Missionaries and pastors in Costa Rica are now using laptop computers donated by Southwestern College.
           
Bill Podschun, associate in youth and technology at First United Methodist Church in Winfield (FUMC), recently traveled with high school juniors and seniors and adult members of FUMC on a mission trip to Costa Rica.  The group delivered five laptop computers to pastors and missionaries in this Central American country and helped get them online.
           
“First United Methodist Church in Winfield has a long history of going to Costa Rica,” says Steve Wilke, vice president for planning and new programs at Southwestern College.  “A number of Southwestern students, before coming to SC and while attending FUMC, have gone on the yearly mission trip. It is a perfect example of the United Methodist connection at work. The college provided laptops, the local church provided the persons, and the pastors in Costa Rica are supported by the opportunity to use a computer. It’s a great team effort and everyone was blessed to be a part of it.”
           
According to Podschun, several pastors and missionaries requested the computers.  Podschun approached Southwestern College President Dick Merriman and Wilke about the possibility of taking some laptops to them.
           
“President Merriman authorized five laptops for us to take,” Podschun says.  “This is huge for those pastors.  They cannot afford to purchase their own computer.  It’s very exciting for them with so many resources available online.  It will be a great asset for them to research and prepare sermons and will really enhance their worship.”
           
For 13 years Winfield First United Methodist Church has been serving in Costa Rica through missionaries Rev. Marion Wood and his wife, Mary.  Woods was a pastor in Kansas many years ago.
           
“Jennifer Madrigal (Sanders) was on a mission trip to Wesley Rankin in Dallas when she mentioned she would like to go on an international trip after her senior year,” Podschun says. “Sarah Wilke suggested we begin with a Volunteers in Mission (VIM) trip for high school seniors to Costa Rica.” 
           
Podschun explains that FUMC youth have been frequent visitors to Costa Rica since then.  He says the trip had been an annual event but now is biennial. 
           
“We used to go every year with our senior high school students and other adults from the church until one year where we only had one senior,” Podschun says.  “We then decided to do it every two years and include juniors and seniors and adult church members.  It’s also difficult to raise that kind of money every year.  Ideally, we try to travel with 10-15 people.  The church has been very supportive of our efforts.”