August 8-9, 2013: Day Six and Seven, Part I
The last two full days spent in San Jose were divided between the ministry Pearl Process and partner ministry with a local pastor in La Carpio. I will share Pearl Process in Part I and in Part II, La Carpio.
Through project Pearl Process, Operation Mobilization Costa Rica strives to support community development among the women of San Jose in the areas of spiritual growth by exemplifying Jesus. Pearl Process reaches out to women at-risk to poverty with limited opportunities for education, a lack of resources for employment and/or exposure to exploitation and subjugation. The ministry is also an initiative of Freedom Climb (ministry under OM USA), which supports international projects that work with at-risk women and children with a specific focus on the exploitation, trafficking, and enslavement of women and children. Currently, Pearl Process concentrates on two areas, sewing and mosaics, training and equipping the women to produce and receive compensation for their products. The ministry also offers workshops that advocate, advise and provide legal support, case specific.
Offering bible studies lasting barely ten minutes and more time teaching seamstress skills overtime evolved into two hour bible studies as the women grew in their understanding of Jesus developing a hunger to know Him more deeply.
Helga, expert seamstress with a desire to partner with the women's ministry, volunteers by passing on her sewing talents to the local women. Developing a marketable business from sewing proved difficult and through this the idea of mosaics was born, along with many women living in new found faith in Jesus, self-esteem and training.
Although the mosaics has become a marketable business, the women continue to gather under Helga's guidance to develop skills as a seamstress and study God's word.
Thursday afternoon we joined these beautiful women for a time of fellowship, devotion in God’s Word and presentation to learn more of Pearl Process. Julie planned a special ice breaker, in which I inwardly groaned. I typically escape to the nearest restroom about this time! Being trapped at the most furthest corner in a crowded room made me deal with my adversity to ice breakers. However, this was not your average ice breaker. I happened to be towards the end of our rather large circle, sixth to last, I believe, with approximately 25 to 30 people before me. The idea was to state your name and do a dance move….after stating all the names and corresponding dance moves prior to you! I’ll just interject here that I, along with Roshani who was two turns before me, “rocked” out everyone’s name and dance move with synchronized rhythm! Well, truth be told, Rosh was much more in step than I, but she had two less people to remember and is half my age!
Although the mosaics has become a marketable business, the women continue to gather under Helga's guidance to develop skills as a seamstress and study God's word.
(Weeks later I found my mind bopping to a tune mentally going around the circle remembering all the ladies names and moves. I have never enjoyed an ice breaker as much as this! It was very cool! So cool, I introduced it to my life skill middle school students the first day of school. They loved it and did amazingly well!)
Brian and Julie shared various aspects of Pearl Process ministries that included a video with testimonies from woman sitting in my midst. What an honor to meet the “fruit of the harvest” in the form of transformed lives! Hearing the continuation of the women’s stories, first hand, embedded them in my hearts for a lifetime.
Their chains are gone, they've been set free.
Our God and Savior has ransomed
through unending love, amazing grace
(paraphrase, my own, from Chris Tomlin’s rendition of
Amazing Grace by John Newton).
Amazing Grace by John Newton).
After a time of devotion, we broke into smaller groups for prayer, each of us sharing what we were comfortable with, many requests were lifted as one voice throughout the room. 
What happened afterwards warmed my heart as two women took my braced hand into theirs to lift up an addition prayer for healing.
We also shared a meal together. I love partaking of a meal with others. For me, gatherings are a special time to make memories through fellowship, amiable conversation and a delicious food.
Julie gave the team a tour of the tiny space where the mosaics are made, explaining the process involved in the designing and preparing of glass in order to create mosaics.
inside out.
Friday afternoon we returned to the OM Costa Rica office for a debriefing of the week that was rapidly coming to an end. We learned more regarding the needs of OM Costa Rica and projects to come. From ministry to mosaics emerged Business 4 Transformation (B4T). Pearl Process Mosaics is a business example of B4T. Future goals are to develop other God-honoring businesses involving partnership between entrepreneurs, investors and OM teams that “maximize social, economic, environmental and spiritual transformation in communities” (OM Costa Rica, Transforming Lives and Communities brochure). Businesses ideas such as a coffee shop are being discussed along with a site to board visiting mission teams. These Kingdom building initiatives not only provide continued skill training and income but work alongside the owner(s) to build the business in areas such as ensuring the idea is marketable, generates investor interest, etc.
