FRIDAY FARMERS MARKET

When there aren't a lot of opportunities to earn money, you have to get creative, especially when you're given the responsibility of feeding 25-30 men 3 meals a day.   

We are able to buy all of the other food for the men through the ministry.  The program men go to into downtown Quepos every Friday to set up, work, and tear down the fruit and vegetable stand you can see behind this picture above.  

In return for their work, the program leaves with 3-5 potato sacks full produce in return.  It is usually more than sufficient to get us through the week.  On an hourly rate, to the American and Tico (Costa Rican) eye, the math doesn't exactly add up to a fair exchange.  8-10 guys working 2 days is a lot of man hours in exchange for the produce, but we see the benefit of getting the men fed, keeping them busy, and serving others.   

Their work helps to feed their brothers in the program and they get to be a witness in the local community.  Quepos is a small town and there isn't a stand at the farmers market or local shopping that doesn't know who these men are.  

It's a very good thing! 

A "fair exchange" is a very difficult thing, whether in Costa Rica or the United States.  While the exchange may be a bit lopsided, Jimmy, the program director chooses to see the opportunity given to him and the men to have food and to serve the community.