Colonia Mar Thoma
Matamoros, Mexico
Infrastructure and Housing
Since 2010, a kitchen and bathroom facilities along with running water was constructed for each of the houses at Colonia Mar Thoma. The compound now also has two fully refurbished evangelists’ quarters and a fully refurbished parsonage. The colony is fenced and has a controlled access entry gate to provide security. Electric connection is available in the main buildings.On October 12, 2013, the Iglesias Mar Thoma de Matamoros Jubilee Chapel was consecrated on the grounds of the Mexico Mission by Rt. Rev. Dr. Geevarghese Mar Theodosius, Diocesan Episcopa. The chapel provides the facilities to have Holy Qurbana services at the Mexico Mission and also provides a gathering place for spiritual activities of the mission.
Education
The Mar Thoma church has helped a number of students in their on-going education.
- Eight students received assistance and have graduated with degrees in the fields of Engineering, Nursing, IT/Engineering, and Vocational.
- Twenty-four students are currently receiving tuition support. Currently students are enrolled in medical school (1 student), university (8 students), high school (8 students), and middle school (7 students).
- Thirty-five students currently attend grade school at the Colonia Mar Thoma School, which is located on the mission field compound and was started in conjunction with the Mexican state education department.
Food Assistance
Spiritual Development
Medical Assistance
Self Sufficiency & Economic Development
A number of programs are being put in place to foster self sustenance. A program called “Tree for Family†has been instituted. Fruit trees are planted in every household and they are asked to maintain the tree, thereby promoting the idea of growing and cultivating foods for daily needs.Economic development initiatives such as a tailoring institute and a seafood processing facility have also been implemented. In addition, a number of entrepreneurial initiatives have been taken up by the individual families with encouragement from the mission coordinators. An example of a successful entrepreneurship story is the convenient store at the entryway of the compound, which is leased by a family living at the colony and is run as a profitable business.
Future Plans
Future plans for the mission field include:
- Enhancing ongoing programs such as education, Manna, spiritual growth, and medical assistance that require continued support and development.
- Applying thought and work for developing additional jobs for the residents of Colonia.
- Identifying a full-time evangelist for Colonia Mar Thoma. This individual would manage the day-to-day administration of the mission field and would be able to continue to build out the spiritual growth activities at Colonia Mar Thoma.
- Transportation is a major hurdle for a number of programs at Colonia Mar Thoma. Reliable transportation is needed to ensure students are able to travel to institutions for higher education, access to basic medical care is available, and to help adults get to their places of employment.
- The children at Colonia Mar Thoma must travel long distances in order to complete their educations. A hostel with a safe, Christian environment and one which is closer to educational institutions is necessary in order to ensure that the children are able to complete their educations.
How You Can Help
- The Mexico Mission encourages all parish mission coordinators to consider planning a trip to the Mexico Mission.
- Financial support for the activities of the mission is also needed.
If there is an interest to visit the mission field or to support via donation, please contact the Diocesan office for more information. We ask that you continue to keep the Mexico Mission activities in your daily prayers.
Special acknowledgement for the continued hard work and dedication at the mission field goes to the Mr. P.T. Abraham, Local Coordinator, Mr. John Thomas, Program Administrator, and to the leaders and volunteers who have helped this mission work.