Activ8Her Activ8ed

In the last few weeks several Activ8Her chapter ladies were able to #restoregenerosity through REACH International's partnership with Marvelous Ways International and Lifting Hands.

This week we wanted to share this recap from Jody Armstrong, our Regional Chapter Development Coordinator.

Activ8Her chapter members (from left to right): Trish, Laura, Marie, Christina (Board Member), Jody (Oneida Coordinator), Barb (Activ8Her Board Chair) and Jess (North Syracuse Coordinator) recently returned from an amazing opportunity to serve a community in Cartago, Costa Rica through Lifting Hands and Marvelous Ways International.

Lifting Hands [www.liftinghands.org] provides an after-school program for kids ages 4 to 24 living in dangerous communities. The mission of Marvelous Ways International [www.marvelouswaysint.org] is to help compassionate people solve problems facing the young people within their communities. As a charitable organization, they provide the resources needed to vulnerable communities that have a burden for the young in their society. This includes research & development, start-up capital, and project implementation.

The Activ8Her ladies were part of a team of 17 from Abundant Life Church with a mission to bless the Los Diques center in Cartago, Costa Rica. Los Diques Center is a new location in a recently purchased building in need of a face lift. The team helped to show the community how much they matter by painting the entire inside of the building. They cleaned and organized the kitchen, added baseboards throughout, and refreshed the “garden” by weeding, laying sod, and prepping a raised bed for a vegetable garden. The afternoons were spent with the children leading a cooking class, outdoor play and games, and arts and crafts. The entire team walked away as blessed as the children, with many already talking about the next missions trip.

Jody shares, "These children live in homes with no running water, they may or may not have electricity, have no access to government help or food pantries and most churches do not welcome them. It amazes me that they are always wearing clean clothes, have clean faces and their hair is immaculate, to the youngest kid. They don’t have much, but they value and take care of what they do."

Thank you Activ8Her ladies of giving generously of your time, talents and treasures. We are certain you have made an impact on the lives of these little ones for Jesus. You were his hands extended.

Here are a few highlights from their time in Costa Rica.