After the presentation
Julie had a reflection exercise she referred to as the “swimming pool” and
placing cards outlining a pool area we were to think about where we were at the
beginning of the our decision to come to Costa Rica and then go to that place
card. Were we in the shallow end, deep end, diving board, spectator’s
room, changing room, café? I immediately stepped over to the “diving
board”. Everyone took turns sharing why they went to that specific
place. I really did not have much to share outside of I had been ready to
jump in, practically aching to be back in international missionary work.
Close to 20 years had passed since I had the accessibility to Mexicali, Mexico
from Southern California in ongoing relationship with the local church
there. Next, we were to go to the card that described where we were
today, at the end of the mission’s trip. I had to think about this for
awhile. I thought of selecting the “deep end” because I felt I was ready
to remain there. I considered the “spectator’s room” because I was doing
a lot of observing and with my arm healing often felt on the outside. I
could also remain where I was because I was ready to plan my next trip back.
Interestingly enough, I realized I was in the café. I shared how God told
me just weeks before leaving He wanted me to pay close attention because there
were certain things He wanted me to know and learn. I had much to
process. I was intrigued to hear the responses of others as they shared
their perception of the process and how each experience unfolded.
Through an array of events, spanning a five month period of time, I believe I
have experienced God in a bold new way. Occurrences in life may not
always be as it seems, but the God of Ages is the same yesterday, today and
tomorrow. Of that I am sure.
PRAY, CONSIDER, RECEIVE, SHARE
Please PRAY for
the at-risk women living in San Jose, Costa Rica and other regions in the world
where they and their children live in fear of enslavement, exploitation and
trafficking. Pray for ministries such as OM Costa Rica that are creating
resources and partnering with other businesses to provide opportunities for
entrepreneurship, skill training and income in order to support the women as
they gain liberty through self-sufficiency to provide for themselves and/or
family. Many people are in need of adequate housing, employment, food and
clothing without an anchor to keep them tossing and turning in the storms of
life. Far too many women and children, particularly adolescent teen girls,
are in danger of exploitation and human trafficking. People need to know
Jesus, the only One capable of restoring us to a loving God who can protect the
essence of self, the soul. Jesus is the Way, the Truth and
Life. Only He can reconcile our hearts back to God. Seek the
Way. Learn of Truth. Choose
Life. Please PRAY for the work being
accomplished through Pearl Process Mosaics, sewing classes and bible
studies. That God would honor and bless the efforts of the
missionaries, area pastors, local church, volunteers and others who
support God’s work through resources, time, skills and/or finances.
Pray hearts open to hear the Good News of God's plan to reconcile all
creation back to Him through His Son Jesus Christ. Pray for spiritual
growth among the women of San Jose, that they embrace their faith in Jesus,
fully trusting in Him. May we all not just believe in Jesus, but believe
Him.
Please CONSIDER giving, through donations or volunteer service, to OM Costa Rica and/or locally within your own community. Consider hosting a Pearl Process Mosaic party to promote the business by generating clientele that in turn will open up a need to hire more women providing more at-risk woman opportunities to earn income. Below are links to videos and websites where you can learn more about this God-honoring ministry fulfilling the Great Commission through service to the at-risk women in San Jose, Costa Rica and other regions worldwide.
RECEIVE the Lord's eternal blessing for your partnership in whichever manner He guides you in.
Please SHARE this blog with anyone you know who is interested in supporting and/or partnering in missions work, locally or globally.
PRAYER REQUESTS
- Julie Paniaqua as she works to generate business for the women by increasing clientele through marketing
- Brian as he works with establishing B4T along with director Alex Paniaqua and his wife Julie
- The at-risk women of San Jose, Costa Rica and their families
- An increase of orders for mosaics
- Purchase of sewing machines, tables and other seamstress equipment
- New initiatives such as a cafe
- Center for workshops, training, and boarding for mission teams
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT
Operation Mobilization (OM) –
OM Costa Rica (Spanish, Chrome translates to English) –
How to donate to OM Costa Rica (English) -
Note: In the additional information comment box type: “Donation for OM Costa Rica field #14500 Pearl Process, then specify, as desired, sewing equipment, tables, initiatives, building, etc.
View Chris Tomlin's Amazing Grace
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