Why Volunteer on The Mission? Read Randy's Story

What are some of the ways work of a volunteer impacts the Santa Cecilia Community? During my first mission trip I took was with Angie and her team to Saint Cecilia, we built a house for a group of three kids that were recently left with out parents after their mom passed away from cancer. Pastors Lucy and Ricky from the Fundacion Formavida Church in Saint Cecilia promised the mother that they would construct this home, so that all three kids could stay together and still be a family. The team of workers stayed at the church during the construction of this house since it was within walking distance of the church

Randy and a fellow volunteer painting the house for the children

The work was very hard, but extremely rewarding in several ways. I saw the impact that the Fundacion Formavida church is making in this community. The community has several social problems: There are many single parents with kids living in a very poor living conditions where alcoholism, drugs, and gangs were rampant in the community. The church is Christ’s light in this community, and they share His love to these kids, giving them a choice to better themselves rather than to fall into the vices and despair of these social issues. The Fundacion Formavida church provides breakfast, lunch and dinner to these kids. They help them with their homework and show interest in how they are doing in school to affirm their education. Most importantly, they love them by spending time with them teaching, playing, and praying with them. All of this love is has a powerful impact on these kids. I saw this first hand on the first day of construction.

What is the was the volunteer experience like? The team had a difficult trip to get to Saint Cecilia and did not get much sleep prior to the first day of construction, which was pouring the foundation of the house. All the materials had to be hand carried down a hill to the site. By lunch time, the team was exhausted and it did not look like we would get the foundation completed which was critical to the schedule since the concrete needed time to dry prior to building the house. Looking at the team and how much progress we made, I did not think it was possible to complete the foundation. However, after lunch, God had this covered. All the kids in the community showed up to help us. They worked tirelessly along side us and tackled much of the hard work, moving the concrete down the hill. By the end of the day the foundation was poured. It was truly a miracle but it showed how much the kids in this community love what the Fundacion Formavida Church in Saint Cecilia are doing for them. The kids appreciated the opportunity to give the love that they were receiving back to the church by helping with this project. It was great seeing God at work, and a good reminder when you are at your end of your limitations, God can provide."