Regional Synod of Canada - Reformed Church in America

Pioneer Christian Monthly

Date - May/95

Contributor - Marti Van Hoeve

Title - Costa Rica - A Tourist's Dream

Topic - Missions

Coasta Rica means "rich coast". In February 1995, seven Americans and seven Canadians traveled to this second smallest republic in Central America. They traveled not as tourists but as an eye surgical team organized by Medical Group Missions. MGM operates two week medical clinics in third world countries. All team participants are volunteers and pay their own expenses which are tax deductible.

This "Rich coast"is a politically stable country whose scenic land lies between Nicaragua, Panama, the Pacific and the Atlantic Ocean. [INSERT MAP] Costa Rica is a land bridge between North and South America where wildlife with characteristics of both continents are present. The country's vastly differing altitudes and weather patterns result in at least a dozen different climate zones with distinct flora, fauna and wildlife. The government, with help from world organizations like Greenpeace and Friends of the Environment, protect these treasures with a system of parks and reserves.

Visitors from many different countries are coming to Costa Rica. The minister of tourism claims that Costa Rica has the best organized national Park System in the world. The variety of birds, butterflies, wild animals and fish astonish visitors.

History and Government

Costa Rica was discovered in 1502 by Christopher Columbus. Spain generally ignored this mountainous territory. Settlers were faced with floods, hurricanes, poisonous snakes, tropical diseases and fierce Indian tribes. Colonists had to fend for themselves in living off the land and working it themselves. The lack of a feudal system and its isolation from other colonized nations help explain Costa Rica's strong democratic traditions and middle class social structure. This makes it unique compared to other Latin American countries. Costa Rica's democracy is 106 years old. Laws have been passed that establish national health, education, labour and property rights. Costa Rica is working hard to diversify its economy to pay for these expensive social programs and to get its infrastructure in place. Tourism and agriculture are the main sources of income. There is a conflict because of increasing production of ain exports (coffee, bananas, beef and cocoa) through greater use of pesticides and fertilizer which effect the environment directly. This can be said also of tourism. Big hotels and resorts infringe upon nature and wildlife.

Our tour guide claimed that Costa Rica is "Politically changing from pink to red" Squatters (people who settle on land without right or title) have more rights in the courts than farmers. Crime is increasing; especially petty crimes like pick pocketing. Costa Rica abolished its army in 1949. A national guard serves as a police force. Costa Rica boasts more teachers than policemen. Ninety-five percent of the population is literate.

Costa Rica is one of the most stable and peaceful countries in Latin America. It's last minor revolution was in 1948. The country did shelter Sandanistas before 1979 from neighbouring Nicaragua. Now it takes a conservative neutrality in world politics. Prestigious international human rights organizations have their headquarters in Costa Rica. Former President Oscar Arias (1986 -1990) took a decisive and responsible role in waging peace. His great efforts to bring warring parties in Nicaragua to the conference table won him the 1987 Nobel Peace prize.

Of my several travels this was the first time we could enjoy a day of sightseeing with a travel guide who was knowledgeable about agriculture. With help from some resources, now I 'know all" about growing coffee, cocoa, sugar cane, bananas; about rainforest, cloud forest, ecotourism, and sustainable tourism (see bibliography of resources).

The Eye Clinic in Bri-Bri

The first week the eye clinic was held in Bri-Bri in the middle of the rainforest close to the Panama border and the Atlantic Ocean. We were located in a nursing home where rooms could be converted to operating and consulting rooms. Perhaps the thought of a nursing home in a third world country sounds strange, however, the twenty three residents came from many different backgrounds; natives, Spanish, German, Dutch, and yet others Swiss. They remained here having come as young people and have no living relatives in that country.

The second week we worked in San Jose, the capital, in Hospital Clinica Biblica (Christian Hospital) which was quite a modern hospital.

Bri-Bri was named after a native Indian tribe, the Bri-Bri. It has its own language. Here we meet the Schlabachs, an Amish couple from Ohio. Ray is a linguist who is translating Old Testament books into the Bri-Bri language, while his wife, Susie is a nurse. They spoke to us about their experiences as they have been part of the area for almost 40 years. They lent a welcome hand with translating.

The residents of the nursing home were well-cared for by an America nurse, Kacy Everett. Kacy came to Costa Rica as a Peace Corps worker and chose to stay. She is not only the head of the nursing home but the only medical person in the entire community. Seven years ago she taught the helpers the basics of health care. One year ago telephone was brought to the area and Kacy got her first car. In all the former projects I took part in sometimes more than one third of the medical team became sick. Kacy's teaching had enormous effect as the food and water were very good and no one became ill. Medical care in Costa Rica is considered quite good in comparison to other Latin American countries, however that does not mean there is no need.

At the eye clinic, the general helpers usually worked in the testing area for near and far-sighted vision. Patients were screened for eye surgery only. Those patients requiring eye glasses were sent to their own eye doctors to be cared for. It was said that obtaining eye glasses took a couple of years and the people were required to pay half of the cost. The contradiction here lies in the fact that the private clinics were available for the people who had the money, yet health care is supposed to be free in Costa Rica.

Most eye clinics operated by MGM are full scale with ophthalmologists, optometrists and opticians on staff. An Ophthalmologist is a medical doctor specializing in eye diseases and eye surgery. An Optometrist is licensed to examine eyes and determine vision problems. While an Optician verifies and delivers eyeglasses using optical instruments. We had only two Ophthalmologists, five nurses and seven general helpers. The operations performed in Bri-Bri and San Jose were all successful. Cataract removal and lens implants were considered major surgery. Corrective eye surgery was considered minor. In all 39 major and 55 minor operations were performed. Patients and family members were extremely grateful for the improved vision as a result of their surgery.

The people we helped in this way brought us gifts of flowers, fruit, etc. The help we could offer in the way of physical healing was an important factor, yet the spiritual and emotional touch in the name of Jesus cannot be measured in statistics. Bridges were built and wails broken down.

I hope and pray the Lord will keep and give me the health and strength to do this exciting, rewarding volunteer work for many more years. I thank my church, MY family at home and in the Netherlands, my friends, and my pastor, Pastor Ron Sikkema and his wife Kathy, for all the prayers and encouragement they gave me.

I am not a medical professional, they are the heart and soul of Medical Group Missions. I have no illusions regarding the importance of my contributions but nevertheless I think I have been helpful. I would not trade the education I have received nor the friendships made with such unusual and interesting people for anything in the world. I wholeheartedly endorse what Robert Sherk recorded in his Journal of Medical Group Mission when he wrote "And Still They Come".

Medical Group Missions is located at 301-15 John Street North, Hamilton,

Ontario L8R lHl Phone: 905-524-3544

Fax: 905-524-5400.

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