As most of you know, our mission team’s trip to the Roblealto Bible Home in Costa Rica last March was cancelled due to the pandemic. We had rescheduled our visit for February 27-March 6th of this year, but with a number of travel, vaccination, possible new virus strains, and quarantine uncertainties, we felt we had no choice but to postpone our mission trip once again. We remain hopeful that we can send a team in 2022!
Last year at this time, we sent money for our team’s service project donation and funds to pay for team members’ room and board while at Roblealto. This was money we had raised at the Evening in Italy event, the Pizza Ranch fundraisier and from donations. Since we weren’t able to be of service at Roblealto and with all that was going on with the pandemic, I really felt that perhaps our money could be put to good use in some way. I told the Bible Home director that they should use our donations if they needed the money. The director was SO grateful, as the pandemic caused so much added fear, anxiety and hardship for everyone. She said our donations were used to help purchase hygiene kits and food baskets for Roblealto families. By providing these supplies, the children at the Bible Home were able to go home to their parent/family every other weekend this past year. Food and hygiene kits were sent home with the children each time to ensure their families could eat and that their home was made more sanitary. This must have been a huge project to coordinate and fund throughout the year.
I receive periodic updates from the director and can tell you that she and the staff at Roblealto Child Care Association have worked tirelessly to keep children and their families safe this past year. They have been creative and resourceful to be able to meet the families’ physical, educational, psychological, spiritual and emotional needs. Including the Bible Home and four day care centers, Roblealto Child Care Association serves over 900 children and their families!
In spite of all the hardships the pandemic has caused, the staff at Roblealto remain extremely grateful for God’s enduring presence and gifts. Their faith is unwavering. They are strong, resilient, determined, and more committed than ever to serve the children and families in their care.
Here is a message from Pamela, the Bible Home director. “Thank you for your continued support and prayers… doors continued to be opened for the sake of our children and their families, for God’s plans in their lives are fulfilled and I know it is because of His people praying! GRACIAS!”
Ann Tiffany