Strong Missions

Casa
Costa Rica
Grecia
Strong Missions

keep updated with us at: STRONGMISSIONS.ORG Empowering Communities in Latin America.

28/05/2026

The English class at the high school serenaded the mission team with a little Ed Sheeran today. Their hearts were right. Ed's career is secure 😂!

27/05/2026

Howdy folks. The arts and sports programs we've had in place for over a decade have been shown to reduce the incidence of teenage pregnancy and delinquent behavior and increase students' chances of finishing their educations, becoming responsible adults and breaking the cycle of poverty. Unfortunately, almost no public schools have the resources for such programs. 🎼Music changes lives. There's nothing quite like it. It brings people together. It breaks down barriers and heals divisions. It helps keep kids out of trouble. Well, maybe not all of us rockers😁, but seriously, it really can make a difference in young people's lives.

We welcome our new music teacher, Carlos Gomez, a neighbor and one of my peers from karate training years back with Sensei Glauco. He is about to graduate with a music degree and now teaches in a private school. He recently approached us as he wants to give back to the community as well. Perfect, I was wanting to open a music program anyway, and was beginning to look for teachers. That's a total God thing! He'll be teaching Wednesdays, first a class with 5 to 10 years olds, an introduction to music, and then a guitar class🎸following for 10 year olds and up. We'll be looking to buy probably at least 10 cheap guitars in case anyone is interested in selling one here in CR, bringing one with on a mission trip, or donating $ for the cause. We think we can find them for about 90 or 100 bucks a piece, with nylon strings. Easy on their fingers. I'll find a good price and let those interested in aiding the cause know. We're excited about being able to offer this opportunity to the community and about having Carlos working with us.
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21/05/2026

Good family helps build character. Good peers help build character. Good role models help build character. Good neighbors help build character. Good teachers help build character. Good religious leaders help build character. Karate helps build character. It takes everybody working together.
Congrats to Luis Fernandez, karateka, former bronze medal winner in the national games, who was with me the first karate class I taught. Father of 2, devoted husband, finished his business degree a few years back and just finished his licensing with the university, Summa Cum Laude. That's right! You go, boy! I'm very proud of this young man. I remember him when he was still a super talented kid. Now he's a super talented adult. FYI, the plan is for him to take over as admin at the mission from Angela, as soon as is possible. She's way busy with her own new endeavor. Love you, Luis!

19/05/2026

Howdy folks. Just over 4 out of every 10 students graduate👩‍🎓on time in Costa Rica, without having to return to their studies later in life. It makes things more difficult. Then only another 2 out of those original 10 finish, adding up to just over 60% by the age of 40. Of course it's better if they can finish before all of adult life's demands come pouring in.
For that reason, our friend Oscar (Jimenez), kicked off the tutoring program for SOL last night teaching exponentials 🤔to a 17 year old young man from the neighborhood, Josue. His exam is Thursday. Oscar is a 4th Dan karate classmate and friend of mine and Oscar Solano's. I know...we have Oscars coming out of our ears. Diego's too. 🤣 Oscar is an engineer and we're really excited about this program and about having his help. It can really make a difference in these kid's future. Please keep the program in your prayers, and shoot them Josue's way as well for that exam Thursday. And don't worry, I'll have Anna explain the exponentials to me. 😁Thanks and God bless!
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17/05/2026

Those living on the street, living with addiction, living with public, structural and internalized stigma, and living without any consistent peace, are certainly among the least, and it seems clear to me that we'll be judged more by the way we treat the least and not so much by our differing individual beliefs. Matt. 25. Besides, things could have been different and that could have been me. 🙏

Today 12 of us from our new youth movement SOL ☀(Service, Organization and Leadership), young people, parents, and Oscar, prepared a hot meal for 27 of the homeless in Grecia as well as a few migrants from Venezuela, and delivered it downtown. We had young people running all over Grecia delivering into the hands of older adults, children, single moms, and some just really down on their luck. A heartfelt thanks goes out to Capacain: Casa de Paso Camino de Inclusion, for their guidance today and for their continued dedication to those without a roof over their heads. We had enough left over to feed another 10 or 15 people so Capacain is going to distribute it for us tomorrow. This day was a true blessing, and we look forward to working with Capacain regularly.

SOL then went out to break bread 🍞together, or in this instance, pizza. 🍕What a great day of service and fellowship. What a blessing it is to have purpose. Nothing could be better. Look for yours. 🫵You've got one, for sure. I guarantee it. Find it, it'll change your life!
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13/05/2026

My sermon at the service this past Sunday at Worship in Grecia, Costa Rica, the English speaking congregation meeting at Strong Missions twice a month. Come join us! I only preach once in a blue moon so don't let my preaching get in the way of you checking us out! 😁Sorry about the sound quality. It's on Luke's Beatitudes.

10/05/2026

Happy Mother's day from Strong Missions.
Pura vida and blessings 🙏🇨🇷!

02/05/2026

Howdy folks! It was a pleasure to have my and the mission's dear friend of 21 years, Rob Pavone, with us this past week. He accompanied and helped us with the youth hiking trip to the waterfall, he worked with Wilberth on a couple of homes for those in need, and we spent some great time talking and hanging out and of course, eating. I've met some fantastic folks over the last 23 years and Rob is right at the top. I'm very thankful to God for him and his family!

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28/04/2026

We have to come together to get things done. We need to get off the screens, talk, spend some time together, get to know each other. Our young people are planning and working and studying and they need time to get away, see the beautiful creation all around us, and just take it all in. We are so blessed to a part of this universe, to be loved by our God, and to have the Spirit dwell within us. We sometimes just need some quiet, some reflection, some time away from the negativity of the rat race to be able to get in touch with that spirit. It was a great trip to (Hidden Treasure Waterfall), in Bajos de Toro. The owner gave us 15% off for SOL☀️ (Service, Organization and Leadership), our youth program, and the transportation was provided by , the great transportation and travel agency we've worked with the past 23 years, free of charge. We appreciate them and a friend of the mission, Rob, who helped us with entry fees and lunch. Things come together when we all work to make a difference. We had a blast, without a doubt, and we look forward to more excursions and projects for this fine group of young people. Peace and blessings to all!

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25/04/2026

Here's one we took yesterday.😁Okay, but did just fall out of a book yesterday that I hadn't opened in a couple of decades. I love surprises like that. It's been a good 22 years.

23/04/2026

We are thrilled to have welcomed back our friends from Detroit Lakes United Methodist Church , who have visited us now for the eleventh time. Thank you for your dedication to every project, for your energy, leadership and kindness, and for sharing God’s love every day. See you next January. Blessings and pura vida 🇨🇷!

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Dirección

Calle San Jose
Grecia

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http://www.strongmissions.org/

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