We take great joy in serving a growing number of ethnic groups that are gathering in the Okanagan Valley. There are approximately 3500 migrant workers who descend upon the Okanagan Valley each year to work in the orchards and vineyards that surround us here.
Our ministry has focused on bringing Jesus to these workers and has included relational ministries, Bible Studies, internships and meeting some of the practical needs that these workers have in their lives. We also have had the privilege of travelling to Mexico on numerous occasions to serve internationally as well.
This ministry has been one of great joy to our church family and we have been privileged to form partnerships with other local churches to reach out and serve this important people group.
Our ministry is headed up by Grant Bogyo (along with Betty Bogyo) and if you would like to be involved he would love to share with you more about what is happening and how you can get connected. Contact Grant by phone at 250.490.0714 or by email. In his absence you can also contact Raul & Loida Garcia by phone at 250.276.3415. Loida, Betty and Grant are pictured above at the Thanksgiving dinner.
Noe Torres, a young missionary from Mexico is back in Penticton for his second visit. He has come to assist once again with outreach to Mexican migrant workers. He was here in 2008 for five months volunteering at the Alliance church; this is his first Christmas and New Year's away from home. Grant, a former missionary to Africa, Haitii, Mexico, and First Nations peoples in Canada, knows about the need for flexibility when dealing with different cultural perspectives. Noe appreciates that too. We challenged each other to a January 2nd New Year's dip in Skaha Lake. When we came out of the water, Debbie Ohama and friend were passing by. Missionaries may appear crazy at times... they are often just different in the challenges they undertake (and survive with laughter).
Ethnic Ministries hosted Thanksgiving Dinner on Sunday, October 9 for over 50 migrant workers, homeless or those who had nowhere else to go, including four young backpackers who wandered in. After dinner, the gym was well used with basketball games at both ends, one for the Mexicans and one for the kids.