Southwest Texas youth groups paint, grow, and share at Manu and San Martín
Thirty-three youth and adults from Southwest Texas Synod painted, planted, rollerskated and shared with ILCO youth as part of a July 8-15 visit aimed at learning more about Lutherans in Costa Rica and assisting in projects at ILCO’s Centro Manu retreat center.
The group included youth from three Texas congregations: Grace Lutheran, MacArthur Park Lutheran, and Christ Lutheran, all in the San Antonio, Texas area. Activities included Vacation Bible School with the children of San Martín, a rural community of faith with a strong Nicaraguan immigrant presence. San Martín youth also shared with ELCA youth in a rollerskating event and a special Christmas in July celebration. The Texas youth helped in a variety of small projects in Centro Manu, and also painted the interior of the church in San Martín.
The youth group was based in Centro Manu, a focal point in a recent synod-wide offering to ILCO in celebration of the 10th anniversary of the companion synod relationship with Southwest Texas. Improvements at Centro Manu are hoped to strengthen ILCO’s youth ministry and contribute toward financial sustainability.