Don Mundo Family Missionaries

 

A couple months before we left Costa Rica, we asked Don Mundo if he and his family would be interested in doing some missionary work in Coopevega.  Don Mundo fled from Nicaragua a year or so ago to find refuge in Costa Rica.  They live a very poor and humble life, but they live in peace instead of fear now that they are in Costa Rica.  We asked them to do some of our mission work because of their faithfulness in attending Mass, their joyfulness in our times of prayer together, and their eagerness to learn and grow in their faith.  They responded with enthusiasm and gratitude for “choosing” them for this role.  Our expectations for them were that they would host and gather for prayer with other families every Wednesday, that they would make home visits encouraging families to pray, and that they would invite and welcome others to church.  It was so inspiring to see on my visit back how Don Mundo and his family went above and beyond my hopes and expectations for them!

Before arriving for my visit in November, I had asked Don Mundo and the Pastoral Social group to work together to make a list of 20 of the most in need families to whom we could deliver food packages.  These packages were made possible due to the donations collected from the Rice and Beans Project.  While visiting Costa Rica, I joined Don Mundo in delivering the packages, praying with the families, welcoming them to church and listening to the struggles they are going through. It was a beautiful time serving alongside Don Mundo, his wife Patrona, and their daughter Raquel.  One of the homes we visited was about a 15 minute drive down a terrible dirt road.  I was blown away when I realized that Don Mundo and his family normally make these visits on  their bikes!  Raquel rides one while Don Mundo and his wife ride the other, with Don Mundo doing the pedaling.  Don Mundo is in his 70’s and suffers from a hernia.   

When asked how he does it, he shares that God has eased the pain since the day the Wednesday nigh prayer group prayed over him!  He asks God every day to give him the health and strength to do whatever he is asked to do to serve Him as a missionary.

Before we first left Costa Rica four months ago, there were three families participating in the Wednesday night prayer group. Now there are many more, because of Don Mundo and his family's efforts to go out and welcome others in.  They are walking with others in relationship: mentoring, encouraging, and sharing together the struggle of life.  Every day there are people at their house.  Some are children coming to play and color. Some are families wanting to spend time in fellowship.  Some are in need and asking for help.  Don Mundo and family are also poor and lack many things, but what they do have they share with others. They remind me of the widow in the Bible who gave her two small coins at the temple.  Don Mundo and Patrona truly give not from their excess, but from the little they have for themselves.  Currently, we are able to send financial support to cover their housing and a offer small monthly stipend, which allows them to spend their time serving as missionaries.

A highlight from my trip back was seeing the community of prayer they are building.  Every Wednesday and every Saturday long before prayer or Mass begins, families gather at their house just to be together. Then they prayer together and on Saturdays they all walk to Mass together, picking up others along the way!

I am inspired by Don Mundo, Patrona and Raquel.  I thank God for the fruit that they are producing in their own hearts and those around them.  I give thanks also to Karen and Chris, FMC missionaries living in Santa Rosa, for visiting Coopevega twice a month to guide the Wednesday night prayer group, where they model prayer and give formation to help this group grow in the ways of the Lord. Please join me in praying for protection over these families from the evil one and for strength to keep going. Please pray for wisdom for Don Mundo, Patrona and Raquel that in their humble background and lack of education the Spirit will enlighten them with truth that can radiate onto others.