Close X
  • Our Focus
  • Home
  • About
  • Ministries
  • Missions
  • Events
  • News
  • Resources
  • X

    Translate

    Close

    United Methodists of Upper New YorkLiving the Gospel. Being God's Love.


    news article

    Mission work in Costa Rica

    May 12, 2020 / By The Rev. Beth Bouwens, Retired elder of the UNY Conference

    Editor's Note: This article originally appeared in the 2020 Issue 11/Spring issue of the Advocate, which has the theme of "Being the hands and feet of Jesus." Click here to read the issue. 

    Costa Rica is often thought of as a vacation destination. However, I find it to be a place where I can serve with others to show the love of Jesus and help alleviate the extreme poverty in the country. Twenty percent of the population live in poverty, with an average income of $155 a month. One in four children live below the poverty line. Adequate health and education are challenges for many.

    In April, 2019, I led a VIM (Volunteer in Mission) team to Costa Rica with the McGraw UMC to serve with Rice and Beans Ministries.

    The base camp is just outside of San Jose—in the community of Alajuela. We were met at the airport by some of the staff and escorted to our living space for the week. Soon we gathered for a deliciously cooked meal and met the people we would work closely with for the week. Sunday morning, we had the experience of lively worship with the folks at Iglesia del Nazareno De Poás. I always wish my Spanish was better!

    Monday morning and each day, we started with devotions before we went for breakfast.  We began work on the construction project, preparing a dormitory for the mission to use to host future teams. On other trips, I have helped with building projects at area churches or repairing a home in the community. Some days we join students in area schools to teach VBS activities with music, stories, and crafts.  

    Each afternoon, our team packed food bags to deliver door-to-door in the neighborhoods. It is amazing that two pounds of rice, two pounds of beans, two gallons of powdered milk, and one pound of cornmeal feeds a family of four for one week. Currently Rice and Beans Ministries serves over 80 communities with food and prayer. The director, Fred Curry, would be the first to say—“It’s not about the food, it’s about the relationship.”

    One of the team members, Renee Lobell, shares, “The work we did in the short time we were there, had a huge impact on the lives we touched as well as those of us on the team. I enjoyed giving out the food the most because it was something we could witness up close and personally. Praying with the families, all in our own spoken language yet together, hand in hand, reminded me that we are all one in the eyes of God. We hugged; we laughed; we cried; we prayed; and in my heart I know we left the families with so much more than just a bag of food with some pretty decorations. We helped them see a glimpse of God in our actions and our smiles. I hope they never forget our visit, as I know I will never forget each of them.”

    Another afternoon, we went to a sugar cane plantation to deliver food and pray and met Nicaraguan migrants who had come to work the harvest. The workers earn in three months, what takes a year of work in Nicaragua. 

    Bettyann Miller, a team member who has served on several teams to Nicaragua remembers our visit, “It broke my heart when they asked for prayers for their families back home, for safe travels back home and safety once they reached there. One of the young men gently gripped my hand to pray and I could feel a huge cut across his palm (it felt like a machete cut that was just healing). I've been praying since, that he and his family are okay.”                                                                                                                

    At the end of the day, we take time to process our thoughts, feelings, and reflect on the question, “Where have you seen Jesus today?”

    Team member Renee Lobell said, “I saw Jesus work each day from the morning devotional, through the labors of our love on the dorms, in the time with the families, to the evening closing prayers. I saw God's love in Fred, the director, and his team as they worked through the details and activity of each day with such love and gratitude in hopes of making our experience the best it could be. I saw God in the beauty of the area we stayed, even though there were many areas where people were hurting and struggling to survive. I will forever cherish and hold tightly to the memories and the emotions I felt during this mission trip. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity.” 

    Serving on a mission teams stretches one in different ways. I find that in serving with others my heart overflows with joy.  When we say ”YES” to God we invite God to work in our lives in deeper ways.  In our serving, we find out about ourselves.

    “Participating in the Rice and Beans mission trip was a great opportunity for me.” shared Cathy Captuo, a team member. “I learned a lot about Costa Rica, the people living there, and their culture. But most importantly, I learned about myself, my faith, and putting my faith in action. This experience changed me. I began to reevaluate my life; my blessings, my possessions, my sacrifices, my faith journey. and my service to others…Mission trips are a great way to serve others, but you will gain way more than you gave.”

    Rice and Beans Ministries’ mission is to build relationships with the local communities and is a great way to bring people to Christ. By including the local congregation in construction projects, they form long-lasting relationships with these families.

    They have reached an understanding that a major part of what feeds poverty is illiteracy. To break the cycle of poverty, the ministry connects with area schools to provide school supplies and uniforms for over 5,000 students annually. 

    Please pray for Rice and Beans Ministries and the lives they touch. Check out their website at www.rabmin.org.


    With more than 100,000 members, United Methodists of Upper New York comprises of more than 675 local churches and New Faith Communities in 12 districts, covering 48,000 square miles in 49 of the 62 counties in New York state. Our vision is to “live the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to be God’s love with our neighbors in all places."