One of the unique aspects of the Baptist Blitz Build in Baton Rouge this year was the participation of representatives from Costa Rica. Pastors Nidia Rodriguez and Cindy Sterling traveled to the USA with ABC missionary Gary Bates. First they attended the GRR Mission Conference. Then they went straight to Baton Rouge, accompanied by Randy and Pat McNeely. They were part of the approximately 50 GRR volunteers for the first week of the Baptist Blitz Build. To the best of my knowledge, this is another “first.” God is using our partnership with Baptists in Costa Rica to do some wonderful things. Several years ago we had joint mission trips with representatives from GRR and Costa Rica joining together for projects in El Salvador. We have also hosted young adults from Costa Rica.

I hope you will join us for our Annual Meeting in Moline (October 3-5) where Mylinda Baits will be our keynote preacher and Gary Baits will speak at the GRR Mission Banquet.

This is Gary’s report of his experience in Baton Rouge.

“Who knew blisters could feel so good?” (Seen on a Habitat for Humanity shirt).

“They are turning the world upside down.” (Acts 17:6).

“You’re going where with whom to do what?” This was the reaction of some of my friends as I
explained my recent trip. I went with two Costa Rican Baptist leaders to a conference in the
Great Rivers Region (Illinois-Missouri) then on to Baton Rouge LA to build houses in a Habitat
for Humanity project coordinated by National Ministries of ABCUSA.

Traditionally mission has been viewed as the North (U.S.A) sending people and resources to
the South (Costa Rica for example) to share the love of Christ and help with buildings. This has certainly been a blessing to churches here in Costa Rica and Mylinda and I owe our presence here to the generous support of American Baptist congregations. But when the Great Rivers Region and the Baptist Federation of Costa Rica officially entered into a partnership, there was a desire on both sides that it be a two way street, a mutually edifying relationship. Having seen first hand the generosity and hard work of Great Rivers groups in Costa Rica, Nidia, Cindy and I were glad to be able to do our part and head to Illinois, then on to Baton Rouge. There we would build houses as part of a Habitat for Humanity building project coordinated and sponsored by National Ministries of ABCUSA.

More than 80 people from GRR participated in the build (about 50 the week we were there). We drove nails together, sweated together, spoke English, Spanish, and Spanglish, and ate
jambalaya as brothers and sisters in Christ. We met Carlas, the new homeowner (displaced
from New Orleans by Hurricane Katrina) who was putting in her sweat equity with a staple gun. She was surprised and overwhelmed that people from Illinois/Missouri and Costa Rica were helping her and her girls build a home. Her smile made the blisters worthwhile.

Pastor Nidia, Cindy, Randy and Pat McNeely and I were honored to open the week of
construction with a prayer of blessing and a hand washing for all the workers. On the last day
there were hugs all around and some tears and I couldn’t help but think that this is what I’d seen so often as teams had come to Costa Rica. It was an honor. We’re honored to be part of this relationship and thankful to GRR for helping to bring us to be part of a different kind of mission experience. In our own small way we got to help turn the world upside down.

We’re so thankful to the leadership of GRR and especially to Randy and Pat, Dr. John and
Laura Rollet, John Grisham and the churches for taking such good care of us. Thanks also to
Vickie Goff at National Ministries for her coordination of the project and to Dr. Aidsand Wright-
Riggins for his servant leadership.

Gracias,

Gary Baits
International Ministries Missionary in Costa Rica

This column in PDF - with pictures | Archive of Past Current Thoughts Columns

 

 

© American Baptist Churches of the Great Rivers Region
Permission to copy for noncommercial use is granted

Please visit us at  www.abc-grr.org