What is CHE

When we were asked to come to Costa Rica, we were asked to reach unreached people groups of Costa Rica, through Community Health Evangelism.

Lets take a look at what CHE is all about

  

COMMUNITY HEALTH EVANGELISM EXPANDED

Community Health Evangelism (CHE, pronounced chay) is a multifaceted approach to Christian ministry that addresses the needs of the whole person—physical, spiritual, emotional, and social. It is not a funding strategy, but rather a training strategy. 

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THE CHE PHILOSOPHY

CHE equips individuals to be independent workers and evangelists in their communities. CHE’s training strategies that create this dynamic include:

Empowering people to do things for themselves. This liberates locals from the bondage of the welfare mentality.

Reaching the whole person. Some mission programs deal solely with the spiritual dimensions and ignore physical needs; others address only the physical. CHE addresses both.

Equipping leaders with skills to see their own community’s assets and to address multiple needs instead of compartmentalizing personnel (e.g., pastors ministering to the spiritual needs, doctors treating medical concerns, etc.).

Developing community ownership. CHE teaches people how to identify their own problems and find a way to solve them, using locally available resources.

Preventive vs. Curative.  CHE is designed to prevent diseases for individuals, families, and communities. By providing participants with knowledge concerning basic health principles and practices, it can promote optimal health within communities.

WHY IS CHE IMPORTANT?

The purpose of CHE work is not just breaking poverty or planting churches, though both of those things are accomplished. The real goal of our work is a transformation in lives and communities that is as deep as the human heart, and as broad as the whole range of the human experience in the world God made. We want Jesus to be recognized as Lord over all creation, and our development activities to reflect the depth and breadth of the kingdom of God. We are asking God to work in us and through us to transform beliefs and change behavior so that his peace, justice, compassion, and righteousness are reflected in the life of the communities we serve.

the above was explained by the Medical Ambassadors International.

So we have been here 29 moths, and  CHE is starting to take place in our ministry.




In two weeks we will begin our first training of trainers in Salitre.  We have spent much time in Salitre identifying community leaders, church leaders, and people who are interested in using CHE to reach deeper into the community where the gospel has not been presented.  We used a medical out reach to gain access into the community, and that helped us begin to build relationships.  

Please stand with us in prayer as we proceed.














One final emphasis, will be in May, when we take our trainers, with students from Southeastern, University into new communities.  Our prayer is that our nationals on the outside circles of these communities, will GO into the communities that are deeper in.  They will be armed with the a way to present the Gospel in a clear easy method.

Gallo Pinto

Gallo Pinto translates literally as the "spotted rooster", but every one here knows what it really is. . .

Gallo Pinto is the most common meal served in Costa Rica.

It is the beans and rice that they serve for breakfast. It is usually accompanied with plantains, a piece of toast, and some cheese.  It is also has a secret sauce, Salsa Lizano.

Making like the Tico's (Costa Rican's) has taken me some time to master.

And well some days, it still doesn't turn out right.

I guess it's like someone asking a girl from the south how to make sweet tea, you just do it.

But once you have had really good gallo pinto, you will want to make it,
even if you don't live in Costa Rica.

So here goes. . .  My Gallo Pinto

1 lb. of black beans

8-10 sprigs of fresh cilantro

1 small onion

1/2 small red sweet pepper

1/2 teaspoon of salt

1 Tablespoon of vegetable oil

4 tablespoons of Salsa Lizano

3 cups of cooked rice.

For the beans, if using dried, cover with water and soak overnight.  You can add some fresh cilantro.  Drain the beans and add fresh water to about an inch above the top.  Bring to a boil.  Cover the pan and reduce heat to low until beans are soft, about 3 hours.

Chop the cilantro, onion, and sweet pepper very fine.

Add one tablespoon oil to a large pan and sauté the chopped onion, sweet pepper and cilantro for a few minutes, until tender.   Dump in the cooked beans and the Salsa Lizano. Stir, and let it cook for about 3 minutes.  It should not get dry, you can add more bean liquid if needed.

Add the rice, and stir until well coated.  You can add pepper and salt to taste.  Lastly add some finely chopped cilantro.

Most Ticos serve with a dallop of sour cream.

then you are ready, and as they say in Costa Rica, Buen provecho!