico Mission Gave $300 for a Super Bowl fundraising party at the Vineyard Church in Mazatlan
  • 2011 Mexico Mission constructed the floor of an addition to the church in Madero and purchased the blocks to build the walls of the addition. The mission team also gave $300 for a Super Bowl fundraising party at the Vineyard Church in Mazatlan
  • 2012 Mexico Mission gave $300 for a Super Bowl fundraising party at the Vineyard Church in Mazatlan

Mama-Bags3Fundraising events throughout the year are used to cover these expenses.

Philemon 1:6

I pray that you may be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of every good thing we have in Christ.